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10 Questions with ... Jared Jeffries
July 5, 2005
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NAME:Jared JeffriesPOSITION:Music Director /Afternoon AnnouncerSTATION:KZPK Wild Country 99MARKET:St. Cloud, MNCOMPANY:Leighton BroadcastingBORN:5/8/67 Colorado Springs, CORAISED:Cokato, MN
Brief Career Synopsis:
Nearly 17 years in various markets. KYRS Litchfield, MN KRWC Buffalo, MN KLZZ St. Cloud, MN, WXPT Minneapolis, MN, KZPK St. Cloud, MN.
1. What got you interested in radio, and what was your first job?
I was one of those quiet types in high school who when I spoke everybody would turn and see if it was really me speaking. My first job was part-time overnights on the weekends in a town of about 1000 people in rural MN. The studio was a spin off of the main location and I was needed to be there to cover the licensed market requirement. We had just had a drought producing an infestation of box elder bugs so they were everywhere.
2. If you were just starting out in broadcasting, knowing now what you didn't know then, would you still do it?
Not quite, I would have gone to a university, junior or community college instead of the fast track through broadcasting school and try to learn more than one trade.
3. 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 are not a corporate radio station so from top to bottom we are a regular part of the community. Our shifts are live from beginning to end with a lot of interaction and our listeners are the stars. They choose the music; they do the interaction and play a big part of everything I do. The result has been nearly a 20 share from 6am to 7pm.
4. 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?
It amazes me how radio is still often the first choice and more companies need to play on it. Severe weather, new music, current, local events, when listeners need to know we are the first thing the listener thinks of. You have to make the listener's interest a priority.
5. What is the most unique characteristic of your market and your station?
We have a unique location. I like to think of us a stealth market. Technically we rank as 217 but considering our proximity to the Minneapolis area (less than an hour away) we could easily rank in the top 150. Because Country music has a rabid mid-western following, and because we follow our own way of doing things we are more on the pulse of what the industry is about.
6. If you could change one thing about the current state of radio, what would you change?
Corporations really need to localize and do more live shifts. Radio is a public service and television is becoming too sensational to communicate to anyone with intelligence. Radio can be the best source for the consumer because it can go anywhere and be a better part of the listener's conscience.
7. What are you doing better in 2005 than you did last year?
Each day I feeling like I am growing with the station. The audience has doubled since I started (we were averaging a 7 to 8 share now up to 16 in the 12 plus numbers) because our PD was able to fill in the empty spots with the right people and the machine keeps chugging along. I am a part of more people's everyday life than ever.
8. We're over halfway through 2005. What record surprised you so far this year?
"Pickin' Wild Flowers" by Keith Anderson really flew out of nowhere and has been huge with our listeners.
9. As an air-talent how has consolidation helped or hurt you?
It hurt me in a previous job because the decision making process was an absolute joke. People without on air criteria were making decisions for me and my PD was nothing more than a puppet who seemed to have nothing to do.
10. How often do you air-check your own shows? Is it mandatory that you run tape everyday? Also, can you honestly critique yourself?
I air-check at least once a week and I can critique myself because I can put myself in a position of the listener and ask what the heck was I thinking. I have been air-checking myself for years and it's the one way I did get better because early on I did not have a PD that would critique me.
Bonus Questions
1. You're stuck on a deserted island and you get to pick one artist to be stuck with you. Who would it be and don't limit it to our format?
Sarah Brightman, that woman is stunning!
2. You just won the lotto and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?
I will be taking my time with this so I WILL be seeing you tommorow...for now.
3. What "reality show" could you see yourself appearing on and why?
"American Idol" as a judge, my ex-girlfriend used to yell at me because a lot of times I would say what Simon says before he would say it.
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