10 Questions with ... Travis Daily

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Travis Daily joined Cumulus Country KUBL (93.3 The Bull)/Salt Lake City as PD/afternoon host in December, following four years with Beasley Media Group in Tampa, where his duties included being OM/PD for Country WQYK. Before that, he was iHeartMedia's SVP/Programming and Country WFUS/Tampa PD/afternoon host. Prior to his move to Florida, he has been OM/PD for Country KCCY (Y96.9)/Colorado Springs.

1. What was appealing to you about the Salt Lake City job? Why did you have a specific interest in returning out West, and living among the mountains again, a place where you have said you "belong?"

First and foremost I'm really excited to join Cumulus Media, which is full of great people. That was by far the #1 reason.

Florida was an awesome experience that I wouldn't trade for anything, but I always knew at some point we would head back West. I'm originally from Colorado, and something has always felt a little off when there weren't mountains right outside my window.

2. When you joined The Bull in December, the job had been open since the spring. What needed to be done immediately?

This is a very competitive radio market and a really competitive Country battle. We have a new game plan which we will be rolling out, but the biggest thing I need to do is assess what my new team needs from me and what everyone's strengths and weakness are, including me, so we can play to everyone's strengths and win this battle. True collaboration builds a winning team.

3. What are some of your other priorities for the first quarter of 2023?

I need to further educate myself on the Utah Country listener. Too often a PD rolls in from another market and thinks, "Every playbook works everywhere. I'll just do what I did 1000 miles from here."

I do agree there are a lot of things that are best practices that you should do everywhere, but the true art of winning comes from learning as much about your brand's consumer as you can and then super serving them the content they actually want.

Playbooks may be similar in a lot of markets, but there is not a "one way works everywhere" plan that exists. I know there are some that will argue with me on that, however, I already see a pretty big difference in the listener in Salt Lake vs. Tampa.

4. You've only been there a short time, but what do you think makes the Salt Lake City market special, and/or unique from other Country markets?

It's one of the most beautiful places you could live. I don't think most people know how great Utah is. The people of Utah are also beyond nice, and it's a true Country music market. I like that while I was in SLC interviewing, I stopped to get gas. I'm in the rental car and a random guy at the gas station noticed my Cody Jinks hat, and we ended up having a 10-minute conversation about music.

5. You're in a competitive country battle with KSOP. In what ways is KUBL programmed to differentiate itself from the competition?

Ask me that question again in six months and I'll give you a little more detail

6. Like so many people in the industry, you were part of a companywide downsizing last October. That’s so common now that it’s almost a rite of passage in the radio industry. But were there one or two lessons you took from that experience that might help others facing similar cuts in the future?

First and foremost, if you end up in this situation, take a breath and realize that as stressful as having your life turned upside down can be, you will get through it.

While you have a job, make sure you have fresh audio, links to your best social videos or posts, etc. Make sure you have your “safety net” of content or materials just in case. Look at it as a radio go bag of sorts. I think you should always network as much as you can; radio is still a small universe of people.

Often with budget cuts, people are blindsided. If this happens to someone who is reading this, please remember to focus your energy on “what am I going to do about this” rather than bad mouthing the company that let you go. Put all your energy into moving forward for yourself and finding your next situation.

I also think it’s really key on those weeks that your phone may not be ringing and you’re feeling like you won’t be able to find another gig in this business we all love that you have someone to talk to. Friends, family – call me if you need to, but if things get to the point where the stress of losing a job is outweighing your energy to figure it out, please talk to someone. We often overlook the mental strain life-changing events put on us because we are too proud to admit we need to talk it through. You will be OK, I promise.

7. What's one thing you'd like the Nashville music industry (and specifically your new Western regionals) to know about you that they may not?

I'm not sure it's a real big secret that although I want to be a good partner to everyone I can in Nashville, I will always make the decision that helps the radio station win above and beyond all else.

8. What up-and-coming Country artists are you most excited about/or who you think have the most potential for a breakthrough year in 2023?

I still like Cody Johnson to raise his stock even more than he already has, and I still think Riley Green is the man.

9. Tell us three fun facts about Travis Daily.

Despite what my son will tell you, I can still throw an OK curve ball.

I wish all people were as kind as Dolly Parton.

I don't trust people that don't like Waylon Jennings or the band Shinedown at least a little bit.

10. Starting off the new year, any personal or professional resolutions you'd care to share?

I still believe in radio. I am going to put more energy into trying to help our medium overall in any way I can. I also am going to try and enjoy each day a little more. This is supposed to be fun. We need to remember that even in stressful moments.