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10 Questions with ... Brian Davis
September 13, 2005
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NAME:Brian DavisPOSITION:APD/MDSTATION:WKSZMARKET:Appleton And Green BayCOMPANY:Woodward CommunicationsBORN:Iowa City (Nine days after losing the ability to kick Dick Nixon around)RAISED:There's no easy answer to that question; I went to 11 different schools in eight different cities before I finished high school. You'd have thought my parents were jocks.
Please outline your radio career so far:
1996: KILR/ESTHERVILLE, IA (Nights)
1996-1998: KXMX/CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (MD/Overnights)
1998-2002: KATF/DUBUQUE, IA (APD/MD/Afternoons)
2002-2004: WVRE/DUBUQUE, IA (PD/MD/Afternoons)
2004-Present: WKSZ/APPLETON-GREEN BAY, WI (APD/MD/AFTERNOONS)1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I did nights at KILR-AM & FM in Estherville, Iowa, simulcast for a time on then-sister KEMB/Emmetsburg, Iowa. So being a dutiful jock, the first words out of my mouth every break were "95.9 FM, and AM 1070 KILR, and 100.1 KEMB..." It was difficult to get much else in, really.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I really liked "WKRP in Cincinnati." And no, that's not a smart ass answer-that's really the reason.
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Yup. Might have done a few things differently, but who wouldn't? The industry's not as close to death as some would have us believe.
4) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I like to think I'd have tried my hand at acting or writing. But I'm pretty sure I'd just be running a convenience store.
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5) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
Well, we have this football team...
6) 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?
It hasn't really affected us other than a hilarious memo on things we can't say...but that's not the way we roll, so we weren't saying those things anyway. I'm pretty conflicted on how I feel about Uncle Sammy's sudden interest in content: on the one hand, I'm not completely convinced that you have to be dirty to be entertaining...but on the other, I personally like that kind of humor, and it bothers me that we're working out of the "we won't define it but we know what's dirty when we hear it" playbook.
7) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?
I see the industry evolving and rolling with the changes. (As REO Speedwagon would say). I see myself in a multi-station operations role.
8) What can we be doing with our station web sites to better our stations as a whole?
Keep them fresh. There needs to be fresh content on the front page every single day. We're not doing it as yet, but I believe the jocks (especially morning shows) need to be blogging and perhaps even podcasting.
9) What is the biggest change that you'd like to see happen in the business?
More in the marketing budget, less voice-tracking, and live developmental overnight shifts.
10) What's your take on current music? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same? Elaborate.
I know it's probably illegal or something, but I wish that all the labels would get in a room and coordinate their release schedules. I was desperate for music a few months ago, and now I've got good records that won't see the air because I don't have room. That really didn't answer the question, did it?
Bonus Questions
What is the most rewarding promotion or activity your station has ever been involved with to benefit the community or a charity?
WKSZ and our Woodward sister stations raised over $400K for the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin during our four-day radiothon last year. It's pretty amazing, hellishly difficult, and pretty rewarding. I'm looking forward to cranking that number north this year
Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
Time management. Now...If only I had time to do it...
What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
If anyone tells you you're asking a stupid question, understand that it's that person who is stupid. If there's a question in your head, ask it. Read everything you can get your hands on. Learn the history of the business...Yeah, you better know why Z-100 is important now, but you also need to know why Z-100 was important 20 years ago...along with WABC and WLS and KHJ and KLIF, too. Know why it's 11 o'clock at The Voice Of Labor. Better figure out production and imaging, and learn something about sales and at least try to understand engineering. You better know how to update the website and if you can build it, so much the better.
As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
Well, yeah. But my wife's had a heart transplant and breast cancer and if there's one thing I know, it's this: hospital food SUCKS. And also that life's too short for regrets. Live in the now, baby...live in the now.
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