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10 Questions with ... John Sebastian
May 21, 2007
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NAME:John SebastianTITLE:PDSTATION:KPLX - The Original WolfMARKET: DallasCOMPANY:Cumulus MediaBORN:Denver, CORAISED:Portland OR
Please outline your radio career so far:
Successful DJ, programmer, GM and consultant in CHR, Rock, Smooth Jazz, Classic Rock and Country in LA, Chicago, Boston, Phoenix, Washington DC, Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland, Nashville, Dallas and others.
1. How are things looking at the WOLF in Dallas so far? We see that the early numbers look good, congrats!
It's very early but so far so good. It's a tough country battle here but I'm excited about the challenge.
2. Do you feel like the WOLF brand in Dallas still has a lot of life left in it?
The Wolf brand is one of the best in the nation, in the country format or any other. The "sizzle" is still there, we just need a little more "steak."
3. Can you describe how the WOLF has changed since you came aboard?
We've streamlined the station to create an environment that puts the music on a pedestal and broadened the playlist to be much more inclusive about what country has the potential to mean.
4. The WOLF was known for playing a lot of TEXAS music: The Randy Rogers Band, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jack Ingram, Pat Green. What are your thoughts on that?
Every market has their local talent that has made it big or is on the verge of it. This market has more than it's share. We'll continue to play all the great Texas artists but they'll have to have great hit songs like any other artist.
5. The Southwest has always been labeled as one of the hardest regions, if not the hardest to work by the labels when it comes to working new music. Is that the case and why?
Country is very big in the southwest. Some of the most competitive battles in country radio are happening here. Perhaps that's why it's tough to cut through here. Every song is precious cargo when your competition is just waiting to take your listeners when you make a mistake. In some of the other markets, with just one country station, for instance, they can get away with taking more chances.
6. Can local radio compete with other choices like satellite, iPods etc., while playing what seems to be such a large volume of spots and from the programming side, how do you deal with that?
The new technology choices have a long way to go to compete with free radio. BUT, if we don't get smarter and more aggressive about our rate structure, sooner than later these other forms of music delivery will become more of a threat. We still have time to turn the tide. I'm confident we'll do what is necessary to maintain and even grow our share of the audience.
7. How does programming a Dallas WOLF compare with the Nashville WOLF that you did such a great job with at WSM-FM?
It's actually quite similar to the competitive situation in Nashville. Both markets are very strong and competitive country markets. Both stations in question are legendary stations that were a little down on their luck just before I arrived. And both stations have tremendous capacity to come back and take the top spot in their respective markets.
8. You just hired a great talent, Lisa Taylor for afternoons. Where are the new Lisa Taylors coming from? Is it getting harder and harder to find talent?
Lisa is a potential superstar for us, no doubt. I believe that cream rises to the top. There is more talent out there than we acknowledge. All it takes is intelligence, savvy, experience and most importantly a great attitude. I think that's the one ingredient so lacking in a lot of talent in today's radio world.
9. Looking back on your career to this point, what is your most gratifying moment?
That's like asking which child is your favorite. I've had major turnaround successes in several radio formats in many major markets. It's really hard to choose which one is most gratifying. But sticking with country, thus far it'd have to be taking WSM-FM in Nashville, recreating it as The Wolf and moving the ratings needle from dead last FM station in the market to the #1 country station in the most competitive country market in the nation. The whole team in Nashville deserves kudos for that achievement.
10. Before coming to Nashville you were in Lexington, and it seems like for a few years prior to that you were kind of quiet. Did you tire of the programming thing for a while and just need to re-energize?
No, honestly, after consolidation, I think a lot of radio companies were not looking for experienced programmers with opinions! John and Lew Dickey have the vision to give people like me a chance to shine in the new radio dynamic.
Bonus Questions
1. Do you miss the Chicago food and are you flying in deep dish pizzas and hot dogs?
I do miss the Chicago food but the cuisine in Dallas is pretty good too!
2. What would be your fantasy job outside of radio?
I'd love to be a professional basketball player!
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