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10 Questions with ... Matt Luecking
October 18, 2005
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NAME:Matt LueckingTITLE:MD/Promotions DirectorSTATION:WBOWMARKET:Terre Haute, INCOMPANY:Crossroads CommuincationsBORN:Evansville, INRAISED:PRinceton, IN
Please outline your radio career so far:
1995- WMGI, Terre Haute (part-time swing-weekends- 1995-1996)-WCBH-Terre Haute-Overnights 1996-1997, WMGI, Terre Haute-1997-2005-Overnights, Nights, Afternoons, Middays, Music Director, APD, and Program Director, August 2005 to present-Promotions Director and Music Director at WBOW, also August 2005 to present-WZPL in Indianapolis, weekends!
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
That would be WMGI in Terre Haute. My early influences were Beau Richards-for all the promotions ideas that were bigger than life, Rich O'Brien, Greg Vincent, and Steve Smith.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I would have to say that my defining moment was listening to Greg Strassel "Fast Eddie" on 96 WSTO in Evansville, IN. My mom took me antique shopping every weekend, and I sat in the car and listened to the radio. I started working on saying the positioning statement, and introducing songs at an early age.
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
I think I would still do it, but I would always be thinking about the next chapter of my career. To not have a plan "B" in this business is not always the best idea.
4) What can we be doing with our station web sites to better our stations as a whole?
Keep them updated. It looks terrible when you go to a site, and there is nothing current on there. Listeners are busy, the website should be used to enhance what we talk about on the air, and give the listener more. I love the "Freeloaderz" thing that Scott Sands does up at WZPL. Listeners love that stuff!
5) How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?
I look at a lot of music websites, and I of course check All Access every day. It really is a great informational site.
6) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
Being compelling, and dealing with all the competition from other forms of media for advertising.
7) 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?
Personality always wins in the end doesn't it? I would be surprised over time if the phenomenon of Jack lasts. It may be around in some capacity, but I doubt it will get all the buzz that it is getting now. It reminds me of those 80's formats that people were talking about not so long ago.
8) Tell us what music we would find on your car or home CD player, I-Pod, (or turntable) right now?
I love Gavin DeGraw, Sister Hazel, Rob Thomas, Beth Hart, and Michael Buble.
9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
You never know when your last show is. Always give your best every day. Every place that I have worked I felt like I gave my best to the listeners. I never wanted the listener to be cheated by not preparing for my show, and by not answering the phone, and returning E-mails. I am absolutely amazed at the jocks that busy out the phones, blow off listener E-mail for days, and fail to prepare for their shows. It really eats at me.
10) What is the most rewarding promotion or activity your station has ever been involved with to benefit the community or a charity?
We just did a benefit dance at Honey Creek Middle School in memory of my former co-worker Sharla Creators-Daniel and her daughter Lanie who were tragically killed in a car accident. The proceeds went to Riley Children's Hospital in Indy, and the American Cancer Society. We are doing a "Flyaway with the B promotion that is fun now for listeners on-air as well.
Bonus Questions
How often do you air-check your own shows?
It is mandatory that you run tape everyday! Also, can you honestly critique yourself? I try to listen about once a week.
In your opinion, what is the greatest song ever that never made it as a hit?
"Someday We'll Know" by the New Radicals.
What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
Work hard, and always have everything you do documented and on tape. Always treat people well, you never know who might lead you too your next job.
What's been your biggest disappointment in Radio today?
Finding people that truly love it. The [lack of] money scares a lot of people away. Part-timers not being guided properly bothers me too. We need to all spend more time grooming the future generation.
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