10 Questions with ... Jerry Wayne

NAME:Jerry Wayne TITLE:Director/Programming STATION:WXNR MARKET:Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville, NC COMPANY:Beasley Broadcast Group BORN:October 26, 1970 RAISED:Detroit

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Graduated from Spec's Howard School of Broadcasting in 1989 and started my first job less than a month later in Cadillac Michigan at WKJF. I was fired in less than 90 days, I thought I was all that and found out I wasn't. After several months working at Subway waiting for something at the cross town Top 40 I packed up everything I owned into my car and drove to Ft. Myers, Florida to stay with family friends and look there. I picked up the phone book and started calling radio stations. The next day I was hired at WIXI in Naples, FL. It was a syndicated Big Band station and I wasn't on the air, but I was working in radio and did everything from traffic to sales. After a year I moved pack to Michigan to work in Benton Harbor, Mt. Pleasant and then Detroit. Moved to Greenville, NC to do mornings and program Oldies WNCT in 1994 and stayed. In January 2007, Beasley promoted me to Director Of Programming to oversee six stations -- WXNR, WNCT A-F, WIKS, WMGV, WSFL.

LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:

Subway

FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:

Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger

FIRST CONCERT:

Huey Lewis And The News.

FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:

Van Halen

1. How did you become interested in radio?

Until Spec's Howard teaches radio and TV, I thought I would work in TV but I instantly realized I was not pretty enough for TV and I loved talking the wall.

2. What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?

I got to fly the Good Year blimp... Unbelievable experience!

3. What led to WXNR's strong Winter '08 Book?

My midday jock Blando is finally forming complete sentences and Mick's "Short Bus" in the afternoon is "Special." Oh yeah, our core artists keep throwing out hit after hit.

4. What has been the biggest change at The X in the past year?

We really haven't changed much. I think we've done an excellent job thinking like the listener and giving them what they want.

5. How would you describe the music and imaging on The X?

We have pretty strict policy on The X. Slow to add, play hits, and make sure it rocks. When some Alternative station thinks they are too hip to play a record, we'll look at it say, that'll work in our market. With imaging, my guys do a great job of creating it unique and edgy.

6. What would an outsider find most surprising about the Greenville New Bern-Jacksonville market?

Hog trucks, log trucks, and how freaking big the market is. It's always fun driving an hour and forty-five minutes to do a live broadcast.

7. What part of your job do you like best? Least?

Best: Being pulled into the production room by one of my jocks so I can hear yet another outstanding bit or promo.

Least: Paperwork and meetings.

8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without __________ ____?

My hour long commute.

9. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Be honest and don't kiss ass.

10. What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?

Hog truck driver or log truck driver.

What are your hobbies?

Being at the beach with a cigar and a drink.