10 Questions with ... Booker

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• WKQI/Detroit, MI (1999-2000) Part-Time On-Air
• KFTZ/Idaho Falls/Pocatello, ID (2000-2001) MD/Nights/Afternoons
• KUUU/Salt Lake City, UT (2001-2003) Nights
• WBVD/Melbourne, FL (2003-2005) MD/Nights then PD/Afternoons
• KUUU/Salt Lake City, UT (2005-2013) APD/MD/Nights
• iHeartMedia/Salt Lake City (2013-2014) Part-Time On-Air, Producer/Board-Op
• KEZE/Spokane. WA (2014) APD/Nights
• KYYY/Bismarck, ND (2014-2016) PD/Afternoons & Swing On-Air WKQI & KZHT
• KZMG/Boise, ID (2016-Present). PD/PM Drive & Voice Track Nights KEZE/Spokane

1. What Got You Interested In Radio?

I grew up in Detroit listening to great radio, but as a kid never fathomed that I would ever be in a studio playing music and talking to a huge audience. Once I graduated high school I was lost for the first year in figuring out what I wanted to do. I went to community college and took a communications course which was a joke! In the fall of 1998, I decided to go to the World Famous Specs Howard School of Broadcasting in Michigan. Originally TV production was my focus, but once I got a little taste of radio during the first half of the program I shifted my focus and did a couple of internships. Then I went full steam at pursuing radio.

2. What makes the Boise market unique? How does this compare to other markets you have worked at?

Boise is one of those places where you really have to weave yourself into the community. This city has grown so much, and there's A LOT of radio here! I've always had an interest in this market ever since my days over in Eastern Idaho. Though there's about a half million people here, it still has that small town vibe. Compared to a place like Salt Lake City where everyone is just in their own little world, here we do our best to get involved in the local charity events, fundraisers, and really any sort of event to get in front of our audience!

3. What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

Growing talent! Fifteen years or so ago, one could cut their teeth doing an overnight shift or pulling a late Sunday evening shift somewhere. Now those positions are few and far between. I've always prided myself as someone who would take a person under my wings that was passionate about radio and teach them what I could to help them get started in this business, as a manager I still strive to do that, but it's very tough finding those diamonds in the rough these days.

4. How are you using social media to market your radio station?

Well, I believe the social platforms are just an extension of everything we do on-air and on the streets. Posting relevant content that draws listeners to the station and having a dialogue with the listener creating a connection with that person on social media keeps us on our toes.

5. Today's listener can now access music on their mobile device and stream customized radio and music-on-demand. What effect are on-demand music services such as Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Slacker and others having on the radio and music industries?

While those services may pose a threat in regards to where one might discover new music, I think radio will remain to stay relevant through the personalities being true to ourselves and the audience. Now more than ever, it's important for us to plug into our communities even if you're voice tracking out of market. I have tracked for other markets (and still do) and you can always find a way to be super local in your content. We here in Boise and the entire Treasure Valley just had some of the worse winter weather this area has experienced in about three decades. Record snow fall, slick roads and it was almost impossible at times for folks to travel, My company, Impact Radio Group, made it a point to keep our listeners informed on all things weather related ... roads that were hazardous, school closings, hell ... even where to get Ice Melt for their driveway ! LOL! Those are things you can't get from a music app!

6. How do you stay in tune with your audience?

Simply talking to them ... on social media, at an event, or when they come in to pick up a prize. We can all look at charts and what's going on nationally, but every market is different. When I go out into the city of Boise or anywhere in the Treasure Valley, I take every opportunity I can to have a conversation with a listener to see what they like or dislike about my radio station.

7. How are you using new technologies in your personal life to listen to music, and what observations have you made about how today's listeners use technology?

I use Pandora and iHeart Radio when I go to the gym. My wife loves Spotify mainly because she can listen to entire albums and build her own playlists. That's been pretty much my observation with most people that use that service.

8. What is the most rewarding promotion you've ever been a part of?

I wouldn't say it was full on promotion ... but two years ago during my time in Bismarck, our iHeartMedia stations got the opportunity to be a part of the Children's Miracle Network Radiothon. That was my first time being a part of it and being able to talk to those families, meet the kids dealing with an illness, just being raw and real on the air getting their stories out seeing the audience and the community pulling together wanting to help those children was an experience I will always cherish!

9. You were recently promoted to PD. What is your favorite aspect of programming your station?

This is my third opportunity as a PD. My favorite part of the job is crafting the sound of the radio station. Everything that comes through those speakers, the music flow, promotions, imaging, on air, all of it! We run Johnjay and Rich In The Morning and being able to make their show sound local is a part I enjoy as well.

10. What advice would you give people new to the business?

Learn every aspect of the business and don't say no. Don't allow anyone to put you "in a box". Try different things and take chances! Make yourself of an asset as you can to any situation regardless of station, company or format.

What do you do in your spare time?

This is probably going to sound super douche, but it's not meant to be that way. When I'm not working or traveling to Salt Lake City to spend time with my kids, I'm usually at the gym. I've lost about 90 pounds in the last year and I never realized the effect my weight had on me from a personal and a career standpoint until I lost the weight. I feel much better about myself when I would meet a listener or client, and then there's that whole just being overall more healthy thing!

What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?

I have a secret passion for Country music! Mainly the New Country, but I dig some of the older stuff as well!

Who do you consider your radio mentors?

Zac Davis, Jagger (WKSS) Romeo (KKRZ & KXJM), Brian Michel, Kayvon Motiee, Tic Tak, Mojo (WKQI) and Tony Coles. Also during my time here in Boise, I've soaked up amazing knowledge from my current GM Darrell Calton, Anthony Acampora and Kevin Cruise.

What is the one truth that has held constant in your career?

Timing is everything! I tend to get very impatient at times. But everything happens for a reason at the time it happens. That said, there's usually a reason something DIDN'T HAPPEN as well!