10 Questions with ... Karen Blake

NAME:Karen Blake TITLE:Afternoon talent STATIONS:WODS Oldies 103.3 MARKET:Boston COMPANY:CBS ADDITIONAL EMAIL:info@karenblake.com BORN:Boston RAISED:Boston

Please outline your radio career so far:

WXKS (Kiss-108)/Boston, MA - 1979-1985
WZOU (Jam'n 94.5)/Boston, MA - 1985-1994 - Mornings, Evenings & Afternoons
WKLB/Boston, MA - 1994-1996 - Afternoons
WQSX (Star 93.7)/Boston, MA - 1996-2005 - Mornings
WODS - (Oldies 103.3)/Boston, MA - 2005 to Present - Afternoons

1) What do you like best about working in this format?

I like working the "Oldies" format because it gives me the opportunity to share common local memories with my audience. I was born and raised in Boston, so it's very easy and natural for me to tap into their emotions and make that special connection (which is fundamental when you're on the air in an "Oldies" format).

2) Who were your early influences?

Sunny Joe White: He taught me how to hone my personality and gave me a deeper insight into music.

Steve Rivers: I really respected the way he programmed, and I liked his management style. Steve always did his homework and didn't believe in cookie cutter radio. I appreciated that very much.

Richie Balsbaugh: He taught me how to think big in regards to marketing and promotion and was willing to give a young kid a chance.

3) What is your favorite part of the job?

Being on the air at a station where the listeners really react to the things we say. Our listeners are passionate about the music and the personalities. We have incredible audience participation, which makes my show a lot of fun!

4) How do you stay in tune with your audience?

Except for the fact I am on the radio every afternoon, I have a very normal life. I am married to a great guy and I have two step-children. Off the air, I have the same dreams, desires and struggles as my audience. And yes, I also worry about what kind of a world we are leaving for our kids.

5) What makes your station or market unique?

Boston has world class sports teams, diverse food and culture, the best universities in the world, outstanding medical facilities, world class entertainment venues and fabulous vacation spots within a two-hour drive. I think having all of that is very unique.

It truly is a large International city, but for those of us that grew up in Boston, it still has a small neighborhood feel. Oldies 103.3 always reflects what people are doing and how people are feeling.

6) How do you prep yourself for your radio shift?

I get up very early and watch the local news while reading all the local newspapers at home. I download show prep from several web sites, and then I decide what I want to use. I prep as if I were doing a morning show. I would rather have too much to choose from than too little. I like to take all the stories (including national) and figure out if they somehow connect to our audience on a local level. Before I do any "bit," I always make sure I have a clear "out."

7) What is your biggest challenge working at this station?

As Greg Strassell said to me, "I always get a slice of life from you in 10 seconds!" Although that is true, trying to do it in 10 seconds is a challenge.

8) How do you interact with your Sales Reps?

I understand that radio sales can be very challenging especially in this economy. As an air talent, I try to connect with them every single day to see if there is anything I can do to help with an account. That includes going out on sales calls. I realize that if the sales staff doesn't win, the jocks don't win.

9) What techniques do you use to get a celebrity to open up in an interview?

I just try and connect with them on a very real level. One time when I was interviewing John Travolta, I asked him about his kids and if they were really messy, "like...do they get cheerios stuck underneath the seat cushions of the couch?" He went off for 10 minutes about the kids and all the junk he has to vacuum up!

Just a few weeks ago I interviewed Neil Diamond. I asked him about his mother because she was in the audience of American Idol this season. One of the questions I asked was "Does she overly critique you...from the clothes you wear, to your singing?"

He laughed and said "When she sees me at a concert 'live,' most of the time she doesn't even like to look at me. She stares at the audience to watch their reaction and she tries to figure out why they like her son."

10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

You have to maintain a real and full life outside of the radio station. I believe that's what keeps you grounded. It is essential to being relatable on the air.

1) What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you?

When I worked with Matt Siegel at Kiss-108 he once told me, "You have to dare to be great!" I've held on to that advice to this day!