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10 Questions with ... Tommy Jordan
June 10, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. We do a little, but we try to add personal experiences and things that have happened to us in our lives into the show. We get a better reaction with personal topics and if we need help with something going on in our lives, that gets a great reaction as well. The listeners love to be helpful
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Currently I have a few things going on including mornings at Key 103 in Frederick, MD, syndicated New Country night show on "The Brand" and part-time/fill-in at Mix 106.5/Baltimore. Previous to what I'm currently doing, I did afternoons in Tulsa, Ok at 106.9 K-HITS. I also spent nearly 16 years at 94.5 PST in Trenton, NJ
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
I would describe it as amazing! I was a part-timer doing just about everything at Q102 in Philly. The amount of talent in that building was incredible. Chris Jagger, Elvis Duran, Andy Gury, Drex and a lot more. And they were all willing to teach the part-timers and help guide us along. I consider myself very lucky to have that as my first job in radio.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
Completely by accident. I got fired from UPS at 18 years old and THE mother of the girl who I was dating at the time said, "You love music; go to a radio station and apply." So to keep her from nagging me, I did and look at that, it turned into a career.
3. Did you always aspire to do mornings?
Not always. I've done every daypart but mostly mornings and afternoons at this point in my career. 94.5 PST in Trenton, NJ gave me my first shot at mornings.
4. How does your show, The Key 103 Morning Buzz, set the tone for the rest of the station's broadcast day?
We try to keep it fun and upbeat. Keep people laughing (hopefully) and make them feel good throughout the rest of the day.
5. How long have you and your partner Jenna Lee been working together?
It's been a little over a year now. Hard to find that great chemistry and the actual friendship we have off-air. I got lucky with her ... that's for sure
6. How important is social media to the success of the show?
Very! Really as it should be on any show. The topics we talk about on-air are always put up on our social media. Text has become the way listeners communicate with us the most, so that's played a big part in our show as well.
7. Do you folks use any of the show prep sources?
We do a little, but we try to add personal experiences and things that have happened to us in our lives into the show. We get a better reaction with personal topics and if we need help with something going on in our lives, that gets a great reaction as well. The listeners love to be helpful.
8. "Local, local, local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
Now is our busy time, so we're always out in the summer. Key 103 is involved with a lot of charities. For the past few years we've done a Radiothon 5k to benefit the American Cancer Society; we host an event called Alive at 5 in downtown Frederick with a concert every Thursday at 5 on the creek. We are lucky to be in a city that has a lot of events all year round and we try to get involved in every single one of them.
9. What's the coolest promotion you've been involved with recently?
When I was in Tulsa, I married a couple in a helicopter above the city. Probably not the best thing for a person to do if you're afraid of heights. It turned out to be a great promotion. The couple got divorced so I'm zero for one.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
Chris Jagger (The Edge in Dallas. Q102 Philly. Z100 NYC) He taught me the basics, which has helped me throughout my whole career. He would go over aircheck after aircheck with me till I got it right. A huge influence and help in my career. Tom Cook, my PD at Mix 106.5, where I do part-time fill-in has been a huge help from the moment I met him. The last one is Chuck Knight, who was my PD when I did part-time at B101 in Philly. He taught me more in three months than I ever learned in my entire career. He's a genius!
Bonus Questions
There's a lot of history around Frederick. Where would you take someone to make sure that they got a great sense of the city and area?
Wow, great question! It would be a daylong event. I would take them to a place they say is haunted here in Frederick which is the Civil War Museum. The Hessian Barracks, which has a lot of Civil War history. Carrol Creek runs through the city of Frederick and is beautiful to see. A nice walk along the creek is pretty relaxing and a few places to stop and sit while enjoying a nice glass of wine. Can't forget Francis Scott Key. He is buried at Mount Olivet cemetery, so a visit there would be a nice way to end the Tour of Frederick and its history.
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