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10 Questions with ... Nate Deaton
May 22, 2006
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NAME:Nate DeatonTITLE:GMSTATIONS:95.3 KRTYMARKET:San JoseCOMPANY:Empire BroadcastingBORN:El Centro, CARAISED:San Jose, CA
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Worked at AOR KSJO San Jose as promotion department intern and moved to promotion director, 1984-1986. Worked at the Santa Clara County Fair 1987-1992, as Entertainment Director, Started at KRTY as Promotion Director in 1993, Moved to Marketing Director/APD in 1998, GM in 2004.
1. What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
My first job was a promotion intern at KSJO in 1984. I started as a Radio/TV major at San Jose State and realized I sucked on the air. Changed my major to PR and ended up in radio anyway. Two guys were responsible for me loving radio and I will be forever indebted to them; John Cotter and Jeff Siegel.
2. Can you be a boss and also a friend to your employees?
Of course. We have always fostered a family atmosphere here. We usually have anywhere from 25-30 staff members at concerts and station events. It is very important to like the people you work with.
3. Of all the skills that you've gained as a programmer, which area are you NOT as strong as you would like to be?
I have never been on-air until the last four weeks. I think it is important for programmers to have on-air experience. Julie Stevens (KRTY PD) and I are doing a new program on Tuesdays at noon, which is an On-Air Music Meeting. We play four new songs offer our opinion and take listener response. I sucked at first, but it is getting better every week.
4. If you are wearing more hats today, than say last year, what area is suffering, and what are you doing about it?
With the GM role as well as being involved with Music, the promotions area has suffered. KRTY has always been a street oriented station and my lack of time had led to some stagnation on that front.
5. What do you like best about your job? Least?
We are locally owned and operated, we still get to do real radio and have fun doing it. It is a great position to be in. I really don't have a least favorite job, I have the best gig going.
6. Who's your favorite air/personality not on your air staff?
I would have to go with either Michael J. at WPOC in Baltimore or Randy Chase. I worked with both of them at one time or another and they are just great jocks.
7. What's your take on current music? Is it as good as say, six months ago? Better than it was? Same? Elaborate please!
Better than ever. I have 18 records on my desk today I could play on the air and just simply don't have room. We play as many currents as anyone and the backlog is just tremendous. Plus the variety in the sound is very exciting for this format. From Rascal Flatts to Josh Turner and everything in between makes for a great sounding radio station.
8. Favorite artist that you have met?
Garth and I can't imagine anyone who has ever met him having a different opinion.
9. Most surprising record of the past 12 months?
That's easy, "Badonkadonk." On the other hand, Country Radio's lack of support on the past two Gretchen Wilson singles is also not only surprising, but disappointing.
10. Next Superstar Programmer?
Dave Kirth at KTOM in Monterey. He has a great passion for the music and his station sounds really, really good.
Bonus Questions
1. Do you read.....everything? Books, Magazines, etc. Nothing? What's your favorite reading material?
Daily newspaper, Stat Sheet from my 9 year olds Little League Team.
2. Do you have Musical Guilty Pleasures?
Still get metal flashbacks now and then,
3. You are on a desert island...what 5 CDs are in you portable disc player?
1) Scarecrow- John Cougar
2) Back In Black AC/DC
3) Garth Brooks Hits (I know that is cheating)
4) Golden Road-Keith Urban
5) Bat Out of Hell-Meat Loaf4. Describe your favorite meal?
A good ole-fashioned Pepperoni Pizza
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