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10 Questions with ... Jules Riley
May 28, 2007
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NAME:Jules RileyTITLE:PDMARKET:St. LouisCOMPANY:Bonneville InternationalBORN:May 17 - St. Louis, MORAISED:St. Louis, MO; Rochester, NY; Memphis, TN; Orlando, FL; Charlotte, NC; Richmond, VA; Kansas City, MO.
Please outline your radio career so far:
WCLG - Rock Morgantown, WV - Air Talent - 1995-1996
WFBY - Classic Rock Clarksburg, WV - PD/Air Talent - 1996-1997
KDVV - Rock Topeka, KS - PD/Air Talent - 1997-1999
KFXJ - Classic Hits Wichita, KS - PD/Air Talent - 1999-2001
KICT - Active Rock Wichita, KS - PD - 1999-2001
OM - Wilkes Barre, PA - - 2001-2005
WBHT-CHR - WMGS-AC - WBSX-Active Rock - WARM-AM -Talk
WSJR-Country
(I was also Air Talent on BSX from 2002-2004 and PD of WSJR from 2004-2005)
WARH - Adult Hits - St. Louis, MO - PD - 2005-Present
WMVN - Rhythmic AC - St. Louis, MO - PD - 2006-Present1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I was on WXJM, the college station at JMU in Harrisonburg, VA. After graduation, I continued to work for free and interned at 98.9 The Rock in Kansas City. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with some very smart and creative people.
2) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Yes, as frustrating as some days can be, it's still a really cool job. You
get to be creative, listen to music and spend time brainstorming things like how best to celebrate "National Talk Like a Pirate Day".
3) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I worked at Dillard's and a video store in high school and college and realized I really did not like working directly with the public and vice versa. I was always a music freak, I like to be the center of attention and I'm naturally bossy. It was a good fit.
4) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
With The Arch, it's that we really have no musical or traditional format barriers. To be successful in the Adult Hits format, you have to be creative, new, and do your best to stay away from tired ideas and features. It is really freeing to work in a format without limits. I think the experience of working with The Arch has really helped me push the limits and be more creative with Movin'. I am fortunate to work with great staffs on both stations. They bring a lot of creativity and energy to the table.
5) Have you explored launching an HD Radio channel?
We have two in full bloom. The Arch Deep Cuts, which is a great Deep Rock Channel programmed by Al Hofer who does afternoons on The Arch and ichannel, which is all unsigned artists from all over the globe. You can check it out at www.ichannelmusic.com.
6) Just about every market has a station flipping to "Jack," "Bob," "Max," or "Movin' Rhythmic Hot AC. What are your thoughts on these new formats? Will they go the distance?
I really like them. I think they're great! Please note that has no connection to the fact I program an Adult Hits (that is the name we prefer :)) and a Rhythmic AC. Any new station has to find a niche, find your value in your city, and continue to refine and adapt. I don't think music lists can be created in Detroit and work in Orlando, the same for imaging. You can absolutely take an idea and adapt it to your city, it's when you take it and don't adapt it that you run in to trouble. Both The Arch and Movin' grow and change daily based on research, product and market conditions. Both are currently going the distance (great, now I've got that Cake song in my head).
7) Tell us what music we would find on your I-Pod right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?
You'll find Rolling Stones, Pat Green, Collective Soul, Brand New Immortals, Pete Yorn, Plus 3, Coolio, Sugarland, Echo and The Bunnymen, Elvis Costello, Jack Johnson, Grateful Dead, Jet and Quad City DJ's to name a few. I like it because the mix is interesting and it keeps you guessing. I try to put together a library that will cover any possible mood I may be in the midst of.
8) What can we be doing with our station web sites to better our stations as a whole?
Sounds cliché, but compelling interactive content. Give listeners a reason to check out your website multiple times a day. Our incredibly talented web team in St. Louis (Jen, Mike, and Phil) just did a redesign on www.movinstlouis.com to make it more interactive. We moved it to a blog format, instead of stale boxes with stock pictures. Each piece gets special treatment and can be commented on. We have seen a drastic increase in page views since the launch last week. The air and promotions staff have done a great job of updating and creating unique content. It's a great extension of our brands.
9) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air? (dead air ... forget a mic was still on ... etc.)
The one I'm willing to discuss...I was on air in Morgantown, WV. I accidentally cued up the wrong song on The Rolling Stones "Some Girls" CD. Ever listen to the lyrics of the title track? It played all the way through, I called my PD and fessed up. He asked if anyone called to complain. I said no. He said it didn't happen. I agreed.
10) What has been the station's biggest accomplishment?
For The Arch, it has been 5 books in a row at #1 (P25-54) overall and 8 in a row at #1 (P25-54) Prime. It could not have happened without the great team assembled from the production and imaging, to the business office, to engineering, sales, web, promotion, programming and Bonneville Corporate.
Bonus Questions
1) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
Learn all facets of the business, production, promotion, sales, engineering, programming, on air. You don't have to be great at everything, but you should have a basic knowledge of all of it. The more skills you bring to the table, the more valuable you are.
2) What do you enjoy most about music scheduling?
Seeing how bizarre segues can look but still sound good. Linda Rondstadt into Ratt was a particularly good day.
3) Do you have any good stalker stories? Misty requests? "Fatal Attractions?"
Two, but as part of my restraining order I'm not able to talk about them, think about them, or go within 200 feet of them...I love you Sean Cassidy!
4) What are your biggest challenges working with these stations.
For The Arch, it's keeping it fresh with music and imaging. You would think with a huge library it wouldn't be a problem, but you are always looking for more music to keep things interesting.
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