10 Questions with ... Jim Fox

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Backyard radio piracy at 14, "real" radio at 16, a few bad air shifts on a few good stations, Programming/Operations Manager stops in Fresno, Memphis, and Fort Wayne; Station Manager at KRXQ in 2003; launched KKDO in 2010. I feel grateful to have been able to make a 30-year career out of something I was doing as a kid for free!

1. How did you become interested in radio?

A friend and I got to visit the KLUC control room in the late-'70s as teenagers; we thought it was pretty cool how the DJ could cue up a record off the air and the song would instantly start on the air when he'd push a button. Plus, we loved music, so we built a pirate radio station in my backyard. I know, geeks -- It'd be several years before either of us actually got girlfriends!

2. What led to Entercom bringing the Alternative format back to Sacramento?

Active Rock, KRXQ was kicking ass and PPM had been kind to similarly formatted Alternative stations in other markets; so we figured someone's gonna do it; might as well be us.

3. What are your goals for Radio 94.7 in 2010?

Steal a few shares from KRXQ, a share each from a few other stations and hopefully bring some iPod users back to radio.

4. How will the station be different from KWOD?

KWOD enjoyed many successful years branded as an Alternative music station with a Rock attitude. RADIO 94.7 is for people who now find Rock's irreverence of the '90s, cynicism of the '00s and snarkiness trite. Musically, it makes use of its Pop sensibilities and appeals to that person who grew up on grunge, but has chosen not to wear flannel and bitch for the rest of his life.

5. What would an outsider find most surprising about the Sacramento radio market?

Maybe that it suffers from an unnecessary inferiority of not being San Francisco or Los Angeles despite being the capitol of California.

6. What part of your job do you like best? Least?

Best: Branding and assimilating into the group who are a station's target and serving them beyond the superficial.

Least: I feel lucky to do what I do!

7. How would you describe the music and imaging on Radio 94.7? When can we expect to hear air personalities on the station?

A Pop Alternative with virtually none of the imaging signature that's normally associated with radio. RADIO 94.7 is very non-radio.

We'll never hire "DJ's" nor "air personalities". We are, however, seeking people with radio experience who are capable of forgetting radio's stereotypical on-air break structure. If you can't break yourself of the habit of: "station name, call letters, back sells, I'm ____, (silly transitional comment i.e., 'speaking of pumpkins...')", then I beg of you! Please! Do not waste your time or mine by sending a package. Samples of teams are welcome, however. Think: "mini podcasts" with only relevant topical and/or music content. We'll handle the station IDs; you handle the stuff humans really give a $#! + about!

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

Spending at least some time with my wife and boys.

9. What is your biggest challenge with Radio 94.7?

Keeping it from sounding like every other radio station.

10. If you decided to completely change careers today what would you do?

Speaker of the House.

What are your hobbies?

Hiking, biking, and movies in Blue-Ray.

Last non-industry job?

Insulator -- I took a brief job wrapping duct and chilled water pipes to supplement my crappy radio wages in the mid-80s. The worst day in radio is better than the best day in construction!

First record ever purchased?

Edgar Winter Group - "Free Ride"

First concert?

Styx & April Wine; Aladdin Theater, Las Vegas

Favorite band of all-time?

The Beatles