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10 Questions with ... Jerry Murphy
June 28, 2005
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NAME:Jerry MurphyPOSITION:Morning Show HostSTATION:WIOVMARKET:Lancaster/Reading PaCOMPANY:CitadelBORN:Denver, CORAISED:Everywhere
Brief Career Synopsis:
WBAM/Montgomery
WOVV/West Palm
WAQQ/Charlotte
WXLY/Charleston
WSFR/Louisville1. 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?
We know our audience!
My program director, Dick Raymond, affords me the time and opportunity to attend every fair, carnival, concert and sporting event in our markets. I talk to the listeners, ask questions about their lives, what they desire, their dreams and what pissess them off. We stay on top of these markets from politics to potholes.
2. 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'm afraid becoming less important. Not because of alternatives, but because of the unfortunate corporate dilution of our product. Unless we return to providing the creativity and imagination that makes this medium so unique and compelling we're in serious trouble. How long can we remain "compelling" with "10 in a row" and of course "The birthday game"?
3. If you were to leave radio today and choose another occupation, what do You think you'd like to do?
I'd be a social worker.
4. What was your last non-industry job?
I was a chemical dependency counselor from 1994-1997.
5. Who's your favorite air-personality not on your staff?
Tag Martin at RED 102.3 in Harrisburg is an amazing talent. Hot PDs include Kris Van Dyke at WUSY and Shannon Stone with Jones in Denver. Very talented people!
6. If you could change one thing about the current state of radio, what would you change?
I REALLY wish "corporate radio" would understand that personality radio is an art form. And like ALL art forms, they need to be nurtured, encouraged and appreciated to get better and better, creating a product of unlimited value. I don't think corporate radio understands creativity and creative people are a foundational asset of the industry. I challenge my brothers and sisters with the Ivy League MBA's to "take a gander" at American business history and see what happened to American corporations that continually diluted the quality of their products in an effort to improve the ever illusive "bottom line." There were some pretty severe consequences.
7. Have you listened to Sirius or XM yet? How does it compare to what we're doing on the commercial side?
I think we are in denial about how satellite radio will impact us in the near future. XM and Sirius are well aware of the doors we are leaving wide open for them to charge through. If the creative and imaginative foundation of commercial radio is allowed to continue to disintegrate just so we can jam in another stop set, or so "Buster the DJ" can read the celebrity birthday list, we'll have XM and Sirius circling like a couple of vultures ready to feed off the remains of some of the country's best radio stations.
8. What gets you upset at work and how do you channel your anger?
Watching my program director work 7 days a week 10 hours a day just to manage the mountain of corporate paperwork he's responsible for. I channel my frustration by trying to pick up the creativity and motivation for the staff and station, so our local management can provide unlimited billing hours for some corporate attorney.
9. In today's world of multi-tasking and wearing many hats, how do you find time to show prep and what sources do you use?
All great talent prep every waking moment. Observing "life on life's terms" provides endless insight, ideas and material. I really do love to prep. It's MY time, and I still get as excited as a kid does on Christmas Eve when I have great material. I have many, many great sources for prep, and I'll take them with me to the grave.
10. As an air-talent how has consolidation helped or hurt you?
The only talent that has benefited from consolidation, are those who don't have any.
Bonus Questions
1. You just won the lotto and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?
"Pack a bag Dick, we're going to Vegas!"
2. What's your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Well not lay in front of the TV smoking weed and watching Sport Center all afternoon if that's what you're insinuating...I mean work on my paranoia.
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