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10 Questions with ... Deena Blake
July 17, 2006
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NAME:Deena BlakeTITLE:MD/Night JockSTATIONS:WMZQ (KASE/KRYS/WESC voicetracked)MARKET:Washington, DCCOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:Greenville, TXRAISED:Honey Grove, TX
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I got my first radio job at 17 in Paris, TX. While at the University of Texas, I worked at KASE in Austin and voicetracked full time at Star System until it closed down. I did middays at KASE and continued tracking other stations. Eventually I moved to Nashville to do middays at WSIX. After a short stop at KRYS in Corpus Christi, I finally ended up here in DC. After all my moving, I'm still voicetracking daily shows for WESC and KASE.
1. What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I worked weekends at KOYN in Paris...Texas while I was in high school. My mom couldn't pry me out of that place. Bob Kingsley was my idol. I met him at Billy Bob's while I was in college and got my picture made with him like a total dork. He eventually signed it for me wishing me good luck in my radio career. Now I've got that picture hanging in my office, and get made fun of on a regular basis for being a Kingsley groupie.
2. If you are wearing more hats today, than say last year, what area is suffering, and what are you doing about it?
My social life! I never do anything but work!
3. What do you think of National Contesting? Is it effective?
That's up to the station and how they promote it. I've seen a lot of stations that see it as a burden and it probably comes across to the listeners that way as well. Yes, the chances of winning a national contest are less, but the payoff is much greater than anything you could do on a local level. After all, someone somewhere will win, and it just might be one of your listeners. Take it and run with it. Put your stamp on it, and promote the heck out of it. There's always the possibility that YOUR Sally Sue Listener will win a million dollars. There's an even greater chance that Sally Sue will get a diary.
4. What do you plan to differently in the next year regarding work and family?
Hello! I'm a single female approaching 30, don't you think I'm under enough pressure to start a family already? Actually, my goal is to really take advantage of the incredible situation I'm in at WMZQ. I am extremely lucky to get to work with someone like George King at such an awesome yet interesting market like DC. I'm a sponge that is soaking in everything I can, so I can continue to have a great career. I plan to make the most of everything WMZQ has to offer. There isn't a day that I stop to appreciate how extremely lucky I am to be here. (and yes, my nose is probably brown right now)
5. Who are your programming mentors?
I'm been so fortunate to get to work with some really great programmers since I started. I try to learn everything I can from everyone. I've really been able to benefit from working with people like Mac Daniels, Bob Pickett and Mike Moore. After less than a year of working for him, I've realized George King is my hero!
6. Who's your favorite air/personality not on your air staff?
Billy Greenwood. I was fortunate enough to work with him at WSIX in Nashville. I learned so much from listening to him in the afternoon. He's so great with using listeners on the air without sounding lame and canned. He's such a smart ass, too. I love that.
7. If you could add any one full-time position to your budget, with no questions asked, what would it be?
No questions asked? Ok...I'll take an assistant. Since this is hypothetical, can my assistant double as a personal trainer and dog sitter?
8. Favorite artist that you have met?
George Strait. He's the only artist that I've continued to admire after meeting him. He's so friendly and doesn't seem to take himself too seriously like a lot of artists. Even though he's extremely down to earth, he still has that superstar quality that just draws people to love him.
9. What's the biggest record that you completely missed on?
OK, I'll admit I missed the whole Dierks Bentley thing. I saw him perform in Nashville a couple of times just before "What Was I Thinking" was released. I didn't get it. I'm sure this won't be the last time I'll have to say "YES, I WAS WRONG."
10. Next Superstar Programmer?
I probably sound like the president of the Billy Greenwood fan club, but I really think he's got all the qualities of an incredible programmer. He always has great ideas for promotions and benchmarks that are so fresh and not the same ol' stuff we've heard time and time again. He's a forward thinker that is really great about embracing the changes in radio and making it work for himself and the station instead of fighting the inevitable changes of the industry.
Bonus Questions
1. Do you read.....everything? Books, Magazines, etc. Nothing? What's your favorite reading material?
If I want to fall asleep quickly, I'll pick up a book. I'm too impatient for reading anything that's not short and sweet.
2. Do you have Musical Guilty Pleasures?
I've been busted with a Britney Spears CD in my car. I'll have to keep those hidden better. I also LOVE trucking songs!
3. You are on a desert island...what 5 CDs are in you portable disc player?
Live #2 Robert Earl Keen
Golden Road Keith Urban
Jillbilly Jill King
#7 George Strait
Doggystyle Snoop Dogg4. Describe your favorite meal?
Texas smoked brisket and potato salad (somebody send me some, please!)
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