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10 Questions with ... Wes Poe
August 23, 2005
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NAME:Wes PoeSTATION:KSONMARKET:San Diego, CACOMPANY:Jefferson Pilot CommunicationsBORN:July 28 1978RAISED:Ottawa, Kansas
Brief Career Synopsis:
KJCS: Mid-days; Nacogdoches, TX 10/98-4/99
KTBQ: Afternoons; Lufkin, TX 4/99-6/00
KSLX: Part-time; Phoenix, AZ 7/00-9/00
KMLE: Overnights; Phoenix, AZ 9/00-2/02
KSON: Nights/Asst. MD San Diego, CA 2/02-5/04
KBEQ: Part-time/Swing; Kansas City, MO 8/04-7/05
KSON: MD/Noon-3pm; San Diego, CA (I'm back)1. If you were just starting out in broadcasting, knowing now what you didn't know then, would you still do it?
Yes I would and here's why; when I left KSON last year I had decided to try my hand at college and writing, I love to write but it wasn't enough. Radio is like a drug; it pulls and tugs at your shirtsleeve as soon as you step away. The only way I think I would get out for good, would be if the industry dried up and blew away. Then I would be telling stories that started, "remember when"
2. 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?
By being a real person, and putting compelling content on the air. I know that there are two types of stations. The kind that people listen to what the jocks have to say and also phone in to be a part of the show. Then there are the stations where the jocks are just providing a warm body to fill the chair and say the lines that are prewritten for the brain dead. I choose to be interesting and for my listeners to participate in what I'm doing.
3. If you were to leave radio today and choose another occupation, what do you think you'd like to do?
I would like to be a professional wine taster.
4. Who's your favorite air-personality not on your staff?
TJ McEntire Mid-days at Q104. She was a blast to work with. She is funny and a character, and who she is off the air is exactly who she is on the air (minus a few bad words) a rare treasure in the biz. She's larger than life and I learned a ton just by being around her, most importantly be yourself, not a, "DJ."
5. If you could change one thing about the current state of radio, what would you change?
I could be nostalgic and say get rid of consolidation, but it has done some good for the business, but then there are the companies who are not looking out for their audience's best interest. When the bottom line hurts the people who trust the product, then what is the point? If I could change anything, I guess it would be to take away the greed. Capitalism can be strong without sacrificing product quality. It's not just radio dealing with the effects of greed though; it's most of corporate America. I'm just glad to be somewhere they get that it's not just about the money it's about the people who listen and provide our ratings.
6. Besides Country what is your favorite radio format?
I'm a radio junky and I listen to everything, but lately Public radio is what I listen to when I need a break from Country. In a format where the meaning of the song is all about the lyrics, it's nice to appreciate music that speaks without words.
7. Have you listened to Sirius or XM yet? How does it compare to what we're doing on the commercial side?
I've only listened to the displays in Wal-Mart. I wasn't impressed, if you're a gadget nut then it might be worth having, but I'm not going to pay ten bucks a month for something I can get free. Commercials aren't that annoying to me and in my opinion that's about all they can really brag about.
8. What gets you upset at work and how do you channel your anger?
Relentless badgering really gets to me. I am someone who usually only needs to be told something once or twice. How do I channel the anger? A glass of red wine usually does the trick, along with a little meditation, and getting the hell away from whomever it was that sent me over the edge, for at least a little while.
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?
I use the internet in almost every aspect of my life so information is just part of who I am. If you work your phones, you can be relatable and not have to do extreme amounts of prep. I let my listeners be the meat of the show and let the ego take a break.
10. As an air-talent how has consolidation helped or hurt you?
I'm not sure it's hurt anything for me, but I think it might have vaguely helped. I know you have to be better than ever before, because the jobs just aren't there, along with the extensive computer knowledge needed now. Knowing the equipment has helped me and consolidation has facilitated the universal computer systems...
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?
John! which color would you like on your Vette! Red or Silver?
2. What's your favorite fast food?
Panda Express (Orange Chicken Baby!)
3. What "reality show" could you see yourself appearing on and why?
Maybe The Apprentice, if I could wear jeans and a t-shirt. I love getting inside the mind of the customer, which is half of what that program is about.
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