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10 Questions with ... Justin Riley
December 12, 2006
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NAME:Justin RileyTITLE:PDSTATIONS:KSIIMARKET:El Paso, TexasCOMPANY:Regent CommunicationsBORN:January 27, 1982 in Yakima, WARAISED:Yakima, WA
Please outline your radio career so far:
KFFM/Yakima, WA January 1995-2001
KBKS/Seattle, WA (Weekends) 1999-2001
KQMB/Salt Lake City, UT 2001-2005<
KSII/El Paso, TX 2005-Present1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
Growing up, I loved listening to the radio, but I was more interested in what was happening between the songs. I started hanging out at KFFM when I was 12 years old. Lisa Adams (now PD of KVMX/Portland, OR) let me hang out with her at remotes, and eventually let me come to the studio during school vacations. She taught me how to run the board, and I began to board-op remotes. On my 13th birthday, the station surprised me by giving me my own show. Friday, January 27th, 1995, from 10p-Midnight...I made my debut. When I heard myself through those headphones, I knew I had realized at a very early age what my career path was going to be.
2) What led to your station's recent ratings increase?
In the Summer Book, we were #1 or #2 in virtually every Female demo, behind only the Mainstream AC. We ran Paige Nienaber's promotion "The Fugitive," which was a great success. Nothing like that had ever been done in El Paso. Musically, I think the Pop/Hot AC product has been great this year, and that definitely helps.
3) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
It was massive culture shock for me coming to El Paso from Salt Lake City. Obviously the biggest difference is the ethnicity. El Paso is nearly 85% Hispanic. So, it took me a little while to get comfortable with how KSII sounds musically. There is no Mainstream CHR, and no Alternative in the market, and therefore KSII is a very mainstream leaning Hot AC. JoJo's "Too Little Too Late" went to Power for us in a matter of weeks, because nobody else in the market would touch it. I really have a lot of freedom when it comes to the playlist, which is nice. In SLC, we were very focused because of how much competition there was in the market. Plus, the stuff that I call "Quaker Rock," like Dave Matthews or Jack Johnson for example, did extremely well in SLC. Here, we don't play either one of them. That style of music just doesn't test. The other thing I've noticed is how 'stuck in the past' this town is. We play more 70's and 80's product than any other Hot AC in the country, I'm sure. El Paso is very against change!
4) Have you explored launching an HD Radio channel?
We have talked about it. KSII is scheduled to go HD in 2008, so we still have some time to decide on what it will be. The two possibilities we've explored seriously are a retro channel with 70's & 80's product, or a new music channel.
5) What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?
KBKS in Seattle. The imaging is phenomenal, and the jocks always sound like they're having the time of their lives. They are very "plugged in" to the market, too. It is a very well programmed station.
6) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?
At this point, I'd have to say Alan Burns' new MOViN format. It's hit after hit of great up-tempo music. Plus, a lot of the music on the format was big when I was getting into the business, so it brings back great memories. I've been listening a LOT online.
7) What are your three favorite artists or songs of this year?
The Fray "How To Save A Life," K.T. Tunstall "Black Horse & The Cherry Tree," and Snow Patrol "Chasing Cars." All fantastic songs that were great for the format.
8) What's been your biggest disappointment in Radio today?
I hate seeing great programmers and air personalities being replaced by someone with less knowledge and experience, just to save a buck.
9) How do you interact with your sales staff?
Since I'm also the Promotions Director, I have quite a bit of interaction with the sales staff. I'm in the weekly sales meeting, and I often meet with them one-on-one to discuss things we're doing with their clients. I think it's extremely important to create synergy between the sales and programming/promotions departments, and I work hard to make that happen.
10) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
Learn as many different jobs around your station or within the industry as you can. The more you know and the more you're capable of, the less likely you are to get let go when the budget axe starts falling.
Bonus Questions
1) How did you get your on-air name?
When KFFM put me on the air, they made a big deal out of it. The jocks started calling me "Jammin' Justin," which I ended up using for my entire time there. When I left Yakima for Salt Lake, I had to tone it down since KQMB was a Hot AC. So, I shortened the "Jammin' Justin" to 'JJ', which I still use today.
2) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I love to fly and I have a Private Pilots license, so I'd probably be a flight instructor or an airline pilot.
3) Who is your best friend in the business?
Mike Nelson, PD of WMYX/Milwaukee. He was the PD of KQMB in SLC, and brought me in as his APD/MD when I was 19. We became great friends during our 4 years of working together.
4) Is there something interesting about you that we don't know?
I am completely deaf in my left ear, and have been since birth. So I have never heard true stereo sound in my entire life.
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