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10 Questions with ... Vince Richards
May 31, 2005
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NAME:Vince RichardsPOSITION:Director of Rock ProgrammingSTATION:KTBZ & KKRWMARKET:Houston (#7)COMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:Yes, I was. Thanks for noticing.RAISED:St. Louis, Missouri
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
A cook at a fine Italian restaurant in St. Louis. I was in high school, just a few years ago.
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
KSHE/St. Louis (Programming Assistant), WQLZ/Springfield, IL (1st PD gig). WUFX & WEDG/ Buffalo (flipped it to The Edge). WLUM/Milwaukee, KKND/New Orleans (signed it on). KQRC/Kansas City, and KTBZ-KKRW-KLOL/Houston.
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Boston's First
FIRST CONCERT:
Foghat. The one thing I remember most about that show was the fog coming off the stage before the band hit the stage.
FAVORITE BANDS OF ALL-TIME:
Depends on the mood I'm in.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
Freshman year in high school we had College and Career Day. Radio was one of the fields that were presented. I was hooked.
2. What do you like best about your job?
Everyday is different. No day is the same and when I drive into work each day, I ask myself what is going to happen today. I feel very fortunate, because I work with great people, I learn something new every day. I look forward to going into work everyday.
3. What led to station's good Winter '05 Book?
Great plan, great staff, and great execution.
4. Of all the things you've done at The Buzz, what are you most proud of?
Rebuilding The Buzz in 2004 and seeing the huge success it has achieved today.
5. What is your biggest challenge at the station?
Maintaining the integrity of the radio station without negatively affecting the sales side of the station. We as programmers are not only judged by ratings but also revenue.
6. What has been the station's biggest accomplishment?
The rating success has been the biggest. Selling out Buzzfest on a continuous basis is another.
7. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Being disciplined. With so many outside distractions and influences, it's imperative that I be disciplined and not compromise the radio station for an agenda that is not what's best for the radio station. There are agendas inside and outside of the station that come into play each day. Being disciplined and always doing what's best for the station is sometimes easier said than done. For young, up-and-coming programmers that is the one trait that will make you a better programmer.
8. Besides your own, what is your favorite station and why?
KROQ/LA. Not because it's cool and hip to say, but because it's so tapped into that city and is a station that does its own thing without outside influences. On a whole, you can't pick up K-Rock in LA. and plug it into another city. It's so entrenched with the tastes and expectations of the LA listeners. That is what makes good stations, great. As programmers, if we are to copy anything from KROQ, we should all emulate that aspect of the station, not the playlist.
9. Biggest career highlight?
Taking KQRC in Kansas City to #1 across the board, Persons 12+, P18-34, and P25-54.
10. If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?
One of two careers. I would be an Architect. I love to build stuff. The other would be a Weatherman. I'd kick ass on the Weather Channel.
Bonus Questions
What do you enjoy doing for fun away from the station?
Having out with the family, attending sporting events, and people watching.
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