10 Questions with ... Ian Camfield

1. Talk about your expanded duties on-air at Audacy. In addition to hosting middays from KVIL (ALT 103.7)/Dallas, you recently added middays at WDZH (ALT 98.7)/Detroit, mornings at KBZT (ALT 94.9)/San Diego, and mornings at KQMT (99.5 The Mountain)/Denver. How different is your approach for each market?

Every market has nuances you need to observe if you're going to get ahead. Some talking points are the same, but every segment I do is unique to its station. What Alternative means in DFW is different in San Diego. And KQMT in Denver is Classic Rock, so it's a whole other thing,

2.  What is a typical weekday like for you putting together four different shows?

Up at 4:20, in studio a little after 5a, then at least 90 mins of prep. Prep is the key because the challenge isn't so much hosting four separate shows a day, it's more that they all overlap. So, once I have content together, I need to get specific segments done by certain times. It's a system I planned and tweaked. Once I start tracking the shows around 7, it's nonstop, because it has to be. I am probably in studio for about 9 hours a day.

3.  How has your show prep routine changed?

I have a system to log what I do for each market. Some content can be used in all my markets, some can't. But every show flows differently, so I may do the same bit on different shows on different days.

4.  What are the challenges of doing four different shows each morning?

Getting everything done on time. They're in different time zones and dayparts, but they all overlap. I also have to focus on which station I'm talking to, because the schedule necessitates going back and forth between markets. I can't complete a full show for one market and then move on to the next. It's like a factory production line, with a lot of different stuff going on.

5.   You have been based in Dallas now for 3 years. How long have you been in the U.S. now and what was your biggest takeaway from learning the craft of radio as a teen growing up in London?

I did K-Rock in NY before returning to the UK in 09. I moved from London to Phoenix in 2016, then to Dallas in 2019.

UK radio is about 20 years behind the States, in terms of opportunity that may be a good thing. They still have salaried live overnight jox! But with a few exceptions their skills and practices are archaic. And there's a lot less emphasis on being competitive. You could take a very average U.S. programmer from a medium size market, put them in charge of some UK stations, and they'd look like a genius.

6.  You previously told me that you're unlike a typical British person and "That's why I don't get along with my home country." Please explain.

A lot of Brits will spend ages moaning about something, but then say "Anyway, mustn't grumble," and do nothing about whatever was annoying them. The UK is spectacular at being mediocre. I prefer more drive and striving for success. The UK just plods along, whereas Americans are more eager.

7.  Back to Dallas, KVIL ALT 103.7 has seen some exciting ratings grow. What can you share with us?

When I returned to KVIL it was ranking in the 20s and the 30s. In a year we've taken it to top 5 in all demos. Getting quite a few #1 months 18-34. There's a terrific programming team who I love working with. We don't have a magic formula. It's about understanding the market, playing the right songs and saying the right things between them.

8.  What is the one thing that has remained constant throughout your career?

Radio is like a horse race with no finish line, so it doesn't matter how far ahead you think you are, you can never get complacent. In that regard, I guess the one constant is, you're always looking over your shoulder.

9.   Your bio says, used to work with Ricky Gervais, drink with Lemmy from Motorhead, and he's scared of dogs! Can you explain on these 3 topics, please. My dog fear is like a phobia. I've never been bitten or attacked by a dog, but for as long as I can remember I've been scared of them. And size doesn't matter!

Ricky Gervais and myself worked together at Xfm in the late '90s. That's where he got a lot of inspiration for the UK version of The Office.

Lemmy and I got to know one another from radio interviews initially and became good friends. He was actually the first person who told me I should move to the States (where he lived for many years) because it was better. Any time with Lemmy involved a lot of drinking. It was so much fun and he was one of my favorite people. I actually quit drinking a little while after he died, cos I felt like I'd had enough. I'll have another Jack & Coke next time I see him.

10.  What are you most passionate about?

America

What are weekends like for you?

Brunch, movies, TV, gigs, sleeping,

Favorite food?

For as much as I genuinely don't miss England, they do something called a Sunday Roast, which is similar to a Thanksgiving dinner. That's always been my favorite.

Favorite drink?

These days it's black coffee

How often do you get back to the U.K. to see family and friends?

Rarely

Favorite new band over the past year?

There's a new band out of Fort Worth called Fugitive, who feature the guitarist from Power Trip

Anything else you would like to add?

I think this is enough.