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10 Questions with ... Bo Jaxon
March 7, 2006
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NAME:Bo JaxonTITLE:Morning Show HostSTATIONS:KBBY (B95.1)MARKET:Oxnard/VenturaCOMPANY:CumulusBORN:5/16/68 Newark, NJRAISED:Jersey and Florida
Please outline your radio career so far:
Oldies 108 Las Vegas Oct '88-Jan '90
98.5 KLUC Las Vegas Jan '90-Oct '04
B95.1 Oxnard/Ventura March '05-Present1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
Morning Grunt for Johnny Burke on KUDA (Oldies 108)/Las Vegas, making his coffee, parking his car, bringing him breakfast, etc... but he taught me the business and I learned a ton from him about show prep, live appearances, and staying local!!!! I actually got the Morning Producer title and knew someday that was what I ultimately wanted to do, host my own morning show. Then Jerry Dean gave me a break at 98.5 KLUC (thanx Jerry), where I stayed for 14 GREAT years working every shift from overnights to afternoons to mornings to nights, getting my freak on 24/7 in Las Vegas on The #1 Hit Music Station!!!! The major influence in my career is without a doubt Cat Thomas (current PD at KLUC). He's one of the best in the biz!!!
2) What led you to a career in radio?
Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"? Being on Clearwater Beach, FL, 17 yrs old, and seeing Scott Shannon hosting a Hawaiin Tropic Bikini contest!!!! I said to my friend, "That guy has the greatest job in the world! I want to do that!!!" Six Years later, I'm hosting a "Sexy Booty Shaking Contest" at Club Rio in Vegas! Dreams come true!!!!!!!!
3) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
If you make your station the Best... your show the Best...they will come! Listeners will find the better product, so get your hands dirty, bust your ass and let the games begin!!!! Radio should be fun...keep it that way!
4) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
I think the industry needs to develop better air talent because music can now be found everywhere, but good air personalities are what separate stations from one another, as well as satellite and the Internet. Reminder to the "suits," take care of your airstaff, they make the difference!!! I just want to keep providing for my family, keep putting on fun shows and getting paid for a job I really enjoy.
5) Please describe the best promotion you've ever been part of?
The Best...I hosted "Latin Labido Night" at Club Rio in Vegas every Thursday for 8 years straight!!! 1,000-1,500 party people every Thursday! I have stories!!!!!!!!!
6) How do you interact with your sales staff?
I love them!!! Cumulus has a great sales staff at B-95.1 and it all starts at the top with our GM Gail Furrillo and Ernie, Mark, Shannon, Julie. I share ideas with them and help with producing and writing spots. Its a win, win for everyone, if I help make their clients happy...more remotes and endorsements for me.
7) What is the most rewarding promotion or activity your station has ever been involved with to benefit the community or a charity?
This past Labor Day weekend I camped out at The Pacific View Mall in Ventura, living in a storage POD (no shower or bathroom) collecting change from B95.1 listeners to help in Katrina relief efforts. I collected $48,000 in change. Adults and kids alike were breaking out the piggy banks.
8) What's the closest you ever came to getting arrested for an on-air stunt? Or did you actually get arrested?
Dangerboy and myself streaked (butt naked) across a new overpass bridge live on 98.5 KLUC!! It was great, listeners cheering us on, honking horns, the "Chariots of Fire" theme in the background. Then we heard sirens. We jumped in the station van and narrowly escaped!!
9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Don't burn any bridges...the radio biz is too small!!!
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
Look back?...I'm looking forward! What's my next challenge? How can I make the show better? Had a good book, lets make the next one great!!!!
Bonus Questions
You're stuck on a deserted island and you get to pick one artist to be stuck with you. Who would it be?
Jessica Simpson, she's on the rebound and just needs a little attention! Yummy!!!
Do you have any good stalker stories? Misty requests? "Fatal Attractions?"
This guy in drag, shows up at station, 3am, to show me his fake boob job, I'm not impressed and thank him (or her) for listening but you have to leave. He refuses and tries to push his way into station lobby. I threaten to knock him on his ass if he doesn't let go of the door and he says, "I can't believe you would he hit a lady!" Whatever "dude looks like a lady"...he/she wound up having a glass jaw and the wig flying off his/her head, was well worth the dead air. Only in Vegas!
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