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10 Questions with ... Bob Campbell
July 5, 2006
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NAME:Bob CampbellTITLE:PD/Morning Show HostMARKET:Greensboro/Winston Salem/High PointCOMPANY:Davidson County BroadcastingBORN:Danville, VA (Longer ago than I want to remember)RAISED:Lovely Danville (The city of churches)
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I was part-time as a teenager at WYPR, "The Big 97." [I was] warped at an early age listening to the Greaseman at The Big Ape and The Real Bob James on WGAR Cleveland. (Ah...the joy of picking up an AM signal from WAY out of town)
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I'm a radio brat. My dad ran a station in town, but the real moment I decided "this is it" was when the punk band I was singing for in Richmond, VA broke up and I realized I was never going to be Lou Reed. has so much to offer, from the Falls to great professional sports, not to mention world-class wineries, people STAY.
3) How do you position the station musically and why did you choose this direction?
Our research (a monkey, a midget, and a guy in a Darth Vader suit) showed a big hole for a HOT AC positioned in between the long time dominant Top 40 WKZL and AC WMAG. So that's where we sit.
4) How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?
Listening, watching, hanging and having my 17 year old daughter keep feeding me downloads.
5) 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?
With our format it hasn't been an issue. And hey, I haven't been fined by the Feds since 2002. Personally, I'm waiting for the "Thought Police" to show up and ask us all for "our papers" before shipping us to the Gulag.
6) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?
Still bitching and moaning about the next new technological trend and wondering where all the "talent" went. I'll still be pursuing my personal career path of trying to get everything done before noon so I can get the handicap into single digits.
7) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
Maintaining our relevance to the audience in a world of increasingly rapid technological change.
8) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
Ow, so many stations, so few decent jocks. I gotta go with an old friend who is absolutely unique, Bill Shahan in Charleston.
9) Tell us what music we would find on your car or home CD player (or turntable) right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?
A pretty eclectic mix. In the car right now I have Collective Soul, Sinatra, The Jim Carroll Band and a couple Johnny Cash CDs. Oh yeah, and Lucinda Williams.
10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
I always think just after I speak.
Bonus Questions
What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?
WRIF Detroit, possibly the only great Rock station left.
What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you at a remote?
Actually at a Judas Priest concert in Akron when I introduced them as the Scorpions (it's a long story). The worst part is that it's on video.
Please describe the best or worst promotion you've ever been part of?
The best was a stunt called "Balls in a Bucket" at WONE Akron. Three guys with their nads on ice to win concert tickets, with color commentary by comedian Carl LaBove. Absolutely insane! The worst was a mind numbingly dull sales promotion in Huntington called "Little Red Wagon".
What approach do you take after a soft book?
Panic, followed by depression, followed by a dissection of everything we do to see what we can do to improve in all areas.
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