10 Questions with ... John Hendricks

NAME:John Hendricks POSITION:Director of Country/Eclectic Programming STATION:Music Choice-based in New York MARKET:National COMPANY:Music Choice BORN:Kalispell, Montana RAISED:Montana & Spokane, Washington

Brief Career Synopsis:

Worked my through college as a 7-Mid Jock. Got a teaching certificate in the State of Washington, but radio paid more, so continued in the biz. Worked at KJR-Seattle, KUBE-Seattle, then the Legendary KIMN-Denver, which became KYGO in 1988. Began with Jones Radio Networks in 1989 as a personality and Programmer, then took on additional roles as Director of Programming for Great American Country (GAC) in 1997. Took some time off to be with my family in 2001, doing some consulting and other projects. Joined Music Choice in February 2005.

1. Can you be a boss and also a friend to your employees?

I'd better be! In this business, the person who works for you today could be someone who offers you a job later on. That's actually happened to me! Good thing I was able to be a friend and a boss, too. Same for him!

2. Of all the skills that you've gained as a programmer, which area are you NOT as strong as you would like to be?

Managing and developing a morning show. Humor is a very polarizing thing-what's funny to one person is insulting to another. My personal sense of humor is very eclectic, so I find it challenging to engage in mainstream humor.

3. If you are wearing more hats today, than say last year, what area is suffering, and what are you doing about it?

I'm not wearing more hats today, but different ones. Music Choice is so very cutting edge, that we're writing the book as we go. For example, I'm programming up to 20 songs per hour, where in radio it would likely be 10 to 12. The usual rotation schemes just don't work! I have to be creative and open to fresh ideas. And the new world of Video On Demand! Never before has "thinking like a listener/viewer been so important!

4. What do you think of National Contesting? Is it effective?

Sure, it's effective! When you can hit the air with creative, fun and HUGE prizes that would be budget busters if done locally. When I was at KIMN-Denver, we tried to develop contests that listeners can only dream of-like a dream vacation anywhere in the world! Or 15 minutes in a bank vault! Or win a trip around the world. However, I'm not hearing that kind of creativity in national contesting yet. I must say, however, that national contesting that is presented as a local contest is less than honest and runs the risk of becoming extremely negative.

5. Will the advent of Satellite Radio affect our biz? Explain?

I've been sounding this alarm since the 90s! When a listener can listen to 30 different music channels without changing the "station", that's a BIG problem for terrestrial radio. Add to that Music Choice, where you can literally program your own video channel on your television set! Wow! Everybody can be a PD! And wait until listeners find out they can listen to any and all NFL/MLB games anywhere whenever they happen! Radio is going to have to adapt very quickly.

6. Who are your programming mentors?

I've been fortunate. I've gotten to work with/for some of the best Programmers in the business. Gary Taylor at KJR-Seattle; Michael O'Shea & Bob Case at KUBE-Seattle; Doug Erickson at KIMN-Denver; John St John and Bob Call at KYGO-Denver; Kevin O'Neil at KZDG-Denver; Tom Watson at KXKL-Denver. Consultants like Bill Hennes and Rusty Walker have been big influences, too.

7. Who's your favorite air/personality not on your air staff?

I don't think there's ever been anybody better than "the Emperor", Lee Smith, KJR-Seattle. He had a cast of thousands every morning...and he did it all--solo!

8. What is your favorite radio station outside of your own market?

I don't know any Country station anywhere that has done so many things so right for so long as KYGO-Denver. Heck, they've even gotten better since I left! (There's no connection there, is there Joel?)

9. What's your take on current music? Is it as good as say, six months ago? Better than it was? Same? Elaborate please?

We've made incredible strides in the quality of Country music in the past 6 months. I think we're really onto something! We've gotten our "grit" back. We've re-instilled ourselves with pride. Look out for Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert. Oh, and watch out! We've got reenergized Country superstar Faith Hill back.

10. Favorite artist that you have met?

I've never met an artist I didn't like. Seriously! Maybe they all feel like they have to be nice to me, I don't know...but they are and I'm thankful. Now if you ask which artist I've enjoyed seeing grow into a Super Star, I'd have to say Kenny Chesney. I have so much respect for the way he's always worked so hard to get better and better. In fact, I doubt if he'll ever stop getting better.

1) Do you read.....everything? Books, Magazines, etc. Nothing? What's your favorite reading material?

I'm trying really hard to do more "recreational reading", as opposed to just reading the trades. Right now, I'm reading Dan Brown's "Angels & Demons", the precursor to "The DeVinci Code", which I finished a few months ago. Okay, so I got 'em out of order. Other recreational reading consists of "Backpacker", "Ski", and a few hobby mag's.

2) Do you have Musical Guilty Pleasures?

I love Smooth Jazz and New Age Music. Together with a glass of fine Merlot or Cabernet...what a wonderful way to relax!