10 Questions with ... Adam Jeffries

NAME:Adam Jeffries TITLE:APD/MD STATION:KJUG FM 106.7 MARKET:Visalia/Tulare #100 COMPANY:Westcoast Broadcasting BORN:Santa Ana, CA RAISED:Orange, CA

Please outline your radio career so far:

1992-1993 KGVM/Gardnerville, NV
1993-1995 KRNO/Reno
1995-1996 KWNZ/Reno
1996-2000 KBUL/Reno
2000-2002 XHCR/San Diego
2002-2005 KUZZ/Bakersfield
2005-present KJUG/Visalia/Tulare, CA

1. KJUG recently held Jugfest '08 and it was a huge success. Congrats! Tell us about that event and how it came about. This second year went markedly better than the first year, what happened and why?

Dave Daniels, my PD, had always wanted to do a country music festival where it was kinda like Fan Fair for someone who couldn't go to Nashville, with a chance to meet the artists and hang out and listen to country music all day. The first one last year went well, but the nighttime show was rained out. This year we got through the whole event, we had a great lineup and it was a huge success. We want to make this a yearly event and a destination event for surrounding areas and for artists too.

2. You spent quite a few years at KUZZ/Bakersfield, a legendary station owned by Buck Owens. What was it like to work at such a heritage station and for a Country pioneer like Buck?

It was a great experience. I was in awe when I started there. It was in Buck's later years so I never got to see him much, but his presence was still very strong. I always thought it was so cool when Buck happened to be out of the office when an artist came by. We would ask his secretary if we could take the artist in to Buck's private office complete with hot tub and small studio. His office had a very cool vibe to it.

3. Being the California boy that you are, what differences do you see in the Country music that your listeners out there want versus what works in any other part of the country?

Here in the South Central Valley of California our listeners seem to want the sound to be pretty country ala George Strait, Brad Paisley, Josh Turner, etc. Sometimes we hear a song and think "That's a Jug song" which means our listeners would probably really like it. I think in bigger markets they tend to play a little more pop flavored country.

4. What three songs would you say had a profound effect on your life? Why?

"Rock You Like A Hurricane" by the Scorpions. That was my first concert.

"Love Me" by Collin Raye, the song that got me hooked on listening to Country music.

"How Much I Feel" by Ambrosia. My wife used to request that song at the Soft Rock station I worked at when we were dating.

5. You worked in San Diego then moved north to Bakersfield and then on to Visalia/Tulare. What are some of the biggest differences in your listeners and the music they want to hear as you have moved farther north?

It's always amazed me that Country CD sales were so low in San Diego for a market it's size. Even though Country was #1 in the ratings for a long time in San Diego during the days of Mike Sheperd and now back at #1 under John Marks. When I was in San Diego I thought the listeners were more a little more passive compared to what I have experienced in Bakersfield and Visalia/Tulare. Also see question #3.

6. You have a lovely wife, Noele, and two little boys, Adam and Micah. What do y'all do as a family when you have spare time? What do you like to do if you have an afternoon to yourself?

We visit my mom, sisters, nephews and nieces in Southern California a lot. Adam & I like to watch NASCAR he's a HUGE Jimmy Johnson fan. If I'm home alone I usually watch TV or a movie or take a nap.

7. If Adam or Micah came to you when they were a bit older and told you that they wanted to pursue a career in radio, what would you say?

I'd let them do what they wanted to do, but I'd caution them on some of the downside and pitfalls of radio. I'd tell them to definitely try to work for a single owner.

8. There is a lot of new music out there right now. What is really exciting you?

The new James Otto CD is really good. The Lost Trailers were killer live at Jugfest. Both Dave and I really like the new Zac Brown Band-"Chicken Fried" and the new Carolina Rain- "American Radio."

9. If you had not chosen radio and music as a career, what would you most likely be doing today?

I started out in college to be a Youth Pastor, so maybe I'd be doing that.

10. It we were coming to Visalia/Tulare for one day and you were our tour guide where would you take us?

Probably take you to the restaurant Valhalla for breakfast, drive to Lake Kaweah for the day, come back and eat at El Tarasco for dinner, then go to a Visalia Oaks minor league baseball game.

1. I'm sure you have had a few of those "wow, this is so cool, I have the best job ever" moments in your career. Tell us about one that really sticks out in your mind.

When I was at KUZZ, Josh Turner was playing the Crystal Palace and Buck Owens was going to present him with a special red, white and blue electric guitar with special engraving on it from Buck to Josh. Buck got sick that night so I got to present it to Josh. It was a very cool moment for me.

2. If you could give record reps one piece of advice that would really help out the radio guys what would it be?

Don't call our play list into question when trying to get your song on our station.

3. Pick one song that you really believed in during your radio career that never made it as a hit.

"Papa Bear" by Keith Harling. I still love that song.