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10 Questions with ... Brad England
June 15, 2009
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NAME:Brad EnglandTITLE:Producer/on-air hostCOMPANY:Sight Unseen ProductionsBORN:Wadsworth, OH, almost three-quarters of the way through the 1900sRAISED:Wadsworth, OH
Brief Career Synopsis:
WHLO-A/Akron (afternoon drive/production); Morningstar Radio Network (on-air); Word Records (radio promotion); K-LOVE Radio Network (Production Director/some on-air); CCM Communications (radio dept., overseeing "The CCM Countdown with Gary Chapman" and writing/producing "CCM Radio Magazine"; Music Choice (consultant for Christian music channel); "20: The Countdown Magazine" (writer/producer); WAY-FM/Nashville (part-time/fill-in on-air); ShareMedia Services (on-air fundraiser hosting); Lewis & Associates (freelance spot production/on-air fundraiser hosting); WLCQ/Springfield, MA (afternoon drive)
1) What was your first job in radio? Who were your early influences and/or mentors?
My first job was at WHLO-A/Akron. I started in July 1988. I got the job right out of high school so I scrapped my college plans to study communications; WHLO was paying me to learn! David Pierce did mornings there and left just before I started. He was definitely someone I looked up to as an air talent. Dan Popp (Colors Audio) was working in production at the time. If it weren't for him, I would have had none of the success I've had in production. Things he taught me over 20 years ago are still essential to the work I do today.
2) What does a typical day look like in the life of Brad England? Or how about a typical month?
Anyone who works freelance knows there are no typical days or even months! One day I might be working on a tour spot, the next I may be adding songs to Music Choice's Christian channel and the next I might be on a plane to a station to help with a fundraiser. But I like the variety that comes with what I do.
3) What are the greatest rewards of your job? What are the biggest challenges?
By far the greatest reward of my job recently has been my on-air fundraising work with Cross International. To go on the air and speak up for the homeless orphaned children in South Africa is humbling and life changing. I can't stop thinking about it, even when I'm not "on." And then to see people respond with their hard-earned money, it just leaves me speechless. I can't wait to get Home someday and see the results of that sacrificial giving. I'm sure it will blow my mind.
Biggest challenges? I think it's what everyone's facing these days: the economy. Work and income can be a feast-or-famine situation. Some months are better than others but (and not to sound TOO spiritual here! Ha!) I've found I just have to put that in God's hands and let him worry about it. Some months don't make sense on paper but he always provides.
4) Who is your favorite air personality?
I have a tie. They are Don Kroah at WAVA /Washington, D.C. and Dave Benton at KAMB /Merced, CA. I love their hearts and I love that there's not a whiff of ego or arrogance about them. Don is so stinkin' eloquent yet at the same time he's just a joker. But you always know where you stand with him. It's the same with Dave, just an amazing heart, so sweet and kind. And his transitions from what we're talking about into the next song are just flawless every time. I also think Lara Scott at The Fish/L.A. is incredibly talented and as nice as they come, so a three-way tie.
5) What does Christian radio need to do to break through to a mass audience on a more consistent basis?
I would say that we need to be innovators instead of imitators. Look at what a creative God we have, yet many times we find ourselves borrowing ideas from our mainstream counterparts. It would seem that if we truly have a relationship with such a creative genius, we would have the advantage when it comes to finding new ways to reach and maintain our audience. As society's attention becomes more and more divided, it's going to take every bit of innovation and creativity to hold on to what we have.
6) If you were just starting out in radio today, but you knew what you know now, would you continue forward?
I absolutely would. It's funny. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and start over just because it's been so dang fun. Looking back, there was such a simplicity and love for the business that I had, ya know, before moving to Nashville and becoming jaded. (Ha!) However, if I were just starting out in radio TODAY with today's rules and today's homogenization of the medium (voice-tracking, corporate ownership, etc.), I'm not so sure I would have as easy a time as I did in 1988. I really feel like I was in one of the last graduating classes, as it were, of old-school radio. I'm old enough to remember playing things from cart, reel-to-reel, cassette, LP, CD, etc., while also witnessing the advent of automation and DAWs within a few years of getting started. Amazingly, I got to cut my teeth by "practicing" during the overnights, really working things out. (I still feel sorry for whoever was listening those nights!) These days, a young person would be so lucky to have that opportunity. Most new entrants to this business are glorified babysitters, watching the equipment as board-ops and I think that's sad. They are the future of our industry.
7) If you could have any job outside the music business, what would it be?
Aviation. I would love to learn how to fly someday and if I could progress enough to make a living at it, I'd be thrilled. That or Conan O'Brien's personal assistant.
8) Any favorite or funny artist run-ins or interviews?
Interviewing and meeting Daughtry was a definite highlight. Those guys are crazy but also incredibly nice. I once interviewed David Meece in a stairwell at the Renaissance during GMA because it was the only semi-quiet place we could find. Laura Story was a really fun interview as was Kate Flannery from "The Office" (she plays Meredith).
9) If your dog Zoe could talk, what would she say?
Our Maltese/Westie mix would probably say two things: 1) "Why is daddy gone so much? Doesn't he know he's supposed to stay home and play with me?" And when I am home producing, 2) "Why do you play the same thing over and over and over?" She's a great production dog and lays at my feet here in the studio most of the time.
10) And how obsessed are you with Conan O'Brien? Come on, share the story one more time.
Not obsessed enough to stalk him but obsessed enough to give up my radio career to work for him. (Ha!)
OK, here's the story as short as I can tell it (more details and video proof available upon request): My wife and I were in NYC in March 2008. Our vacation just happened to fall during my birthday (honestly it did!) so we requested tickets for Conan for that night. We were sitting in the fourth row and I was on the aisle. After the first guest's segment they came back from commercial and suddenly thrust me into a bit! This was without any prior warning. The gist was that Conan was about to introduce the next guest and the camera kept switching to a shot of me. It made it appear that I was interrupting Conan. Conan started to get upset and told me to stop. (Of course, the gag was that I had no control). He tried to continue but my interruptions got worse, including music being played during my camera time as well as a megaphone being superimposed over my mouth. It ended with a pizza being delivered to me (as if I'd ordered it), except it was given to the guy in front of me. This was an amazing moment, not only to see my favorite late night host in person but to be in a bit with him on national television AND on my birthday!
Bonus Questions
1) Do you read everything or nothing? Do you have a favorite?
I would like to read more, but I'm not disciplined enough. I usually have several books going at once. Right now they are a few books about generosity and giving, and I just started "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. After a recent trip to D.C., I've been inspired to read up on Lincoln and Jefferson. I also love fiction, especially Stephen King.
2) What's in your stereo or on your iPod right now?
Brooke Fraser, Brooke Fraser, Brooke Fraser. "Albertine" is brilliant! I love the score for "The Dark Knight," too. Pure genius and fits the movie perfectly. I'm also digging the new Daughtry and Britt Nicole singles.
3) Do you have musical guilty pleasures?
I love the 80s! The more hair, the harder they rock.
4) Cat or dog person?
Dog, definitely. (See question #9) Smile
5) Describe your favorite meal.
Wow, this could go so many ways. It could be as simple as the #1 combo with root beer at Chick-Fil-A or as high-end as Hy's Steakhouse in Honolulu (amazing place and they shot some LOST footage there). I'd be happy with either one.
6) Stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want with you and why?
Hopefully the deserted island would be somewhat Hawaii-ish and the weather would be awesome (that's one). If you have that, a good book and an iPod (with unlimited charge) would probably be enough. Wait, is Wifi too much to ask?
7) Favorite TV program of all-time?
Of ALL-time? Hard to pick just one because I'm such a TV junkie. Ask anyone who knows me and they would probably say "Seinfeld," but if I'm being honest it's probably "The Andy Griffith Show." And I'm talking the early B&W episodes.
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