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10 Questions with ... Alek Halverson
November 2, 2021
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
It was a bit of a reunion when iHeartMedia Country KASE/Austin afternoon host Alek Halverson sat down with All Access Associate Editor Shawn Reed for the latest 10 Questions, after having worked together in Fargo, ND earlier in their careers. Prior to his current role, Halverson was APD/MD/afternoon host (and later acting PD) at Country KKWF (100.7 The Wolf)/Seattle. Before joining KKWF in 2019, he served as APD/MD/afternoon host at Adult Top 40 KLTA/Fargo, ND, and previously hosted nights at Country KBVB (Bob FM)/Fargo.
In addition to his job at KASE, Halverson is APD of sister stations Top 40 KHFI (96.7 Kiss FM) and Top 40/Rhythmic KPEZ (102.3 The Beat). He can also be heard in overnights on Top 40 WWPW (Power 96.1)/Atlanta.
1. Your dad is in radio, and you grew up in the industry. What’s the one thing you learned about radio “back in the day” that you still use every day in your current role?
The importance of localism. It is so easy in radio today to get wrapped up in voice tracking for different markets, and completely forget about anything local. Driving the station vehicle around town, meeting people at local hot spots, talking about local hot zips -- all things that used to be Radio 101 that I feel like have slipped away.
2. More and more people are consuming music and artist content in so many other ways than their local station: streaming, podcasts, etc. What are a few things that you believe are still exclusive to a local radio station that the streaming world still can’t compete with?
Personality. The personal connection we are able to make with listeners is just something that DSPs can’t match. Not a knock on the DSPs or tech people, [but] radio is show business, and we’re professionals at storytelling, and making those personal connections with people.
I don’t ever have any super deep feelings for my Spotify playlist (unless Drake comes on, then I’m all up in my feels). Think about all the countless happy hour remotes, radiothons, pictures taken out front [of] concert venues. That’s the stuff that can’t be matched.
3. Social media is a huge and vast place. Almost as big as Texas. How do you cut through the clutter and make your content stand out? What would you suggest other broadcasters do to make their content pop and rise above the rest?
Video content has been something that I have really taken seriously the last few years. With social media being as big as it is, we can’t just rely on our air shifts anymore. I have started making YouTube/vlog style videos that can live on our station’s social media pages, as well as putting them on my show. It’s not just an Instagram Story every day, it’s a well thought out, carefully shot and edited video. We show prep every day for our shows, why aren’t we all prepping video content?
4. You started your job at KASE in January, still in the midst of the pandemic lockdown. Were you working remotely for a time? And what was your experience like trying to onboard at a new station and get to know your co-workers and a new market while the world was weird?
I started my show in Austin, while I was still living in Seattle. It was a wild time to move. Right when I got to Austin, I couldn’t go in the building for 10 days because of my recent travel. So, it wasn’t until the third month of my time with iHeart until I made it to the Austin studios. When I finally made it, we were limited to the hours we could go in the building to try and limit how many people were there.
I’m old enough to remember when this was supposed to be a two-week thing, to flatten the curve. But, here we are. I think we have all become Zoom/Teams professionals. Luckily, Texas is a little more relaxed with restrictions, so getting to spend some time with coworkers outside of work wasn’t super hard.
5. Is your current role your dream job? If yes, why? If no, what do you still seek out in your career to achieve? Would you ever want APD/MD or even PD stripes again?
My dream job in radio is always changing. Growing up, I always wanted to be on multiple stations, and that was that. Well, now that’s pretty much just a requirement [laughs]. I love creating content: videos, on-air, interviews. But, I also love programming. I was lucky enough to also get APD strips on our [Top 40] and Rhythmic stations here in Austin. I don’t think I would be able to not be involved with programming the stations I am on, I have too many opinions. So, I guess my dream job is whatever the highest level of content creation and programming they will let me do. I for sure think I could be PD and continue to create some awesome content. Probably wouldn’t be able to sleep, but that’s overrated.
6. After you left your job at KKWF (100.7 The Wolf)/Seattle during a round of Audacy (then Entercom) job cuts, you created an “unemployment charity pool,” where people could make a $5 donation for a guess at when you would land your next job. How much did that ultimately raise, who had the winning “bet,” and do you think the cleverness and humor of that helped you land the job at KASE?
We raised just under $1,000 for that, and an old co-worker from Entercom in Seattle, Bre Ruiz, ended up winning the bet. She told me it was the proudest moment of her life, and I couldn’t agree more. Quite the honor.
I actually know for a fact that the charity pool helped me cut through the crowd of unemployed radio people. I had a few people that were hiring reach out after they saw my charity pool. It’s never a situation anyone wants to find themselves in, but you can’t let yourself just quit being a personality.
At first, it was creating a podcast [after losing a job], but now it feels like everyone does that. So, I wanted to find something that would make some noise, I could create some fun content around, and raise some money for St. Jude.
7. Radio can be all consuming, even when you’re not working. Do you like to turn “work” off and tune out from time to time? What do you do when you’re not thinking how to improve the station?
I am always thinking about radio, or what is the next video I can create. My wife gets real tired of having to come write down an idea I have for content, while I’m mid-shower. But, my other passion in life is watching and cheering on the best team in the NFL, the Green Bay Packers. Also, I watch endless hours of YouTube videos, and play “Call of Duty.” Real nerd stuff.
8. You started your career (with me) in Fargo, ND as a part of the promotions team. What’s your most unique story/memory of a promotional event/remote?
Quite a few, but don’t think I don’t remember the first time you called me to fill in on the night show at KVOX in Fargo. I was a senior in high school, and my phone started ringing during AP Gov. I asked the teacher to go to the bathroom so I could listen to the voicemail of you asking me to fill in on the night show that night. One of the coolest/best feelings of my career.
Starting when I was still in high school was fun, I used to pretend to be my dad and call myself out of class so I could come work an event at the station. I would do an event before class, during class (oops), and after class.
9. Texas is a huge state, pretty much a small country. You lived there earlier in life, when your dad was in San Antonio. What makes Texas, and Austin specifically, such a great place?
I have lived in eight states, but Texas has such a special place in my heart. Austin is beautiful. If you have never been to Central Texas to see the Texas Hill Country, you’re missing out. We have some of the country’s best lakes, just a few hours from the Gulf, amazing food (explains the 15 pounds everyone puts on moving to Texas), Whataburger, I could go on and on. Texas is just the best, one of those IYKYK [if you know you know] situations.
10. Five years from now, who’s the biggest name in Country music, and why?
Parker McCollum. The guy is superstar. He is a monster on social media, very well spoken in interviews, and his music is amazing.
Bonus Questions
Do you own a Texas-sized belt buckle?
I actually bought a 1970’s KASE 101 belt buckle off eBay when I moved to Austin. One of my most prized possessions.
You can pick one snack in the station staff vending machine. You choose what?
Pop Tarts. Hard to beat a good Pop Tart, but keep it out of the toaster. Warm Pop Tarts are gross.
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