10 Questions with ... Jon Manley

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Got my foot in the door back in 2002 and never said "no" to any opportunity is the short version. The long version is I began as a street teamer at KSLX in Phoenix. Became a weekender for KEDJ in 2003 (thank you Dead Air Dave and Nancy Stevens!) and did everything there from overnights to production to morning show co-host. Hired by Chris Ripley to do nights in Vegas at KXTE in 2010 but within 6 months I was Production manager/APD/MD/Afternoons. In 2014 I won the radio lottery and was hired by Garett Michaels to be APD and afternoons at the legendary KNDD in Seattle.

1. What stands out the most since joining The End five years ago?

Honestly, the consistency. We really got dialed in a few years ago and haven't deviated from the game plan since, and the payoff has been incredible.

2. What's it like working at Entercom/Seattle at The End?

It's amazing. Leslie is a great leader and our air staff makes being crammed in a tiny doorless office together somehow fun. Gregr is IMO the best solo morning show host in the business. Seriously, if you are looking for a template on how to do good solo AM radio, study him. Alyssa brings such a great energy and excitement for Seattle in the middays. And our night host Cody is the weirdest, in the best way possible.

3. Give us the 411 on The End and how the station is positioned musically?

Our philosophy is super simple. Play your favorite old song, then play your favorite new song, then play what is going to be your next favorite song. Rinse, repeat. I wish it was some sort of magical recipe that only I knew, but it's really that simple.

4. Tell us about your weekly Discover & Download feature and what is most important to you when deciding what new music to champion?

We spotlight a new song/band each week, spinning the song in each daypart and making it available for a free download on our website. Our song choices usually come down to- either it's a new song that we know we want to play and want to give it a little extra spotlight as we roll it out / we are curious to see how a song sounds on the air and how our audience reacts to it / the song rules but is probably not going to be a big radio thing, but we want to give a band like this some attention. It's also a nice way to loosen up the reigns, programming wise, and have a little fun experimenting with some stuff.

5. How would you describe your style as APD/MD?

Disciplined! No one loves taking chances on songs more than me, but the real trick to being able to do that, and to be given the trust to take chances is still always to know how to surround those songs with uber familiar songs. I call them load bearing walls, the RHCPs and Imagine Dragons of the world so to speak. Timing is also important, sometimes the most difficult thing to do is recognize a song's potential, then wait until everything else (the marketing/the tour/sometimes even waiting for them to be signed) lines up to maximize the opportunity.

6. What's Manley like on-air in afternoons from 3-7p?

I try to be the same Manley that's around when the on-air light isn't on, honestly. Let the music do the work, tell people where to get good sushi, try not to donk anything up.

7. What is your favorite part of your job?

<sarcasm_font>Reading the comment section on our Facebook posts. </sarcasm_font>

8. What do you like best about living in Seattle?

This city oozes music,

9. When you get back home to Wisconsin, what are your top priorities?

Cheese is my #1 priority, obviously. I'm also blessed to have a super funny family so I also try to spend as much time with them as possible.

10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

Coffee and Twitter.

You're a die-hard Pearl Jam fan. Explain.

When I was 12 years old I was waiting for my mom to pick me up from the mall. My friend made me a mixtape that had some songs from this new band Pearl Jam on it. For whatever reason, I heard "Oceans" and that was it for me, they were my everything from that point on.

You love craft beer, sandwiches, videogames, and 90's grunge. Share with us some of your favorites.

The best sandwich you can ever eat is prosciutto with fresh mozzarella, drizzled with balsamic, on a great baguette. I won't argue this. '90s grunge -- you know who doesn't get enough credit? Hum! Their first album is incredible. Craft beer - I'm a big pale ale guy, but honestly, if you are trying to get started with craft beer, just go to the store and buy whatever you can that's from Belgium. You can't go wrong. .Also, I'm a pretty big gamer and highly recommend the new Spider-Man game. #nerd!

Rank your sports teams in order of passion.

Top 5: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC, Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers

What are weekends like for you?

You can find me on a baseball or softball field pretty much every weekend from May-September.

Favorite new band in the past year?

Hmm...2018 where did it go? Nothing! They've been around for a while but I just discovered them this year. Their new album is fantastic, but their last one, "Tired Of Tomorrow" is a classic, you guys.