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10 Questions with ... Don Jarrett (aka Danny Ryan)
July 6, 2009
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NAME:Don Jarrett (aka Danny Ryan)TITLE:Mornings & Music DirectorSTATION:KAWO WOW Country 1043MARKET:Boise, IdahoCOMPANY:Peak BroadcastingBORN:Eureka, CARAISED:Arcata, CA
Please outline your career so far:
I started in 1989 doing weekends at KUKI/Ukiah, CA. Then I worked in Santa Rosa, Ca for nine years KXFX, Q105, and KRAZ. I moved to KIZN/Boise for six and a half, then three and a half years at KEGA/Salt Lake City and now back in Boise at KAWO.
1. Y'all have had some recent changes over there at WOW 104.3. How are things going? Tell us about some of the exciting stuff y'all have coming up.
Ya know, times are tough all over. We have lost some of our staff, including my morning show partner, and we've had to refocus and rally the troops. We've also done a lot of work refining the WOW brand in the market by bringing more texture to the music and the imaging. But, through it all we continue to be the market leader with fun and creative promotions on the air, on the street, and online.
2. You have been at in Boise for a little over two years now, right? How do you like it as far as a place to live with your family and as a place to program Country radio?
Actually, this has been a homecoming for me. I came out here in '97 and worked for KIZN for six and a half years before moving to Salt Lake City for three and a half years to launch KEGA. This is home for me and my family. We love it here. Fishing, camping, rafting, great people, great communities and lifestyle is what brought me back here.
3. Prior to joining WOW, you worked for KEGA in Salt Lake City, which is a very religious and very conservative market. Country music has a lot of themes like drinking, cheating, fighting, etc., that don't necessarily fall in line with the ideals of that area. Was that a challenge for you when it came to playing music?
Let's just say there weren't a lot of bar remotes. It was definitely a culture shock for me, but not something that affected programming any more than keeping it family friendly. Salt Lake City is a great market for country music! Tons of country concerts and serious fans! They love Country Music in the Beehive State!
4. You are originally from Northern California; an area that most people may not realize is very rural. Did your love of Country music start there or was it something you developed later in life?
Five hours North of San Francisco! Almost Southern Oregon! Arcata, California! Yeah, actually, I hated country music growing up. I remember family trips trying to drown out my step-dads John Denver, Statler Brothers and Crystal Gayle with my Walkman playing Def Leppard, Judas Priest and Motley Crue. Yes, I am a child of the '80s! Did I just make a Walkman reference? Oh my. It wasn't until I got into radio, that I came to appreciate the power of country music. Overnights at Q105 in Rohnert Park, from Merle Haggard to Garth, I was hooked.
5. I know you are a pretty avid outdoorsman, what sort of activities do you like to do? I would imagine the harsh winter makes outdoor activities a bit hard for at least a few months out of the year. Do you ever long for the more mild California weather?
I do miss the mild Cali weather. But, when you grow up with just two seasons, wet and damp, it's cool to have all four seasons like we do in Idaho. Crazy thing is, that sometimes you can get all four of them in one day! My family and I love camping, I love fishing, I carry my rod and tackle in my trunk at all times, you never know when the urge will strike. Some guys golf, I fish.
6. Anyone that talks to you for more than five minutes knows that you are a big Taylor Swift fan. You didn't just jump on the bandwagon recently either, you were a champion for her the moment you first heard "Tim McGraw." What was it about her and her music that hooked you?
Don't get me started! But, yes in a nutshell, I came across Taylor on Facebook before she released "Tim McGraw," and left her a message, she called me on the request line the next day to thank me and talk about her music. It developed into a friendship. And I have been her biggest fan ever since. She is the total package, and it is a joy to see her become a superstar. She is mature and talented beyond her years, and she has the love and guidance of a great family, label and friends. I used to go on about her during music calls with other labels and a lot of them started telling me they wished they had an act that I could get excited about like Taylor. She recorded her acoustic version of "Tim McGraw" with me at The Eagle, and then she went off to open for George Strait- and the rest is history. I did see her a few weeks ago when she came through on her current tour, and I was so happy that she remembered me. She screamed "Oh my God, why haven't I seen you in like 400 years" and then hugged the breath out of me! We talked about Twitter, and how the last cell number I had from her was disconnected - it was great! She hasn't changed as a person with all her fame, and that's rare. The only other artist I've seen connect on a one on one level with their fans is Garth Brooks. And when I got a handwritten personalized thank you letter in the mail a few days later, it was confirmation that she will be a superstar for a very long time. Okay, I'll stop talking about Taylor now.
7. Tell us about three songs that you feel had a profound impact on your life.
Garth Brooks "Learning To Live Again", Tim McGraw "Don't Take The Girl", and the new Due West "I Get That All The Time" (and I'm sure many more, but those popped into my head just now).
8. I know you are very passionate about music. What new stuff are you hearing that really has you excited?
I'm really excited to see so many new groups: Lady A, Gloriana, Zac Brown Band, Eli Young Band and especially Due West! Love those guys, and if you're not playing "I Get That All The Time," you're crazy!
9. Boise has three Country stations in the market, which has got to create some intense competition! What do you and the staff at WOW do to set yourselves apart from the other two stations?
Our overall presentation. We have no laurels to rest on. We are battling serious heritage and loyalty. But, I believe the WOW brand is a welcome and more exciting choice for the country listener here in Boise. From our personalities to our promotions, imaging, music, and street presence we are willing and able to do things that competition can't or won't.
10. You have two adorable boys that I know you are so proud of. What would you say if one of them decided on a career in broadcasting, would you steer them another direction or welcome them with open arms?
Being a dad is truly the greatest accomplishment in my life, and my boys are my life.
I actually had my 10-year-old son Ryan as my co-host a few weeks back for take your child to work day. He had fun, but he wants to be a SWAT officer or a football player. Tyler, my 6-year-old, has all the personality in the world, but I don't think he could sit still long enough to host a show! Like anything else in their life, I would support them in whatever brings them joy. I have had the pleasure to NOT have a JOB for 20 years. I would be happy if they chose to do whatever it is they love.
Bonus Questions
1. If we were coming to Boise for one day, what are a couple of things we shouldn't leave without seeing/eating/doing?
Seeing: The Boise River
Eating: Rocky Mtn. Oysters at The Eagle Nut Feed
Doing: Rafting The Payette
2. If your house was on fire and you could only grab three items (wife and children not include), what would you take?
My Taylor Swift autographed picture. (Kidding!) I would take my dogs Bruce (German Shepard) and Chopper (Chihuahua), and my 69 Mustang- unless the garage isn't on fire, then my plasma.
3. I saw some old high school photos you on Facebook (nice mullet) and in one you are proudly holding up your Ratt t-shirt. So I am guessing you are a fan of the '80s hair bands? Any other musical skeletons in your closet?
I should host "I Love The '80s" on VH1! Tesla, Motley Crue, Ratt, Twisted Sister, Def Leppard, AC/DC, loved them back in the '80s love them even more now! I proudly recall wearing my Union Jack Muscle Shirt, leather studded wristbands and bandanas! Orange foam headphones, real MTV and records! Bring it on! If I could go back in time it would be from '84-'88, no doubt. I also went through a break dancing phase, but that's another story for another time.
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