10 Questions with ... J. Pat Miller

NAME:J. Pat Miller TITLE:PD STATIONS:KSRZ Star 104.5 MARKET:Omaha, NE COMPANY:Journal Broadcast Group BORN:Aurora, IL RAISED:Chicagoland & Peoria, IL

Please outline your radio career so far:

2006-Current: KSRZ / Omaha - PD
2000-2006: Triad Broadcasting/Lincoln, NE - OM/PD
1999-2000: KSTZ / Des Moines - PD
1996-1999: WBNQ / Bloomington-Normal, IL - PD (97-99)

1 Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?

I anticipate that I will still be playing songs and providing content. But, we will not use radio as our only medium. I feel the future is bright for those that can create content because there are many economical distribution outlets. If mainstream consumers will use multiple delivery systems (podcasts, streams, cell phones, etc.) then we can create great content for those systems. Just because we've always done RADIO doesn't mean we can't become an entertainment source that just so happens to primarily distribute over the air. A friend of mine said that we should become "platform agnostic!" Well said, K.M.!

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

I feel that one of the biggest issues in radio is the acquisition of high-level talent. I disagree that there's a talent shortage. I feel that today's talent have as much ability, but they're not as developed as previous generations. Some of the brightest air talents have not been on the air long because they didn't have the same opportunity that I had (overnights/weekends/nights). The number of distribution channels that need content is growing each day. If you can develop a persona with smart content, you could be in for a very bright future. I have a friend that is an amazing talent, but he's questioning the future of the business. I can't seem to convince him that the future will belong to the talented content providers that can attract ears and eyeballs...stick it out!!!!

3 Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?

I love my current air staff, but there are some great talents out there. There are a ton of folks that belong on this list, but here are a few of the people that I wish I could be when I "grow up."

Todd & Tyler (Syndicated Hosts) - Omaha & Other Markets
Brady Goodman - (formerly of Jack K.C.)
Todd Chance - (Hot FM) - Grand Rapids, MI
Andrew Siciliano - Fox Sports Radio
AJ Carson (KZHT) - Salt Lake City, UT
And, the BEST AIRTALENT on the air - Glenn Beck.

4 What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?

The station that I listen to when I need inspiration is Virgin Radio/London. If you want to get a fresh perspective on our work, stream these guys for a bit. The music fits my personal taste, and their Air Talents are CONVERSATIONAL!!!! www.virginradio.co.uk

5 Favorite artist you have met?

John Ondrasik (Five For Fighting) was really nice. Shakira was nice too but in a different way. ;)

6 How do you stay in tune with your audience?

I go home and talk with my wife. Abbie is in the demo and a mother of two. I also force myself to watch the shows she likes, visit the web sites she likes, etc. I have to admit that Perezhilton.com is a little addictive.

7 What your biggest radio pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is the vocal group of radio professionals who constantly complain and pine for the "good old days." I've been around long enough to see radio run with more resources and live talent 24/7. But, we've all dealt with massive change in the past 10 years, and the industry is adapting to a new environment. We could throw all the resources in the world at radio and it's not going to hold the fixation that it did in the past. Why? Twenty to 30 years ago radio was one of few mainstream media outlets. Now, there are tons of content choices at your fingertips. I agree that we're trying doing more with less. I agree that live talents are better than automation. But, the game has changed and the "good old days," will only return if we reinvent them not recreate them.

8 How did you get your on-air name?

Groan. My entire life I went by my middle name "Pat." When I went to college I had to show that I had a first name, so I signed stuff "J. Pat." It stuck. It's tough to use on-air, and not very fun.

9. Who are some of you mentors?

I've been very fortunate to work with some exceptional minds: Tom Land, Mark St. John, Mark Halverson, Jeff Johnson, Rob Kelley, Jim Schaefer, Steve Goldstein, Scott Robbins, Deb Lesser and others. Each of these folks has taught me something along the way and I wouldn't change my work history for a second. Thank you to everyone on this list!!!

10. Have you explored launching an HD Radio channel?

As a radio hobbyist, I've been noodling on two potential formats for HD. I'm fascinated by HD's ability to create "different flavors" for the main signal's brand. Playing around with potential formats that would compliment a main signal allows us to narrowcast to one of the core's tastes.