10 Questions with ... Casey Osburn

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• KFBZ/Wichita, KS - PD/Afternoons (2017-Present)
• KHMY/Hutchinson, KS - PD/Afternoons (2003-2016)
• KHUT/ Hutchinson, KS - MD/Afternoons (1998-2003)

1. Please tell us how you began your radio career?

I applied for a part-time board-op job at KWBW-AM in Hutchinson, KS, in 1998, and got hired the same day of the interview. It wasn't until I was about to leave that the PD said, 'I hope you like Country music!" That's when I realized I had been hired to work on heritage Country station KHUT in the same building as a jock. I actually DIDN'T like Country music but I was psyched to be on the air playing music. It all took off from there.

2. What Got You Interested In Radio?

It's the same story you hear from a lot of jock ... I always knew I wanted to do this since I was a kid. I have such great memories of Wichita and Hutchinson radio from the 1980s and hearing guys like Bob Walker, Greg "The Hitman" Williams and others. That really fueled my passion for the business. I'm in radio today because of those guys, and many of them are still in the business in some capacity today.

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

Rock and Country are two formats that have always done well in this part of Kansas, and when programming a Hot AC in Wichita you have to be mindful of that. My entire career, both at KHMY and here at KFBZ, I have always slanted more Rock when programming Hot AC. As a general rule, we might be slower in adding a Rhythmic record and a little quicker in adding something more Rock-oriented. It's interesting because the last several years, Hot AC has almost become what top 40 was a decade ago, so that makes it a bit more challenging. I use the data and research I have at my disposal, but honestly a lot of it is gut-feel. Having lived here my whole life helps with that.

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

From a programming standpoint, it's how to stay relevant and attractive to people in an era where everyone has instant access to their favorite music with digital devices. We stay relevant by making our on-air content local and entertaining ... things our target demo actually cares about. And we have to have a huge presence digitally. In a way, it's a bigger challenge than it was 10 years ago, but in another way it's still the same mission now as it was 30 years ago ... and that's making a connection with our audience that resonates with them so they'll keep coming back for more.

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

We use Facebook heavily. Between myself and two others, we post 20 times a day. The challenge is not the number of posts, but finding good content to fill 20 posts a day. If you post junk your followers don't care about, they won't be your followers for long. So we try a healthy mix of pop culture, station promos/events and personal stuff. It's actually harder than you might think and it's one of the more challenging parts of the day.

6. Who do you consider your radio mentors?

I've been very lucky to have been around some very smart dudes in this business. Greg Williams, JJ Morgan, Terry Drouhard and Jason Younger are four guys that have taught me 90% of what I know and use every day. And I'm lucky enough to work with Greg now at Entercom and my office is right next to Jack Oliver's who is a Wichita radio icon if there ever was one.

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

We did a Christmas promotion every year at KHUT called "Adopt-A-Child." The local SRS would give us names of children in the area that were from low-income families that probably wouldn't have much of a Christmas. And this list would be 200 names long, usually.

Several times a day we'd highlight one child from the list on the air, describing what they want for Christmas, their age, etc. And listeners would call and "adopt" this child, essentially offering to buy that child a Christmas present. We'd have businesses get together and adopt 20 children at once. Then we'd have a turn-in party in mid-December and everyone would bring their gifts to the station. We'd have people bringing in huge bags of gifts for one child. It was really heartwarming to see. They still do the promotion there every year, and I don't think they've ever failed to adopt every single child on the list each season. It's a great holiday promotion that really pulls on the heartstrings, does a great job connecting with the community, and it genuinely does good.

8. Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?

I'm always trying to improve on the air. Say what you want about voice-tracking, but one good thing about it is you can hear yourself on the air, like on the weekends. You might hear something you do or don't do that you never notice when you're doing it live, like a crutch. It's a way to self-critique, and I'm probably my harshest critic. Listening to other jocks and other stations also can help you discover new ways to deliver a message or relate to a caller. The thing about me is I'll never think I'm good enough. I'm always trying to get better and grow.

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

Hard work and flexibility are the keys to success in this business. It's not college degrees or "book smarts" necessarily. When you're starting out especially, it's doing whatever you can, whenever you can, however you can. It's never saying "no" to anything and proving you are passionate and you care. If you're around good people, they will take notice and it will pay off at some point. Also, I'd say to never let anyone take the "fun" out of radio for you. We all got into this business because it's fun and we love it. So never lose that feeling no matter what you're doing.

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

This is a business of people above all else. Whether it's interacting with your listeners on the air on in person, or dealing with salespeople or clients, it's all about treating people the right way. A wise man once told me that people won't always remember what you said or what you did, but they WILL remember how you made them feel. Terry Drouhard said that over and over again up in Hutchinson and it's so true. I think that's a huge part of being successful in any business regardless of level.

What do you do in your spare time?

Well, anytime I have a few days off, I love driving out to Colorado and hiking in the mountains. That's my favorite vacation spot when I have a few days. Otherwise, I spend a lot of time with my wife and son doing normal family stuff. My son plays basketball pretty much full time so nine months out of the year on the weekends I'm in a gym somewhere watching him play ball.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I always wanted to be either on the radio, or a weatherman when I was a kid. Those were my two passions. I actually majored in Atmospheric Science at the University of Kansas, and living in "tornado alley" (as I do) there are times where my knowledge and interest in weather comes in handy while on the air. So it worked out good I would say.

As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?

Not really. Prior to this year, I had two other opportunities to leave KHMY in Hutchinson and come to the Wichita market, both of which I turned down. Neither was with Entercom, and honestly that made all the difference this time around. I felt like it was now or never if I wanted to make the jump. And honestly, I could have stayed at KHMY and been happy for the next 10 years or more because I loved it there. Mark Trotman, my General Manager for almost 20 years, is as steady as they come and a great person to work for. I always told my wife, if I ever left KHMY voluntarily it would have to be the perfect situation. KFBZ was as close to the perfect situation as can be. I was ready for a new challenge, and programming a station I was a fan of ever since its inception in 2000 was an exciting feeling. So the timing was right and I think things worked out as they should have.