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10 Questions with ... Patrick Thomas
August 31, 2009
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NAME:Patrick ThomasTITLE:Executive ProducerSHOW:Big D & BubbaCOMPANY:Premiere Radio NetworksBORN:New Iberia, LARAISED:New Iberia, LA
Please outline your career so far:
1996-1997 KANE-AM New Iberia, LA
1997-1998 WJBO-AM Baton Rouge, LA
1998-1999 WFMF-FM Baton Rouge, LA
1999-present Executive Producer, Big D and Bubba Show (Syndicated - Premiere Radio Networks)
2003-present Co-Host, Nick and Drew Show (KTUX - Shreveport and KYRK - New Orleans)* From 1997-1999 I worked for Clear Channel in Baton Rouge and did an air shift on WJBO, WFMF, KRVE, WYNK and WSKR. I would do any shift that they would let me do. I was the only person in the cluster with a regular daily or weekly shift on all 5 stations (either as a DJ or producer).
1) How did you get into radio? How did you get to this point in your career?
I got into radio at the suggestion of my 11th grade history teacher, Ann Labiche. She said, if I was going to get a summer job, then I should apply at the local AM radio station so that my constant talking might be put to good use. I started out at KANE-AM in New Iberia, LA. I moved to Baton Rouge at 18 and within a year I was doing a shift on all five Clear Channel stations there. I started with Big D and Bubba in 1999 and we have built something that was long thought to be impossible - a successful syndicated Country morning show. We are now on more than 50 stations. I started doing Nick and Drew in Baton Rouge before the BD&B network moved to Nashville. Even though Drew and I are in different states, we use the technology available to us to make it sound like we're sitting in the same studio every night (in cities that neither of us live in).
2) Who were your early influences? Who were you mentors?
My early influences on-air were Dave in the Dark (David Sorge on the old WTGE in Baton Rouge) and Bobby Novosad (still doing mornings on KSMB in Lafayette).
My biggest influences were off the air. I learned a lot about the business from Matt Kennedy (PD of WJBO in Baton Rouge, who hired me for my 2nd radio job) and Bob Murphy (OM of the Clear Channel cluster in Baton Rouge). Matt had a great passion for radio that I hadn't experienced before from a boss. Bob saw something in me that no one else saw back then. He recognized potential and he worked hard to help realize that potential.
Of course, everything I thought I knew about radio changed when I started working with Big D and Bubba. They redefined my idea of what is possible in this business.
3) This is our first time featuring a producer of a syndicated show in 10 Questions. Describe what you do and what your typical day is like.
I have so many "job duties" that it is difficult to remember them all. I once told my boss at Premiere Radio that my job is "to remember everything that I know Big D and Bubba will forget."
I have an uncanny ability to predict what BD&B are thinking and even what they will say in a given situation. I do not like to wait to be told what to do. I prefer to take initiative and get things done.
I help gather info for all stations as well as any breaking news that is pertinent to the whole network. I answer all the affiliate phonelines. I'm in constant contact with all affiliate board-ops through Yahoo Instant Messenger all morning.
After the morning show winds down, BD&B turn their attention to generating content for the next day's show. I like to think that this is the most important thing I do everyday. It is up to all three of us to generate content for the show. In addition, it is my job to make sure there is enough 'stuff' everyday. I then plan out the show and prepare it so that BD&B can add the finishing touches.
I am also BD&B's main point of contact. I am the first person contacted about anything and everything relating to the show.
My job requires building strong relationships with the Premiere Affiliate Relations, Affiliate Program Directors, Board-Ops, Engineering, local sales, Premiere sales, Record labels, Publicists, local promoters and anyone else who might have an impact on the network.
I am constantly dreaming up new bits for the show and trying to find new ways to make the show better on the air. I'm always looking for ways to improve the day-to-day operations of the show and make it more accessible to both listeners and advertisers.
4) You almost didn't accept the job with Big D & Bubba when it was first offered to you. Where were you working at the time, and what made you decide to take the "leap of faith" after all?
I was working at WFMF (CHR) at the time and I didn't want to go into Country. I thought about the job offer very seriously for over a week. I think about it from time to time and remind myself how glad I am that I decided a good show was a good show in any format. If I hadn't taken the job, I wouldn't have met my wife in Nashville, because I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be doing "Nick and Drew" because I would have never met Drew. And worst of all, I would probably still think of radio as a job where you get to play music and talk a little, instead of a job where you get to create an entertaining show.
5) You were the youngest Executive Producer of a syndicated show at the time you got hired, at 20 years old. What is your advice to young people looking to succeed in the radio/music industry?
I think I may still be the youngest EP of a syndicated show now that I'm 30. I don't know for sure either way. My advice would be this: Don't sit around griping about how bad things are. Accept the technology and the low budgets and all the things that people constantly whine about and DO THE BEST YOU CAN DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE! That's the only way to get yourself into a position to eventually make things better.
If you'd something a little more tangible, then let me add this. Learn all the tools of your trade. Learn to do all things that no one else wants to do. Master that and use it to your advantage later. When I first arrived in Baton Rouge, there were a dozen part-timers who'd been there longer than me. Within a year I was the go-to guy in the group because I would do anything and everything I could just to be on the air.
6) What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
My Grandmother told me recently that she never wished for much in her life and she got a lot more than she ever dreamed would be possible. She is a very happy lady. I have been thinking about that a lot lately. It's good to have drive and ambition, but we also have to be grateful for all the things we have.
7) We notice that the show is carried in all four corners of the U.S. - Maine, Washington State, Florida and California. How does this show play in other regions of the country, besides the south?
You know, we get hat question a lot. When you're talking about Country radio, I really think there are more similarities than differences. If you get 10 miles outside of any major US city, you will find Country folks. That's our audience. They love hockey more than football in northern Michigan and it is WAY colder in Spokane, WA than it is in Wichita Falls, TX, but the Country audience still loves Jesus, Mama and Kenny Chesney.
8) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Don't eat food that listeners bring to the station.
9) What makes The Big D & Bubba Show stand out and be unique from other syndicated shows out there?
Our show is syndicated, but it can be as local as you want it to be. We provide content that you would expect from a national show, but we also customize our show for our affiliates every day. We provide local weather, local news, local traffic, local callers and local content.
10) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living? Do you have any regrets?
I love the creative part of my job. I love dreaming up outlandish bits that might make other people laugh. I also love the people (ok, not all the people). I enjoy working with people who are interesting. If I can say one thing about Big D, Bubba, Drew and Devon O'Day (the host of Country Spirit) it's that they are very fun to work with.
I also have a great desire to see our industry succeed through this difficult time. Focusing on content is the only way to separate ourselves. I want to continue doing everything I'm doing now, but with greater success. That is a huge motivating factor for me. I want to see BD&B syndicated on over a hundred stations. I'd also like to syndicate both "Nick and Drew" and "Country Spirit." I know that sounds optimistic, but there are a lot of possibilities in this business.
Bonus Questions
1) What are you currently listening to on your iPod or CD player?
I love the new Randy Houser CD. I also love Randy Rogers Band. Seriously, I have a 6-disc changer in my truck and 3 of the CDs are RRB. I also love Taylor Swift. I feel like I shouldn't be as big of a fan as I am because I'm a big, fat, jaded, radio guy with a shelf full of CDs older than Taylor herself. I can't help it. I think she's awesome.
2) What was the first concert you ever attended? First album you bought?
I don't remember buying tapes or records as a kid. I mostly stole my parents' or my siblings' music. I vividly remember the first CD I bought with my own money. It was Wynonna's first solo CD. I told her that the first time I met her and she punched me in the arm. She said that I made her feel old by saying it. I quickly explained to her that it wasn't because I was young when her CD came out, but because that was when I made the transition from tapes and vinyl to CDs in 1992. She apologized and then asked, "How old WERE you when you bought it." I told here I was 13. She punched me in the arm again.
I think the first concert I attended was Vanilla Ice in 1990. Before you make fun, try to remember that Vanilla Ice was HUGE in 1990 and I was only 11 years old. The first country show I ever attended was Reba McEntire (with John Michael Montgomery and Faith Hill) at the Baton Rouge Centroplex in 1993. I still remember how great it was.
3) Who would be your dream guest on the show?
I can't think of a country artist who hasn't been on the show during my 10 years here. However, we've talked to Garth Brooks on the phone many times but we've never had him in the studio. That would be unbeatable. In fact, we have a "Garth Jar" in the Big D and Bubba studio. Everyday we add a dollar to the jar. If Garth comes in for an interview and plays a few songs, we will give the money to his charity. We've even had several artists add money to the jar during their visits. I think there's almost $50 in there now! Your move Garth!
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