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10 Questions with ... Jim King
October 15, 2007
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TITLE:Afternoon-Drive Air Personality, TV Host/Producer & Newspaper Columnist/PhotographerSTATION:KYKR (Kicker 95.1)MARKET:Beaumont, TXCOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:Frankfurt, Germany (US Citizen)RAISED:Germany, Italy, Wisconsin & Texas
Please outline your radio career so far:
KCHV Rock 93.7 Palm Springs, CA 1988 - 1990
KMPG Magic 102.1 Odessa, TX 1990-1991
KIST Santa Barbara, CA 1991 - 1992
KNFM, KCDQ, KRIL Odessa/Midland, TX 1992 - 1995
KECO 96.5 Elk City, OK 1995 - 1999
Kicker 95.1 KYKR Beaumont, TX 1999 - PresentAwards:
1999 National Association of Broadcasters Small Market Radio Personality of the Year Finalist (Marconi Award) - 1997 Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Non-Metro Radio Personality of the Year - 1998 OAB FinalistIn addition to my current afternoon-drive gig on KKYR, I host, produce, edit, sell and market my own local TV show on Fox64 Beaumont. I also cover local events with pictures and a weekly column for The Examiner newspaper's Entertainment Guide.
1) What got you interested in radio, and what was your first job?
While growing up, I spent hours alone or with friends in my bedroom listening to the radio or records and talking on a tape recorder. We were always coming up with little skits and doing silly things in that room or around the neighborhood. I think that's where my interest in radio started. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors degree in Broadcast Journalism, I headed west to Los Angeles, CA to seek my "fame and fortune." Anyway, after tiring of bartending and waiting on tables, I decided to try something else - so I entered broadcasting school. I attended Los Angeles Broadcasters (LAB) in Hollywood and it was a wonderful experience. I studied voice and articulation, learned about show prep and news, worked every format at the in-house radio stations, and all of the instructors were Los Angeles air personalities. Two weeks after graduating from LAB, I landed my first gig at KCHV/Palm Springs, CA - a Rock station. I started off doing overnights on the weekends and soon found myself hosting the mid-day show Mon.-Fri. Even though it barely paid the bills, I thought that I "had arrived" and it sure beat bartending!
2) If you were just starting out in broadcasting, knowing now what you didn't know then, would you still do it?
Yep - even with the ups and downs, it has been a rewarding career and I really love what I'm doing in Beaumont now. It's been well worth the wait.
3) In today's homogenized world of radio, how do you "localize" and how do you get into your listeners head whether they are on the job, in the car or at home?
For over eleven years, I've been doing "King of the Road" bits on my show. I attend virtually every community event recording sound bites with local folks. I edit the sound bites and make fun, brief bits out of them for airplay a few times during my show each day. People have always told me that they really enjoy them and the bits have become a benchmark for my program. I also use video from the interviews for my TV show. I attend between 150 and 200 local events each year - always dressed in my "King of the Road" getup ("Crownboy Hat" and custom made microphone "holster"). In Southeast Texas, I'm known as much for my public persona as I am for my radio, TV and newspaper work.
4) There are so many choices today. Radio competes with the Internet, TV, cell-phones, video games. How important is radio to the average person today?
Probably not as important as many radio folks like to think. Years ago, the general public thought it was a big deal to be on the radio. There are so many more choices out there today and the public's attention span has become shorter. However, I still believe that radio will be with us for many years to come and I'm really excited about the development of HD radio. Technology is a wonderful thing!
5) What is the most unique characteristic of your market and your station?
I feel lucky to be working in such a unique area with a rich history. Being close to the Texas/Louisiana border, there are a lot of Cajun influences in the Beaumont/Port Arthur area. I love the Cajun food, music and Mardi Gras. There are also many famous people that came out of this market. Those notables include country singers George Jones, Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Byrd, and Clay Walker - along with rockers like Janis Joplin, Edgar and Johnny winter and the Big Bopper (JP Richardson). Kicker 95.1 reflects the area's fun-loving attitude. It's a very up-tempo station with a lot of concerts and giveaways. We really try to keep it local and fun.
6) If you were to leave radio today and choose another occupation, what do?
I would continue hosting and producing my TV show. I'd also keep writing my column and taking pictures for The Examiner.
7) What was your last non-industry job?
In the early 1990's, I worked for a Los Angeles voiceover studio where I recorded world renowned astrologer Sydney Omarr for his 900 number. I did this for a year or two before getting back into radio fulltime.
8) Besides Country what is your favorite radio format?
Rock - I have been a rock fan since my earliest years. In Texas, it's not uncommon for folks to be listening to country one minute and rock the next. People around here can go from listening to Aerosmith or AC/DC to Garth Brooks or Dierks Bentley.
9) In today's world of multi-tasking and wearing many hats, how do you find time to show prep and what sources do you use?
I'm a big fan of country so I spend a good portion of my time keeping up with the business on GAC and CMT, AllAccess.com, LauchRadioNetworks.com and the monthly CMA magazine (Close Up), that I receive along with my membership.
10) How often do you air-check your own shows? Is it mandatory that you run tape everyday? Also, can you honestly critique yourself?
I have been air-checking everyday for years although I've never worked anywhere where it was mandatory all of the time. Every now and then, I'll sit down with my program director for a critique. After over twenty years of doing this, I think I can give myself a fairly honest critique.
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