10 Questions with ... Joel Katz

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I've been doing this for a long time and I still love it! In 1987, I started working on-air at my college radio station, Jazz 90 WRTI, Temple University. From there I enjoyed 12 years at WPST/Trenton, mainly doing the afternoon show. When I left PST, I started my dream daypart job, mornings at Magic 98.3 WMGQ. After a few years, I was recruited away for mornings at SoJO 104.9. I've also worked on-air at New Jersey 101.5 and The Big Talker 1210 in Philly. Finally, our GM, Dan Finn and former PD Jeff Rafter brought me back where I belong doing mornings. Dan's vision was to bring the first morning team to the station and make mornings more energetic and fun. He and PD Debbie Mazella created a great team that includes my outstanding co-host Maryann Morgan; Racquel Williams, who is a real news pro; and Cande Roth does traffic. We're having a lot of fun every day and that comes across on the air.

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

A dream come true! I still tear up whenever I recall being contacted for the interview. I grew up listening to my favorite station, PST. I'd hear the likes of Tom Taylor, Tom Cunningham, Trish Merelo and Dave Hoeffel. Then I got the gig and was working WITH them ... so freakin' awesome!!

2) What led you to a career in radio?

As young as eight or nine, I would write radio bits for my mom on scraps of paper and leave them for her when I left for school. There would be the date and weather, plus something topical with a joke and other news. I also have tapes of myself playing DJ when I was 11. I just seemed to naturally follow that path; I can't remember a time where radio wasn't what I wanted to do. I grew up in Philly listening to WFIL, WIBG, WIOQ, WIFI, WMMR Rocks! Meeting some local jocks in my teen years, such as Pierre Robert, Terry Young, Don Cannon, Dennis Malloy and Chris Jagger, really made it a no-brainer for me. I wanted to do exactly what they were doing and a couple of them (Dennis and Chris) took the time to invite me to the station, show me around, and answer all of my questions; what an unforgettable experience that was.

3) How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?

Well, we're in Middlesex-Somerset-Union, and while our signal is deficient in Union County, we're very strong in Middlesex and Somerset and dominate women 25-54. We're in a very unique position because we don't have just one competitor, we have multiple stations that bleed in from NYC, so we tailor our on-air product to meet the needs of current listeners and attract new ones. We're also seeing an increase in streaming and our custom Alexa skills.

4) Who handles your imaging, and what voices are you using?

Bill Schultz is an absolute wizard and makes everything sound incredible, along with Amy Brooks, who also does middays at Beasley's Alt 92.9, WBOS Boston. I truly feel that she has the best female imaging sound and delivery I've ever heard, and it's so perfect for us. We are extremely lucky to have them both.

5) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?

Yes, I've always had multiple duties, but now more than ever. Along with the morning show, I produce any promos or imaging that Bill doesn't produce. I also do additional production and website stuff like blogs, podcasts, building webpages for various features, training, and whatever else is thrown at me. I learned a long time ago that you can't just do an air shift; you've got to diversify and it helps that I love to do it all. But it's not just me. We have a condensed, but strong and talented staff. We have lots to do, so everyone makes it happen.

6) What is your favorite part of the job?

Without a doubt, it's the creativity. Starting with an idea and turning it into something that is entertaining and relevant to our listeners is so rewarding. Working with some of the best people in the industry helps too.

7) Who would be a "dream guest" to have on your show?

Right now it would probably be someone like Taylor Swift because she's so huge and a core artist. Our audience would love to hear from her. Personally, though, Paul McCartney or Fab Morvan would be exciting because they're legendary.

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

I enjoy finding ways to publicly show my love for my wonderful wife, Kathleen and kids, Tyler, Kiera and Liam. I also love chasing after ping pong balls on a windy cruise ship.

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

Love it or leave it. Don't listen to those who complain about it. Do what you love and create your own path to success.

10) What is the current state of the radio "talent pool?"

We recently grabbed Mike McGinn for afternoons. He's a pro and sounds great.

One of the things I appreciate about our PD Debbie Mazella is that she recognizes great on-air talent and she invests in developing talent. If we have an intern or part-timer who busts it and shows interest in being on-air, we'll train them to eventually do an air shift. My regular fill-in on the morning show, Matt Burrill, is an example of this and an awesome personality on the rise.

What's the best sweeper/liner you've ever heard?

Mark Driscoll, early '90s I think: "What the hell, here's another hit, the new Q102." It blew me away and was so bold and different at the time, and different is good.