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10 Questions with ... Marty Austin
July 10, 2006
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NAME:Marty AustinTITLE:MDSTATIONS:KHEYMARKET:El PasoCOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:5/30/78RAISED:On a farm
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Went from College Radio, to Small Market, to Medium Market, to Medium Small Market.
1. What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
My first job was accidental. I was in college going for an engineering degree, when one night, a buddy of mine couldn't do one of his shows. He asked me to cover, I did, and the PD liked what he heard, and gave me a shift. Voila, instant love. So I changed my major to broadcast journalism...and that's, the rest of the story. Oh, by the way, my buddy changed his major, and graduated with an engineering degree. How funny.
2. What do you think of National Contesting? Is it effective?
National contesting, can be effective, if the prize is right. I don't see anything wrong with giving the listener multiple chances daily to win thousands of dollars in cash, or a new Mustang, or even a big screen TV. Someone's gotta win it right? It can almost be compared to the lottery. Sure, chances are slim, but that doesn't stop people from trying. Running a promo saying keep it on KHEY for your next chance to win ten thousand dollars cash, can be very powerful to a listener. It can also be a great tool to create more TSL.
3. Will the advent of Satellite Radio affect our biz? Explain!
Absolutely, but maybe not as traumatic as some of us think. Just like the cable wars of the 80's, networks were frantic that cable would be their demise. When in all reality, it forced them to put out better product and to become more local. Viewers began spending more time in front of the television. More options make for more want.
We always go back to the basic channels like FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS, because they are local. With satellite radio, we are being forced to put out a better sounding station. More options get people to spend more time listening to their radio, rather than CDs or iPods or their cell phones. It is up to us to put out a better product to keep them with us.
4. What do you like best about your job? Least?
The fame, the glory, the pay. Ha!!! It's just something you love. There is no one real answer. The feeling you get when someone calls you just to say that you brightened their day, or you made them laugh is something that I really like. The least I like is the groggy feeling at 3:40 am when the alarm goes off.
5. What can we be doing with our station's web sites to better our stations as a whole?
Hum, I suppose web cams in the studios during live shows would be pretty cool. That way the listener can see the PD come in and throw stuff at jocks when they mess up!
6. What do you plan to do differently in the next year regarding work and family?
Well, with a baby on the way, a lot :) Not sure exactly how to handle the stress of being a father and how to appropriate my time between family and work. But ready or not, here comes mini-me!!! By the way, who is asking these questions? Just wondering.
7. Who are your programming mentors?
Throughout my career, I've really had only 3 people that made a difference. The first being Magic Mike at a station I worked at in New Mexico. He prepared me for the "real world" of broadcast radio. The second is Bob Pickett, out of Austin. Although I was there for a short period, he really did influence the way I approached radio. That guy knows his stuff. Finally, my current commander in chief, Steve Gramzay. He's been doing his best to mold me into what we both hope is a great PD someday. It's a tough job he's got, but he's really good at it.
8. Who's your favorite air/personality not on your air staff?
I'm a fan of Michael Savage. I don't necessarily agree with everything he says. But he's funny and he's very passionate. He brings his emotions to the table and isn't afraid of holding back. That's something I think all of us wish we could do a little better.
9. What is your favorite radio station outside of your own market?
I really enjoy listening to KASE in Austin. The jocks there are awesome and it is put together well.
10. What's your take on current music? Is it as good as say, six months ago? Better than it was? Same? Elaborate please!
I don't think it's changed much in the last six months, maybe in the last six years. Country is very cyclical. It goes from classic style, to pop style, and back again. I think nowadays, we're getting a great mix of music that covers the honky-tonk and the mainstream sound, especially between Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw and some of the newer fellas, like Dierks Bentley, Keith Anderson, Jason Aldean. The ladies of the format are stepping it up too, sounding, in my opinion, better than they ever have. Especially since it seems like it was the year of the comeback. Faith Hill, Jo Dee Messina, Tanya Tucker, good to have them back.
Bonus Questions
1. Do you read.....everything? Books, Magazines, etc. Nothing? What's your favorite reading material?
I love reading magazines. Playboy, (yes the articles too) Blender, Country Weekly and of course AllAccess.com. They are all good. Also, I'm a big Stephen King fan. If you haven't read the Dark Tower series, I definitely recommend it.
2. Do you have Musical Guilty Pleasures?
Who doesn't? If I didn't feel so darn guilty about it, I'd tell you what they are!
3. You are on a desert island...what 5 CDs are in you portable disc player?
There's electricity on a deserted island???
4. Describe your favorite meal?
Always fresh, always hot, always gross. REMOTE PIZZA!!!
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