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10 Questions with ... Jon Thomas
April 14, 2008
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NAME:Jon ThomasTITLE:PD/MD Lazer 105.9 & PD X92.9MARKET:Lawrence-Topeka-Kansas CityCOMPANY:Great Plains MediaBORN:Fairfax, VirginiaRAISED:Cincinnati, Ohio
Please outline your radio career so far:
1997-1999 KBIA/Columbia, MO
1999-2003 KTXY/Columbia, MO
2003-2008 KLZR/Lawrence, KS1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
I built my first station from a transmitter kit while living in a dorm at the University of Missouri. Since my signal was awful, I had to march downstairs to the dining hall and make them tune in my broadcasts. It would be the first (and only) time I lived every programmer's dream: 100% forced listening!
2) Who were your early influences?
I grew up in Cincinnati and I listened to a lot of WLW. Gary Burbank and Kevin Wolfe impressed me with their clever satires of Cincinnati politics and phone stunts. And their morning talent Jim Scott showed me how important it is to be involved in your town. He remembered my name and interest in radio, even as a lowly high school student.
3) What is your favorite part of the job?
I still get a huge rush from listeners who react to something I said on the radio. It reminds me that we're not just talking to a mic and four walls, we're affecting lives.
4) What makes your station or market unique?
Lawrence is a university town sandwiched between Kansas City (#32) and Topeka (#194), and we're inundated with strong signals from both markets. My job is to grab Lawrence listeners while also reaching Topeka and suburban KC. We do a lot of things that may seem counter-intuitive to a Hot AC like carrying Kansas Jayhawk basketball to bond ourselves to this community and set us apart.
5) How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?
I think the relationship is strained as labels push for performance royalties. On one hand we have record companies begging us for radio airplay, while they tell Congress this airplay hurts their record sales. Any programmer who isn't outraged by this tactic isn't concerned enough about our industry.
6) Do you have any music scheduling tricks you've learned that you wish to share?
I picked up the 3-Lane-Highway approach from people who worked with Jon Zellner, now at XM. Keep your core sound to the center, while wrapping the fringe records around them with the right balance. It helps fulfill the "variety" promise of Hot AC.
7) What long-term role do you see HD radio playing in the future?
HD radio is great technology, but it's on the ropes. The average listener will never buy one of these radios unless HD becomes a standard feature like FM is. If we really want HD to survive, we need to be throwing big incentives at automakers to make it standard equipment, anything less will fail. In today's auto market, Chrysler, Ford, and GM should take notice if we make the right offer.
8) How much time do you spend surfing the net?
I'm an information addict and enjoy streaming stations. I also run a radio programmer website, RadioSoapbox.com for other PDs share ideas and vent.
9) For someone vacationing in your market, what one thing would you say they "must see"?
Even if you're not a basketball fan, witnessing a KU game at Allen Fieldhouse is a thrill. The atmosphere, history, and intensity of the games is addictive. And for good reason: The guy who invented the sport was KU's first coach. But as a Missouri grad I have mixed feelings about that.
10) Besides your own, what format would you like to program and why?
I would get a kick out of programming FM Talk. I see a lot of innovation in that format and some outstanding imaging that's really changing the stodgy perception of News/Talk.
Bonus Questions
1) What are your hobbies?
I'm a private pilot, and finishing up my instrument rating in the Cessna 172. Remember: "You can always walk away from a bad radio break, but not always from a bad landing!"
2) What gets you upset at work and how do you channel your anger?
After you read a thousand school closings, someone will call and ask if there is school closing. You just have to be polite and remember they might get a diary someday.
3) Do you read.....everything? Books, Magazines, etc. Nothing? What's your favorite reading material?
I read Time magazine cover-to-cover every week, never skipping a story. Knowing something about everything pays off in this business. At least that's the excuse I give to justify my OCD reading habits!
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