-
10 Questions with ... Jay Cruze
January 24, 2006
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Jay CruzeTITLE:APD/MDSTATION:WDXBMARKET:Birmingham, ALCOMPANY:Clear Channel CommunicationsBORN:Clarksville, TNRAISED:Boaz, Alabama
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WQEN (Now in Birmingham)
WZNS/Ft. Walton Beach, FL
WSSX/Charleston, SC
WZNY/Augusta, GA
...and finally my first country gig WDXB/Birmingham1) What got you interested in radio, and what was your first job?
I loved listening to the DJs on the radio growing up. I loved it so much I would mock them. At age 10 I was making demo's, my station was WDAM. My sister would sing my weather jingle "Here's your Damn Weather" and I would give the forecast and always close it out with and it's 84 on your Damn radio. My first job was running board for preachers on Sunday's at WBSA/Boaz, AL. Hell I was 15.
2) If you were just starting out in broadcasting, knowing now what you didn't know then, would you still do it?
Sure would, because my only other option would be ditch digger. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
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?
Our Promotions Director, Daniel is AWESOME at getting our van out pretty much every day. If there's a little league game, fishing tournament, or a grand opening of an envelope in our area you'll see him in the Bull Dually handing out bumper stickers. On air your jocks really have to connect with your P1's lifestyle. Do that and ALWAYS be there with Traffic & Weather and you can't lose.
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?
I think it is very important! Although I do think our BIGGEST competitor is the cell phone. Have you ever noticed how many people you pass on the road are yakking on those things? But if you're stuck in traffic what do you hit first? Hit the cell or the radio? If your station as a whole sounds local, music is dead on and you give them the service elements that are allot of times overlooked in our business, and you will find it makes a huge difference.
5) What is the most unique characteristic of your market and your station?
Our market is VERY conservative, but by golly it's a decent size town. People here just make it feel like a small one! People from Birmingham really would rather give you a hug than a hand-shake. As far as our station goes it has to be how close everyone here at CC Birmingham is. It's hard to find that these days. My only complaint is that Patti & Dollar Bill are stingy with their morning liquor!
6) If you were to leave radio today and choose another occupation, what do you think you'd like to do?
Golf Pro, but first I would need to get good at golf!
7) What was your last non-industry job?
Was a teller at a bank for two weeks. It was hell.
8) Who's your favorite air-personality not on your staff?
Big D & Bubba are AWESOME, Todd Berry at WDRM in Huntsville is the smoothest jock.
09) What was the first concert you ever attended?
Don't laugh, MC Hammer & Boyz to Men. Really stop laughing!
10) Besides Country what is your favorite radio format?
Rock, I love going to Pensacola just to hear TK101.
Bonus Questions
1) You're stuck on a deserted island and you get to pick one artist to be stuck with you. Who would it be?
Kimberly from Little Big Town... I LOVE HER BAD!
2) You just won the lotto and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?
Doug...hey buddy, it's Jay. Here's the Deal... (Inside joke, if you know Hamand you know what I'm talking about.)
3) What's your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Spend time with my two awesome kids.
-
-