10 Questions with ... Brendan 'Beej' McNulty

NAME:Brendan 'Beej' McNulty TITLE:PD/MD/Sort-of-funny Morning Guy STATIONS:KBZI B100.7 MARKET:Pittsburg, KS COMPANY:American Media Investments BORN:March 20th, 1983- Glenside, PA (Just outside of Philly) RAISED:Spent all 18 years before college in Glenside

Please outline your radio career so far:

WICB & 106-VIC/Ithaca, NY (College) Various shifts, and PD of 106-VIC (2001-2005)
WRFY- Reading, PA - (May 2005- August 2005)
KBZI- Pittsburg, KS.- August 2005- Present (Yeah. I'm still a newbie).

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

My first "job" in radio was with Ithaca College's two radio stations, 92 WICB and 106-VIC. I was on the air within a week of getting to school. It was insanely intimidating, but thrilling at the same time. Once I cracked the mic for the first time (at 2am on a Tuesday) and I never looked back.

The first PAYING job was with Y102 (WRFY) in Reading, PA. I had been bugging our PD Al Burke for months to let me do weekends, and right around graduation, he finally gave in.

My early influences were those I heard on Y100 in Philly growing up. The likes of Bret Hamilton, Matt Cord, LeeAnn Curtis, Ben Harvey, Jon Von, Adam Potts, Preston & Steve and more. I was lucky enough to intern there before the station's demise.

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

The Pittsburg, KS market is unique because of its size, and it's proximity to the Joplin, MO market. The Pittsburg market covers eight counties in Southeast Kansas & Southwest Missouri. The Joplin, MO market is right next to us. The big 100,000-watt signals cover both markets well. Then there are a ton of smaller stations that hit only a few of the counties. It's hard to compete with the big sticks, but done right, it CAN be done.

3) How do you position the station musically and why did you choose this direction?

I'm a Hot AC that takes risks. We're a Hot AC station at the core, but I have no problems grabbing songs from CHR, AAA, and Alternative if they fit well. With two Top 40's, a Lite AC, an Adult Hits, to many Rock and Country stations (most with better signals than mine) I found balancing a Hot AC core with some extras brought in listeners, and kept them listening a long time.

4) How do you keep tabs on the competition? When your competition attacks you on the air, how do you react?

I'm always tuned into their stations while driving around. Checking their web sites, they really don't take too many shots at us. But I have fun lobbing one their way every now and then with breakers and such.

5) What are your three favorite artists or songs of this year?

I've REALLY been digging the new Jimmy Eat World single "Big Casino." The whole album is amazing. Finger Eleven's "Paralyzer" has been the biggest hit for us this year (and we played it before the others!). Blue October was huge too. I still get insane requests for them.

6) What led to your station's recent ratings increase?

With what seems like a scatterbrained, yet focused music presentation. I'm aggressive with new music, and as I stated earlier, I'm not afraid to stray. From Jimmy Eat World to the Starting Line, yet keeping 80's classics like AC/DC and Huey Lewis. Some might cringe, but it's the perfect balance to bring in young listeners and keep the upper end of the demo from wandering.

7) What other stations and markets do you like to keep track of?

I look at a bunch of different stations playlists including Star 98.7 in LA, 107.9 the Mix in Salt Lake City, WPST (94.5) in Trenton, G-Rock at the Jersey Shore just to name a few.

8) You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have 5 CDs with you. What are they?

1.) Better Than Ezra- "How Does Your Garden Grow"
2.) Dishwalla- "Opaline"
3.) Black Lab- "See The Sun"
4.) Something Corporate- "North"
5.) Anberlin- "Never Take Friendship Personal"

9) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?

No regrets at all. The only real missed opportunity isn't even my fault. If Y-100 in Philly were still around today, I'd probably still be there, either interning for free, or somehow convincing them to pay me.

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

Well, seeing as I AM a young programmer, I'm still taking the advice in. Mostly just keep plugging away. It's a difficult business, but one I don't ever want to leave. Your opportunity will come along.

1) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?

I grew up listening to Preston & Steve on Y-100 (now WMMR) in Philly, and I still listen to their podcasts every day. I'm not really a morning person (even though I'm doing mornings now), but I would love to strive to do a show like theirs. (Don't worry guys...I won't steal any ideas!)

2) How did you get your on-air name?

In my class growing up, there were two Brendans. So I switched to BJ (Brendan Joseph) to stand out. Then I learned the alternate meaning of BJ. So it morphed into Beej.

3) What's been your biggest disappointment in Radio today?

Too much voice-tracking. I understand it's a business move, but I feel you lose a lot of communication with the listeners, which doesn't help with satellite and Internet radio looming as options. If they can listen to the same thing with them, then why tune into us?

4) How much interaction do you have with record labels?

Sadly...not enough. Any record labels want to help me out? E-mail me beej@kbzi.com or call 620.231.7200. Word!