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10 Questions with ... B-Dub
March 3, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- October 2003-2004 - Nights, WYOK (Hot 104) Mobile
- October 2004-Sep 2005 - Nights WXSS Milwaukee
- Sep 2005 - 2006 - Afternoons WIOQ Philadelphia
- Nov 2006 - May 2008 - Weekends/Swing WRDW Philadelphia
- July 2010 - Present - Nights...then Afternoons...KUPL Portland
1) B-Dub! Congrats on being named APD/MD at The Bull- are you pretty psyched about this new chapter?
I am beyond psyched! I'm both excited and humbled to be able to step into this role at The Bull. Being part of the Alpha Team and working with Scott Mahalick the last 2 1/2 years has been the best experience I've had in radio. I'm thrilled to further that relationship, and cut my teeth in programming with the "Prime Minister of Twang". I'm also fortunate that I've been able to create familiarity with our record label partners, and get to know them. So after a week or so of getting up to speed, it's been smooth sailing.
2) Is it exciting there since the 'flip' to The Bull, and what kinds of fun stuff have you been doing in the market to launch the format?
It's been high energy since Day 1! We've hit the streets on a daily basis, and attract a ton of attention with our 30 foot tall Inflata-Bull, named Bodacious. We're a High-Octane Bovine with a Country Rhyme!
3) What makes your station, in your opinion, different from the competition?
I'd say superior talent, top-notch creativity, unmatched passion, stellar on-air presentation and imaging, no piped in shows or jocks, and a naturally fun and friendly staff. We both play the same songs, but it's what happens in between those songs that makes the difference. I believe that starts with management, and Larry Wilson, Bob Proffitt, and Scott Mahalick ran Citadel Radio that way, and now we're doing it here at the Bull, and Alpha Broadcasting. I'd rather have a team full of crazy off the wall fun jocks, vs. a hallway full of boring play-by-the-rules liner card readers any day of the week.
4) You grew up in Creswell, OR. What was that like?
It was nice growing up in a small town. I feel like I was trained for this format. Up until a few years ago there was one stoplight, and that was only because of the railroad that runs right through the middle of town. 4th of July in Creswell is the best though. Who'd have thought a Garbage Truck could be a parade float?! I'm not kidding, either.
5) You're in a gorgeous area, and I know you love the outdoors, so what do you like to do when you're not in the studio?
I love to take a drive and just listen to the radio. I find myself doing that a lot more since stepping into a programming role. I love watching the Ducks, Blazers, and am getting into Timbers Soccer, although I don't understand the sport for the life of me. I also enjoy hitting up the country bars and clubs in the area, and just being with the audience, developing those relationships that no amount of marketing can buy.
6) Is KUPL still presenting a lot of 'live' shows in the Ponderosa Lounge for Bull listeners? What do you have coming up?
We work with all 3 Major Country Bars now. The Bull is everywhere in Portland. We'll have a TON of concerts in 2013 in all three of them. They are all in different parts of the market, too, which makes it that much better to be everywhere. On top of that we have The Bing Lounge. It's a state-of-the-art LIVE performance venue right in our building. All the shows stream LIVE on the internet and get uploaded to Bing.com as well as YouTube. Darius Rucker came at 1pm on a Thursday afternoon in January and we had 36,000 people watching.
7) You've worked in places like Mobile, Milwaukee and Philadelphia-what's it like coming home?
I lived with the parents for the first 6 months. That was awesome. What adult doesn't want to move home with Mom and Dad after a Chapter 7 and a Divorce? LOL. In all seriousness, Portland was my Market 1 growing up, so being able to work here full-time is a dream, always has been.
8) As a former Top-40 air personality, what has the transition been like to Country?
It has been very rewarding. The entire Country format is awesome! The artists are down to earth, real people, and have a great relationship with radio. You don't get that in other formats. The artists feel obligated to show up at the radio station.
This is also format of honesty. If you don't get it, admit it. If you get it wrong, make fun of yourself and move on. Anyone can work in Country, but you really have to dive in and understand the life group to be successful.
9) Why do you think there are so many Top-40 programmers and personalities moving into the Country format?
There is such an opportunity to be creative, fun, and successful in Country. The format really needed a fresh, hip sound to match the artists emerging as superstars. This ain't your grandma's Country Western format. With Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, etc, Country is keeping its young edge.
If you'd have told me 5 years ago that Rob Morris, Jeff Kapugi, and Bobby Bones would be working in Country Radio I'd have thought you were crazy. Now that I think about it, if you had told ME that I'd be working in the format, I'd have thought the same thing.
10) Who are some of your favorite artists so far?
I really dig Dustin Lynch, and I think he's going to be a superstar. Also love The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, and I love the sound of Tim McGraw's latest album. He has really re-invented his sound, and it's awesome!
Bonus Questions
1) You're a food guy, and Portland has a great restaurant scene. Where would you take us if we were in town and why?
If it's your first time to Portland, I'd take you to Portland City Grill. The experience alone is worth it. 30 Floors up, you see EVERYTHING. It's stunning. Oh, I'm buying? Buffalo Wild Wings it is!
2) As a movie fan, who are you picking for The Oscars in the "Best Movie" category?
I heard Lincoln was great in theaters, but that's not historically accurate is it? *AIR HORN*
3) What's your favorite guilty-pleasure TV show to escape to?
When I'm stressed, I just pop on an episode of Dexter and wonder - totally kidding of course, but that show is awesome!
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