-
10 Questions with ... Jay Harren
January 31, 2006
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Jay HarrenTITLE:Music DirectorSTATION:WNNX - 99XMARKET:Atlanta, GA (#10)COMPANY:SusquehannaBORN:10-17-72RAISED:West Palm Beach Florida
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Printing Company in Chattanooga Tennessee making box --1997
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started at 99X as an intern in 1997. I was in a band and wanted to get my record played. That didn't happen, but I got a good job out of it. Now that I'm on this side of the desk, I can honestly say I wouldn't have played my record either.
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
U2 - Rattle And Hum
FIRST CONCERT:
Was a Christian Rock concert by an artist named Rich Mullins.
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
U2
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I was interested in music first, and then my attention was turned to radio when I was in college in Chattanooga. I could barely get 99X on my car stereo, but when it did come in, I was glued to it. The music itself was one thing, clearly great stuff, but it was the elements between the songs that really stood out as special. I thought it had to be an exciting place, and an exciting industry to get involved with. When I listened to 99X, it hit me how creative radio could really be. It seems obvious now, but I was such a novice at the time, that it really had never occurred to me that radio could provide an exciting career.
2. What do you like best about your job?
Working with one of the smartest programmers in the business (Leslie Fram). It's like getting an Ivy League education, and getting paid for it...crazy.
3. Of all the things you've done at 99X, what are you most proud of?
Our Live X series. We just finished Live X 10, and it was a very proud moment for all involved.
4. How has 99X changed over the past year?
In the past year or so, the Alternative format seems to have split into two camps; one camp has essentially become Active Rock, and the other has truly embraced Alternative music. We're in the second camp, going back to our roots and discovering new innovative bands, while playing the gold that made us who we are.
5. What would surprise people most about 99X?
We're live 24/7, no voice tracking, ever. Also, Leslie and I pick all of the music, no corporate programming guru at the top of some mountain, it's just us.
6. Most surprising record of 2005?
Death Cab for Cutie's Plans really blew me away. I wasn't a huge fan before hearing this record. Upon hearing it for the first time, I fell in love with it. Brilliant song writing from start to finish.
7. What new bands are you most excited about?
Arctic Monkeys and The Go! Team are both doing some exciting things at the moment, their music really stands out
8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Seeing my newborn (Fiona) smile at me...
9. Besides your own, what is your favorite station and why?
Q101 in Chicago. Leslie and I were there several months ago, and we were both really surprised at how great the "Q101 on Shuffle" concept sounded on the air. What were once called "train wrecks" actually sounded really cool and refreshing. The I-pod has become such a part of our culture has changed the way people listen to music, unpredictability is ok, and Q101 really seems to nail it.
10. If you decided to completely change careers today, what would you do?
I might try my hand at A&R (not that it's that easy to just jump into). I've always been interested in helping the development of bands from the ground up. I tried management for a while, and definitely had my fill of that, A&R sounds like a fascinating gig.
-
-