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10 Questions with ... Pete Schiecke
April 11, 2006
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NAME:Pete SchieckeTITLE:Radio Programming ManagerCOMPANY:AOLBORN:Mt. Prospect, ILRAISED:Mt. Prospect, IL
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Gas station attendant in high school
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WPGU/Champaign (1996-1999) Program Director/Afternoon DJ
KPNT/St. Louis (1998-1999) Weekend DJ
KQXR/Boise (1999-2001) Music Director / Evening DJ
WXTM/Cleveland (2001-2004) Music Director/Afternoon DJ
AOL Music (2004-present) Label relations for AOL Music/Programmer for over 45 radio channels on AOL RadioFIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Huey Lewis And The News "Sports"
FIRST CONCERT:
Guns 'N Roses
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
It's a tie between The Verve, Type O Negative, and The Sheila Divine.
1. What led you to AOL Radio?
After close to 10 years working in FM radio, I became more interested in the future of radio. AOL Radio was looking for a new programming manager when I left my last FM radio job - so the timing could not have been more perfect.
2. Explain each of the Alternative and Rock channels you program?
I program over 45 channels on AOL Radio. Top Alternative, Xtreme Alt Rock, Brit Pop, Hair Metal, Anime Radio, Punk U, Death Metal, Emo, Metalcore, Adult Alternative, Christian Rock, All Metallica, Psychedelic, and Southern Rock are just a few of the channels I program.
The two Alternative channels that usually bring in the largest audiences are Top Alternative and Xtreme Alt Rock:
Top Alternative completely focuses on the biggest current alternative hits. There's nothing pre-2001 on the channel (We have plenty of other channels for that).
Xtreme Alt Rock's core artists include Godsmack, System Of A Down, Korn, Disturbed, Tool, Mudvayne, etc.
3. How do you stay on top of all the new music?
I listen to A LOT of new music every single day. I read all the emails from my listeners to see what they are into and want to hear. I also check out websites like Pure Volume and Myspace to discover bands. Additionally, I'm tipped off to new bands by my colleagues and through my friends at the record labels.
4. How do you gauge what music is working?
Listeners can rate any song they hear on AOL Radio. I keep track of the overall listener score - that's the most important factor that I look at. I also keep track of AOL Music video streams, Soundscan, the terrestrial radio charts, and online downloading statistics.
5. What part of your job do you like best? Least?
Best - I work with some of the most intelligent and hardest working people in the music industry. It's exciting to contribute to a large and growing entertainment medium.
Least - I wish I had more free time to do the other things I love (such as playing video games).
6. What is your biggest challenge?
Even though AOL Radio is growing by leaps and bounds every month, I am always challenging myself on how to grow our audience in innovative ways.
7. What would surprise people most about AOL Radio?
We have over 200 channels available FREE on the web - everything from Classic Soul to Japanese Pop to Romantic Jazz to 80s Alternative to New Age to a channel completely dedicated to Pearl Jam. We have something for EVERYONE.
8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
My wife.
9. What new bands are you most passionate about and why?
Cartel - Amazing pop-punk band. Their album "Chroma" is full of hits. Check out "Runaway" and "Honestly." Cartel has some of the highest AOL Radio listener scores I've ever seen.
Bullet For My Valentine - Great metalcore band with some really strong radio friendly songs. "Tears Don't Fall" is going to be big.
The 69 Eyes - Best live show I've seen in the last year. They're from Finland and have been around for a while, but they released their first U.S. release called "Devils" last year. Check out the songs "Lost Boys" + "Feel Berlin."
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - "Face Down" is already getting a monster reaction on AOL Radio.
Hinder - Best new straight-ahead rock band I've heard in a while - "Lips Of An Angel" + "Bliss (Don't Wanna Know)" have "radio hit" written all over them.
10. I know you are a big video game collector. Explain the Video Games Scores channel you program?
"Video Game Scores" is one of the many new channels I have created for AOL Radio. You can hear music on this channel from video games like Final Fantasy, Metroid Prime, Halo, Zelda, Castlevania, Kingdom Hearts, and more. The music is primarily instrumental.
I created "Video Game Scores" on AOL Radio because the music in video games is incredible, and I wanted to create another medium for people to enjoy the music. Video game music composers don't get enough credit for their creations. This is my contribution to expose their music beyond the games. The channel has been highly successful since it's launch with over 10,000 people listening each week, according to internal reports.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
When I'm not working, I'm either spending time with my wife, playing video games, or going to a concert. Right now I'm playing "Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" for the PC and "We Love Katamari" for the PS2. I'm also in the process of creating a podcast that brings the world of video games and music together.
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