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10 Questions with ... Kenny Wall
August 16, 2005
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NAME:Kenny WallPOSITION:PDSTATION:WRAXMARKET:Birmingham (#57)COMPANY:Citadel CommunicationsBORN:11/19/1965RAISED:Plumerville, Arkansas (Pop 724)
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Working at Hastings Books, Music, and Video.
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started at my hometown station in 1985. First fulltime job was at KQID/Alexandria, LA. Have worked in Little Rock, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Shreveport, Star System in Austin, Fayetteville, AR, and Sydney, Australia.
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Don't remember. It was a 45-rpm and it cost 50 cents.
FIRST CONCERT:
Willie Nelson and Delbert McClinton at the Pine Bluff, AR convention Center 1980.
FAVORITE BANDS OF ALL-TIME:
Don't have a clue. Too many to name.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
It just came naturally. I always spent a lot of time listening to my brother's records and I thought it would be cool to get paid to do it. There was an automated station in Little Rock that I listened to so much; I knew what song was coming up 90% of the time. It was fascinating!
2. You joined the station from Little Rock and had to re-build the station on a new signal. What changes have you made to The X?
About the same time the signal change came around, the morning show got a gig in Houston so we hired a new morning show, Beaner & Ken. We basically had a complete turnover in staff because the former PD did middays and the PM Drive jock quit 12 hours after I got into town. Mark Lindsey, the WRAX night guy, moved to middays, I picked up PM Drive, and we hired Amber Marie for nights. Musically, we did an auditorium test and re-focused the station to hit a slightly older target and started playing the hits.
3. What are you proud of from the Spring '05 Book?
All the research and hard work showed up with a HUGE June. I was getting crucified on the local radio geek message boards and this gives me a bit of vindication.
4. How big of an impact does the new signal have the station?
For one thing, we're hitting another potential 125,000 listeners. Regretfully, we had to give up our northernmost counties in the metro (population of about 40,000).
5. How has the music changed since you've taken over as PD?
We're more conservative and playing the hits. We are less concerned about "what's cool" and more focused on what works. You've got to understand, I'm the "Roberto Duran of Radio". Ears of Stone". I rely heavily on research.
6. What is your biggest challenge at the station?
Convincing everyone that what we're doing is the right thing to do.
7. What would surprise people most about the station?
How broad the station is.
8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without __________?
reading about college football.
9. What do you like best about your job?
It's indoors.
10. If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?
I would become a school teacher or a professional thoroughbred horse race handicapper.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
I love to cook. I also love golf, picking the ponies, college football, and laying on my arse watching golf, college football, and horse racing.
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