10 Questions with ... Krash Kelly

NAME:Krash Kelly TITLE:PD STATION:KBPA (103.5, BOB FM) MARKET:Austin, TX COMPANY:Emmis BORN:Texas, Early 70's RAISED:Austin

Please outline your radio career so far:

KFYO/Lubbock - On Air
KHFI/Austin - PT On Air
KRLB/Lubbock - MD
KHFI/Austin - AMD/APD/PD (5 years)
KXXM/San Antonio - PD (5 years)
KBPA/Austin - APD/PD (2 years)

1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?

I shoved my way through the door of my college radio station at Texas Tech University, and they really didn't want anything to do with me. But I kept pushing, and finally they stopped pushing back and I got on the air. I LOVED it! I had all the standard 'AM Influences' from KOMA in Oklahoma City to WLS Chicago.

2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?

I wouldn't have a clue how to do anything else. I tried 'outside the biz' for a couple of years and I almost went crazy. I made a ton more money, but just wasn't happy.

3) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?

First of all, Austin is unique in itself as the "Live Music Capital Of The World." Here, the musical influences are everywhere! It's a fast paced, young, vibrant city... but not that different from any other market. People here like the hits just as much as anywhere else. Only difference with what we are doing here with Bob-FM, is that we're playing four decades of hits.

4) How have the recent FCC regulations impacted the way you program your music and the station's dialogue on the air? What are your feelings about these recent changes?

Our humor and attitude on Bob FM is all "tongue and cheek" and we don't have any high-profile personalities so it hasn't been something we have had to worry about locally. I think so much of it is politics, but I can assure you our version of "Erotic City" is a clean edit!

5) How do you feel about the new royalty rate increases for Internet Radio?

It's ridiculous that we still can't play AFTRA talent on the streams yet, let along these enormous proposed fees. A compromise needs to be fast-tracked or everyone is going to lose-out when streaming moves overseas out of regulatory reach.

6) How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?

Programming Top 40 for over 10 years, I continue to be a fan of the format. And since Bob FM is essentially a Top 40 for a 25-54 hit music fan (and we play currents), I keep an eye on what is happening in both Top 40 and Hot AC. We're not breaking new music here, but we also aren't spinning five-year old records and calling them "new."

7) If you are wearing more hats this year than last, what area is suffering and how are you handling that?

In my career, I have always been used to wearing a lot of hats. But with the changes in the way the audience uses media, figuring out which hats are necessary, and discovering which hats we need to 'create' to stay viable in the future are the biggest challenges. We are blessed at Emmis to work for a company that understands that and supports this.

8) How do you feel about the new royalty rate increases for Internet Radio?

It's ridiculous that we still can't play AFTRA talent on the streams yet, let along these enormous proposed fees. A compromise needs to be fast-tracked or everyone is going to lose-out when streaming moves overseas out of regulatory reach.

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

Biggest problem: The perception that radio is a dead medium. Radio is alive and well, and will continue to be as long as we adapt. With TiVo and DVR, YouTube, etc... would you want to be in TV right now doing things status quo?

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

As long as we continue to adapt and explore all the new opportunities, this is going to continue being an amazing and vibrant industry. Wall Street has pushed the demise of radio since Satellite began, and look how strong the reach of terrestrial radio continues to be!

1) What can we be doing with our station web sites to better our stations as a whole?

They are an integral part of the terrestrial signal, (and will continue to grow) and as such should not end up the dumping ground for everything that would never hit the air. Websites have great revenue potential, so we must make sure we don't make the same "value added" mistakes with them as we did years ago with our on-air product.

2) Have you explored launching an HD Radio channel?

We have a multicast channel, "Austin's Smooth Jazz at 103-5, HD2." This is a perfect market for the format, and it has already generated great buzz in just 6 months.

3) 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?

Well, we just had out 7th #1 book 25-54 (W'07). Seriously though, despite some high-profile struggles in the Adult Hits format, there are some great success stories. (WPYA-Norfolk, WARH-St Louis, WRRK-Pittsburgh, KCBS-LA... just to name a few) Rhythmic AC has had some early struggles in some markets, but I think it's too early to tell. I'd bet you'll see some rebounds this summer in that format.

4) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?

Stick with it and grow a tough skin. Even on the toughest days, this beats the hell out of selling insurance!