10 Questions with ... Joel Burke

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Joel Burke, a 31-year veteran of radio broadcasting, was most recently the program director of KYGO/Denver. During the ten years at KYGO, Joel received countless awards like the Radio & Records Country Program Director of the Year in 2004 and 2008 and Radio Ink magazine's top Country PD in 2007. Also, during his tenure at KYGO, the station received many national awards, including 4 NAB Marconi Awards, 3 Radio & Records awards and the 2007 and 2009 CMA major market station of the year award. Under his leadership the KYGO morning show won the CMA Major Market Personality of the Year award in 2002, 2004 and 2006. Also, KYGO won the NAB Marconi for large market of all formats in 2008.

Joel currently serves on the Country Radio Broadcasters Board of Directors.

Prior to Denver, Joel worked with radio stations in various formats in Memphis, St.Louis, Kansas City and Austin.

1) Congratulations on the launch of Wooden Media Services! You're just getting started and you are already signing clients! You must be quite excited.

It's a thrill to be getting the response I have gotten over the past few weeks. There is a huge desire from radio stations, air talent and Country artists to get a fresh perspective from the outside. My biggest asset in starting out is that I'm fresh from the trenches of running radio stations from day to day and still was on the air from time to time. I have a deep level of understanding of how challenging it can be to wear so many hats yet still focus on product development.

2) Can you give us a brief description of what the business model will be?

I have three categories of focus. Radio stations in a variety, air talent development and artist branding. I have recently just partnered with Music Forecasting (http://www.musicforecasting.com) to work with music promotion teams and management.

I recognize that I don't have all the answers, but I do try and ask the right questions. It's a total team effort and it doesn't matter who get the credit as long as we are successful

3) You've done radio a long time-what made you finally decide to do this?

For those close to me, they know this has been a dream of mine for a long time. If we don't have a dream, there isn't much reason to get up in the morning.

Up till now, I didn't believe I was ready nor felt I had the relationships to take the leap of faith. I will look back at my 10 years at KYGO in Denver with a great deal of satisfaction and gratefulness for all the people I had the privilege to work with. It was an amazing run! However, I still believe the best is yet to come! It was time to pass the torch to someone else and begin walking into the land of the unknown.

Radio has been passion for over 30 years, yet I have interests in other things as well. I want to have the flexibility to those interests outside of the industry.

4) You've only been out of radio a short amount of time, but now that you're not tied to a particular station-do you find yourself listening differently?

So far, it hasn't changed. I enjoy generating ideas, helping stations and people grow. That's what made radio fun for me no matter in making a contribution.

5) What are some of the biggest challenges that face programmers today?

The simple answer is doing more with less. The expectation to perform at a high level but do it with less research, less marketing and less staff. It can sure take the fun out of radio and consume a programmer's life.

6) You've gotten many accolades while in radio, including Marconi Awards, and Radio Ink magazine's top Country PD in 2007-is there anything that stands out as being extra special, and why?

The most special accolade I received in the 10 years in Denver was being recognized as the 2005 employee of the year for the Denver cluster of stations. The award is based upon on nominations of employees from all departments within the cluster. It was a special award that will always be at the top of the list.

7) The company is named for the great basketball coach John Wooden-obviously you are applying his teachings to your company. Can you tell us how?

The easiest way to explain why I follow his teachings is by looking at Coach Wooden's pyramid of success. I have it posted on my website, which is http://www.woodenmediaservices.com.

8) When did you first get attached to his philosophy and why?

Well, if this radio thing hadn't worked out I likely would have been a basketball coach. I have always been a huge fan of college basketball. Obviously, I became interested in the coach who won 10 national championships and at one point won 88 games in a row at UCLA. Then, he became a hero of mine as I began to understand his approach to basketball, life and his faith in God.

9) What was the best advice that anyone ever gave you?

There are three. "Save 3% of every dollar you make. You won't get rich, but you'll always have money." "Be constantly curious." "Don't confuse productivity with activity."

10) Tell us why you have eagles all over your office.

I know it sounds a bit strange, but the eagle has been my mascot and symbol since I was about 13 years old. The eagle is all about power, patience and persistence. An eagle doesn't fly away or hide when the storms come. They use the power of the storm to fly above it and take them to a speed and distance they would never go. That's a great example for all of us in how we deal with the day-to-day storms of life.

Name one piece of music that you can't stop listening to lately?

I have gotten lost into Johnny Cash again. Listening to all his music, watching highlights from his TV show on YouTube, etc.

What books are you currently reading?

"Fearless" by Max Lucado and "Dare to Dream" by John C. Maxwell