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10 Questions with ... Kevin Jackson
December 1, 2009
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
PD at WTGZ/ Auburn, AL from 2003-present. Before that I had a couple of different stints in radio, and I did it kind of backwards. First, I started out at a 100,000-watt station in East Texas in the mid-'90s where I worked my way up to music director. After taking a brief side tour, I decided to go back to school and got involved with the multiformat college station, wearing different hats. This included doing news and sports reports, sharpening my on-air and computer production skills, working in different formats and starting a lunch hour show that is still a part of the station to this day.
1, What do you remember most from your first few days in radio?
What I remember the most is wondering if it was over before it got started. The PD who hired me quit just a couple of days after giving me a job as a part-timer and before I had even filled out paperwork. Luckily, that meant they needed people even more but for a couple of days I wasn't sure if I still had the job or not.
2. What are you most passionate about?
Music and the Boston Red Sox
3. What do you like the most about living in Auburn?
What I like the most is that even though there is a tough economic climate, the town still continues to grow and the people here have a real passion for the town and the university. It's also nice that we have very easy access to Atlanta for when I want to get to a larger area or see a show.
4. What is your biggest challenge at the station?
I'm sure it is the same challenge most people face nowadays -- doing a lot without as many resources.
5. Besides your label reps, what are your favorite resources for discovering new music?
Even though I have a lot of websites (including AllAccess) that I use to find new stuff or be aware of what is out there, my favorite resource still has to be talking with other people. I love having discussions with people over what they are currently listening to and why or finding out about some band or CD that I had not heard about yet. It's easy to do on the internet but a lot more fun in person.
6. What makes the station unique and stand out from the competition?
Quite simply, we play a lot of music that no one else in the area plays. I think it also helps that when we play a song, we are going to make sure the song gets a fair shot on the station. On the talent side, each DJ has the freedom to propose segments for their show that fit their personality and I think that can lead to more passion for those segments.
7. What are you most proud of since joining the station?
There are lots of things that stand out. but I am glad that we have been able to maintain a consistency to the music over the years, yet still surprise the listeners from time to time.
8. What do you like best about working at an Alternative station?
I've never heard a format where I love every song, but this one has the highest percentage of songs I like. I also like that we get to discover things before they get played out.
9. What music do you listen to when you're not working?
When am I not working? Actually, if I'm not listening to CDs or the station, I'm probably usually listening to sports talk.
10. What record surprised you the most in 2009?
The most surprising full length record to me was probably the Manchester Orchestra. I didn't really care for the last one but have enjoyed this one quite a bit.
Bonus Questions
What was the best concert you saw this year and why?
I had a good time at the Muse/U2 show in Atlanta. Being inside the inner circle about 15 feet from the stage gave it an extra level of energy I haven't had at a show in a while.
Last Non-Industry Job:
I had two at the same time: I was a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas and worked at Hasting's at the same time so I could also keep up on what was going on in music.
First Record Ever Purchased?
I believe the first record was the "Flash Gordon" Soundtrack by Queen, which started my trend of pulling stuff out of the bargain bin. First CD was Genesis "Invisible Touch."
First Concert?
Billy Joel
Favorite band of all-time?
The only band that I have about 80 CDs worth of stuff for would be U2, so I better say them.
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