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10 Questions with ... Leigh McNabb
June 12, 2017
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- KSTZ (Star 102.5) Part time promotions & On-air 1999-2003
- KAZR (LAZER 103.3) Promotions Director 2004-2005
- WLRW (94.5 The Mix) Middays 2005-2006
- WZOK (97ZOK) Mornings 2006-2009
- WXSS (103.7 KISS FM) Middays, APD/MD 2010-2015
- WZPL (99.5) Weekends 2015-Current
- WRVR (104.5 The River) Middays 2016-Current
- KZPT (99.7 The Point) Middays/PD 2015-Current
1. What Got You Interested In Radio?
My mother always jokes about how she would walk into my elementary school to volunteer, and she'd find me sitting in the hall after being kicked out of class for talking. I decided to take my biggest flaw and make a career out of it. That ... and my high school had a radio station so by the time I graduated I had four years of non-com under my belt.
2. Who do you consider your radio mentors?
Oh heavens. I know I'm going to miss someone. I have a lot of them past present and future. Let's go with the highlight reel:
I'd have to say Scott Allen with Saga in Des Moines. He give me my first internship that last lasted four years and hired me for my first full time gig. He was Promotions Director, at the time. He, along with Jim Schaeffer, then Star 102.5 PD, went out of their way to spend their own time and energy to teach me ... and I had A LOT to learn.
The man, the myth, the legend: Brian Kelly at Entercom Milwaukee. Not only did he do the same with his time and energy but he put more faith in me then I had in myself, at the time. He made me his APD/MD and really gave me a voice. He continues to be a sounding board for me, talking business or educating me on those "old movies" he thinks I need to see.
Honorable mention goes to Tony Lorino. We've been raised in this biz together since meeting as interns in college. It appears wherever he goes, I go. The moves stop here, bud!!
3. What makes the Kansas City market unique? How does this compare to other markets you have worked at?
I LOVE the passion this city has for live and local!! The way Kansas City can come together for a show/festival, fundraiser or rooting for the local sports-ball. As large as this city is, it still has that community feel.
Radio-wise, it's VERY competitive. There are so many great stations "scrunched" into an impressive ratings window.
4. How are you using social media to market your radio station?
Well, I can't put everything on here in regards to that (see #3). I will say it's important to know what social media entities your demographic uses. Don't waste your time on one if it's not where the P1s are.
This is our way to give a peek behind the curtain to our listeners. It is our chance to endear ourselves and really become "friends." Yes, it's marketing, but with PPM & less stopping down, social media is where the conversation can continue between the station and the community.
5. What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
I think the biggest issue facing radio today is keeping the fun and focus on the product. We all know spots and dots pay the bills, but creating the experience a listener can't buy, being involved in the community, and teamwork between departments is what this should all be about. Sometimes we lose site of the good time radio was created to provide.
6. 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?
Obviously, there's a new focus on smart speakers, Alexa/Siri/Insert robot voice here kind of listening. Making sure our stations are accessible on these devices and our listeners know how to find us.
I'm kind of old school, though. I'm not gonna lie. I'm FM dial all the way. I'd even prefer no HD. Change is hard...
7. Tell us what music we would find on your playlist right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?
If it's just me, myself and I the list will lead you to believe I have a multiple personality disorder. Fave bands of all time include The Beatles and Queen. Those two bands and their music have had an album or song to get me through every walk of life.
I have the Hanson Pandora channel at my fingertips at all times. It really covers all of my loves: 'N Sync, BSB, NKOTB, etc. That's my youth. That's my happy place. And they're all still super-hot to me.
I also, like the Broadway channel on XM. Love me some theater!
8. What is the most rewarding promotion you've ever been a part of?
WOAH! Way too many to name: feeding the hungry, Tsunami relief, saving homeless pets, various health fundraisers. The list goes on and on.
Pick one? It would have to be the Children's Miracle Network Radio-a-thon we did with Star 102.5 in Des Moines when I was an intern. We wouldn't sleep for days, we put it all out there and at the end of the long weekend it was so more than worth it. It gave me perspective on what I thought real problems were. It benefitted our community. It really gave back.
9. What advice would you give people new to the business?
Intern! Intern! Intern!! Pay your dues. I did four years of internships in both radio and television while in school. Yes, I was paid here and there and, yes, free food is payment but on the job training is invaluable.
School is important. GO! You'll need it to get your foot in the door on your internship. Graduate! No one can take your education from you and it gives you real life experience/perspective.
Don't be entitled. Drop the ego.
10. What is the one truth that has held constant in your career?
TEAMWORK! The stations I've been with that worked together as a team have also been the most successful. We all need to work together. Support each other. Work toward the same goals. No one is better than anyone else. We're only as good as our weakest link. Cliché, I know. But as much time as we put into this business and spend together, let's work toward the same end game as one.
Bonus Questions
What do you do in your spare time?
Once a week I try to get a full night's sleep. I really do consider that a hobby I don't get to enjoy very often.
Real spare time action is taken up with live music, traveling and spending time with friends and family, especially my niece Lucy Leigh, nephews Ian and Carson, and my Godson, Ben.
Who is your best friend in the business?
My husband! We just got married last month. Mike co-hosts middays with Jayme and Wickett on Kansas City's News Talk station, 98.1 KMBZ. I can't tell you how nice it is to be able to come home from work and discuss this crazy world we work in. He understands concerts are "work." NO! Radio peeps don't just work four hours a day and yes, free food does taste better.
What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
If the journalism thing hadn't worked out, my plan B was to be a music educator. It was always something to do with music, this just would have been teaching the choral variety (High school, of course). The youth would never be ready for all of this!
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