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10 Questions with ... Paul Kraimer
August 30, 2005
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NAME:Paul KraimerPOSITION:APD/PDSTATION:JACK-FMMARKET:MinneapolisCOMPANY:Infinity BroadcastingBORN:August 31, 1964 - Eau Claire, WIRAISED:Menomonie, WI
Please outline your radio career so far:
Power 99, KEARNEY, NE, 1987-1989 - KZ-93, PEORIA, IL 1989-1991 - SWEET-98, OMAHA, 1991-1992 - B103, STATE COLLEGE, PA, 1992-1993 - WXCL, PEORIA, 1993 - WHMS, CHAMPAIGN, IL, 1993-1998 - WIFC, WAUSAU, WI, 1998 - WXPT/KZJK, MINNEAPOLIS, 1998-Present.
1) What was your first job in radio?
Working nights in KEARNEY, NE (a.k.a. The Edge of Civilization) at a Rock 40. Early influences? DAVE BARRETT and JEFF STEVENS were great to work with in KEARNEY, then moving to PEORIA, OMAHA and back to IL, where KEITH EDWARDS really helped me develop my talents and knowledge of radio. He is the one I probably owe the most to...and beside, 15 years ago I told him I would mention his name in an industry interview. And I can't forget to mention DUSTY HAYES, there's a man who knows too much about music, but is a wealth of knowledge.
2) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
How can our night jock give props to the pizza joint in return for a free pizza without getting fired?
3) Just about every market has a station flipping to "Jack," "Bob," "Max," etc. What are your thoughts on this new format? Will it go the distance? Or is it just a fad?
Come on, you really want me to answer this? Of course it will go the distance, it has proven legs over nearly 4 years. This "fad" could last longer than Paris Hilton.
4) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?
Country. Talk about a format that plays everything. Their songs are Pop, AC, Rock AND Alternative all in the same format..
5) How have music file sharing services, affected the way you program to your audience?
It has helped create Jack. Compare Jack to the Rock 40's when I started and you won't find too many differences. I think we played Milli Vanilli next to Guns N Roses almost 20 years ago.
6) How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?
Ask the NY Attorney Generals office, they'll have a great answer for you.
7) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
Don't be afraid to fail. If you don't try you'll never know how it could have worked. Your successes will be greater than your failures, and you'll learn immensely from both.
8) How often do you air-check your own shows? Is it mandatory that you run tape everyday? Also, can you honestly critique yourself?
I ran tape on my shows (when I was on the air) daily. I always listened, and if you can be honest with yourself and let the love go, you can honestly critique yourself.
9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
It's always easier to ask forgiveness than for permission. Just ask Keith Scott.
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
No regrets. Only great memories, great listeners (and a few freaks) and great friends...wait is this the audition for a beer commercial?
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 and don't limit it to your format?
Halle Berry. You didn't say it had to be a music artist!
What do you do with a song you don't like?
Delete it.
What do you do in your spare time?
Voice gigs, audio/video editing...check out www.KraimerKreative.com. Also softball, some biking and of course just sitting there doing nothing.
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