10 Questions with ... Erik Johnson

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

My entire 34-year career has been spent in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska. I began, like most do, running the board at a small AM in Omaha. While in college finishing my degree in Architecture, I became the Music Director for the University of Nebraska campus station, KRNU-FM. I was part of the teams that signed on Active Rock KIBZ-FM/Lincoln and Alternative KKNB-FM/Lincoln. After programming KKNB, I signed on and programmed RCHR KQCH-FM/Omaha for t10 years. I’ve also programmed Hot AC KSRZ-FM/Omaha, CHR KISO-FM/Omaha, Country KXKT-FM/Omaha, Classic Hits KGOR-FM/Omaha and others. In 2016, I began overseeing the Omaha Market. I added the Nebraska area in 2020 and the Mid-North area in 2021.

1. How would you describe your first radio gig?

Trial by fire. My brother and I worked with the GM at another job. My brother also worked at the station. When GM called looking for my brother to fill in, the call turned into a part-time job for me. He showed me how to run the board. After an hour, he poked his head into the studio and asked, “Are you good?” I said, “Yeah, I think so.” He said, “Ok, I’m taking off. See ya later.” I was off and running.

2. What led you to a career in radio?

I love all types of music, but never thought I would make a living in the industry. People often wonder how architecture and radio connect. Both require you to analyze the data and then be creative within the guidelines. The two are actually quite similar.

3. You wear a lot of hats for iHeart in the building. Is there such a thing as a ‘typical’ day, and how do you make sure that all of your priorities get handled?

There is no such thing as a typical day, and that’s what I love about this job. I could be on a strategy call for our new AC in Bismarck one day, and then onto figuring out how we win the three-way Spanish battle in Omaha the next. I delegate a lot to an amazing team.

4. How has navigating the pandemic made you a better programmer?

The pandemic has opened many eyes to what is possible. My team has been spread across the country for a while. The pandemic didn’t really change our operations. It is not uncommon for our digital person in Omaha to pitch in and help our team in Grand Forks. Our goal is to create great audio entertainment across multiple platforms without geographical boundaries. One of our night hosts is in Boston, but sounds more local that most of the night shows in town. And it shows in the ratings.

5. You also do afternoons on Country sister Kat 103.7 (KXKT). What’s it like for you to be able to still plug in and crack the mic every day?

I’ve only been off the air for a short stint in my career and I hated it. Being on the air helps me stay connected to the listener and the community regardless of format. I can hear the tone of the city. Being on air also helps me coach talent. It is much easier to relate when you are doing it day-to-day.

6. You’ve spent 20+ years in the market. How has the competitive landscape changed in that time?

The CHR battle has become quite fierce. We have two CHRs, a Rhythmic CHR, a Hot AC that could really be seen as an Adult Top 40 and an AC that plays some current music. Standing out is a challenge.

When radio teams were bigger, many of the stations did over-the-top promotions. KXKT held their annual Fun Country Festival. KQCH did the Villisca Axe Murder House Challenge. KQKQ gave away a house. KSRZ gave away cars with Live In It To Win It. Now that the business has changed, promotions in the market are focused more on-air than on the streets. We’ve just gotten more creative with our imaging and presentation.

7. “Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. How do you keep your stations visible and involved in the community? Has the team been getting back out there?

Omaha never really shut down much for the pandemic. We stopped doing remotes for a bit, but we’ve always promoted events around town. As a group, we find local organizations doing great things and we help them be bigger. KISO partners with the City of Omaha every summer for Hydrant Parties. The city pops the fire plugs around town. We follow along and make it a party. It looks like we own it. Our Country station, KXKT, has a program called We Care at The Kat. Charity events email us at WeCare@TheKat.com with details of their event. We talk about it like a PSA in the '80s. Old school radio. We promote spaghetti feeds, motorcycle runs and bake sales. In fact, KXKT was just announced as a finalist for the NAB Crystal Award. The station won the award in 2009 and again in 2013. We make sure our stations are connected to the community.

8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

The late Gabe Baptiste was my first influential program director (at KIBZ-FM/Lincoln). He always said, “Have fun.” That’s why we are in this business. If I stop having fun, I’ll stop doing radio. The listeners can hear it coming through the speakers. Enjoy what you do. Life is too short.

9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?

I really didn’t know what we had here in Omaha when I was a kid. I wanted to be an architect. There is a rich radio history here. Though I loved them, listening to the amazing jocks on KOIL-FM/Omaha and KQKQ-FM/Omaha really wasn’t on my radar. I spent every day with them, but didn’t realize the talent coming out of here. Dan Kieley and John Ivey both programmed KQKQ at one point in time. After launching it in Louisiana, Todd Storz developed what became Top 40 here when he owned KOIL. Guys like Jimmy O’Neil (TV’s Shindig), Michael Steele (KIIS-FM), and the Real Don Steele (KHJ and others) have all worked in Omaha at one point in time. I just wasn’t paying attention.

10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

There are too many to mention. I always try to learn from everyone who is willing to give me a little bit of their knowledge. Gabe Baptiste was a huge influence when it came to having fun. My Market President, Taylor Walet, has been my GM twice. He instills that competitive edge in me. Throughout the years, I’ve learned a ton from Tracy Johnson, Mark St. John, Tom Land, Doug Sorensen and a ton of others. I have really had the fortune to work with and learn from so many great people within iHeart that this list could be three pages long.

With the CHI Health Center available and an unlimited budget, what five acts would you pull together for a cluster-wide stations post-pandemic bash?

If I were pulling a show together that encompassed all five stations, my five would be …

• Bruno Mars (One of the best shows I’ve seen.)
• Luke Combs (One of the best guys I’ve met.)
• The Eagles (I put off seeing this show for a long time. Just caught this tour with Vince Gill and it was phenomenal.)
• Green Day (My wife took me to see them and that was that!)
• Ben Folds (Because he puts on a great show, I love his style and somebody needs to open.)