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10 Questions with ... Rick Andrews
November 1, 2005
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NAME:Rick AndrewsTITLE:PDSTATION:92.9 WEZQ-FMMARKET:Bangor, MaineCOMPANY:Cumulus MediaBORN:3/29/66 Bangor, MaineRAISED:Bangor, Maine
Please outline your radio career so far:
WZON-Bangor, Maine (MD/Overnights)
WIGY-Bath, Maine (Nights)
WNYZ-Utica-Rome, NY (MD/Afternoons)
KZOZ-San Luis Obispo (PD/Afternoons)
KABG/KQEO/KOSZ/KIOT-Albuquerque, NM (Mornings PD) (KIOT APD/MD)
WEZQ-Bangor, Maine (PD/Afternoons)
Writer/Researcher for the Nationally Syndicated Program "The Classic Hit List" Hosted by M.G. Kelly
I have just started up my own Image Voice company at www.rtaproductions.com1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I remember being seven years old and wanting to be on the radio. I used to set up two record players in the backroom of my Parent's house and have a cassette recorder with my pre-recorded commercials and a "stack of wax" to segue and do intros. I used to pull 6-7 hours shifts in that room. The pay wasn't great, but at 7 years old I didn't have to worry about paying any bills.
2) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I would love to get into the field of Voice Animation. I have a lot of character voices I do and have a wide range and pitch. I still have the dream of someday doing it as a side job. I know that a lot of times that actors who portray a role in an animations film do not sign on for their voices to be used in Electronic games/videos or toys, so there is a market for original character voices and "sound-a likes.
3) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
All I have to say is that when Television came onto the scene they predicted the death of radio...now, they are predicting the death again because of Satellite and internet radio. BOTTOM LINE: Radio is FREE to its listeners. We will always be there for them and will not charge them a dime to tune us in. Fads come and go and satellite and the Internet will find their niche, but they are a subscription service. Radio will always be free and will always survive. It will continue to evolve, but it will always be around.
4) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
I have a few, but one of my Favorite Personalities would be Rich Creeger. He and I made a hell of a team in California. I learn so much from him and we were a very creative "think tank" together. We kept raising the bar for Central Coast Radio and he is a truly talented Programmer and Morning Personality.
5) What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?
I enjoy listening to WDRV (The Drive in Chicago). That was the station we modeled KIOT (Coyote 102.5 in Albuquerque, NM) after. One of the jocks I have the utmost respect for there is their midday personality-Bob Stroud. He is a master in relating to the music, community and his audience. Bob, my hat's off to you!!!!!!!!
6) 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?
I find the formats to be interesting. I can't speak for the people who have put these formats on the air. I think in some markets it has the possibility to do quite well. Will it ever be a RATINGS MONSTER? I doubt it. The uniqueness of the format is that it plays a wide variety of music, but are we programming to the audience or to ourselves? Just like other formats that were given birth in the past-the playlist is huge (reason? To try and gain as much cume as possible), but when the station doesn't start hitting their numbers, the playlists will begin to shrink...Programmers/Consultants will start saying it's "time to trim the fat" and play only the biggest and best testing records. Jack/Max/Jill, etc are in their infancy right now-and just like a baby it's learning to walk and going through it's growing pains. It has a long way to go before it becomes an adult.
Like I said, those formats start out strong in cume, but the TSL (in most cases) is or will become weak.
One of the key factors to help those formats will be air talent. Live and Local. Right now some stations have a morning show (either piped in or local), but the rest of the day is a jukebox. They try to say things like it's your own personal I-POD. Well, with I-Pods each individual picks their favorite music and its not interrupted by commercials or imaging. (so to me, the I-Pod strategy or slam is self-defeating). Radio 101-RULE #1-You can't please all the people all the time. If you try...You will fail. (and the format wheel keeps on spinning).
7) What format does not exist that should? Would it work?
I was joking around with someone in the office the other day and said they should come up with an offshoot of the Classic Hits format. Jack has Jill for Variety Hits and AC, so I popped off and said let's have a "Classic Stiffs" station. I can hear the sweepers now. "Forget the Music tests, forget the audience scores, forget the songs you know and love!!!! This is your home for Classic STIFFS...don't worry if you don't know the songs-neither do we." Oh by the way!!! That format would tank!!!!!! lol
8) What's your take on current music? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same? Elaborate.
Music is cyclical. Always has been-always will be. Each format goes through a phase where there is great music being put out, then a huge dry spell. Or a format will find the sound/flavor of the month and then force-feed that same sound into every artist/group they pump out. You will notice that Gold base formats are more consistent than a lot of current based formats. Gold based formats are playing the proven hits-they're familiar and for lack of a better word, safe. Listeners take comfort in familiarity. People are afraid of change. (If you haven't done so, read "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson). What Michael Jackson's "Thriller" did for Top 40 in the 80's, Guns N' Roses/Nirvana/Alice in Chains (and the seattle grunge sound) did for the 90's. When you are a Gold Based format you can always rely on your Gold library to get you through the rough spots, but when you are current driven-there is no where to go.
9) As an air-talent how has industry consolidation helped or hurt you?
In my humble opinion, the only MAJOR downside of Consolidation is that Radio Stations do not have the luxury any more of building a "Farm Team" of Talent. When I first started in '81, new people were allowed to learn their craft and experiment. Start with Weekend Overnights and work your way up the ranks. Nowadays, most overnights are a "jukebox with imaging and sweepers or voice tracked by a jock already on staff. How do the young broadcasters get their experience and learn the craft. To me, that is a shame. There are "diamonds in the rough" out there, but a lot of times "there's no room at the inn".
10) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
Don't give up on the dream. Never lose the passion, remember why you got into this business in the first place. Learn all that you can from as many people as you can. Take in all the information and then shuffle through it at take the best advice from each person. Don't be afraid to take chances and think out of the box. Remember-we are in the entertainment business-so, let's entertain!!!!!!!!! It's all about "The Show" whether it be in the studio or on location. AND NEVER THINK FOR A MINUTE THAT YOU ARE INDISPENSABLE. Don't let your ego over ride your passion. Your radio station is the STAR not YOU!
Bonus Questions
What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
I have always tried to learn as much as I can about each Department in Broadcasting. I have always been a sponge when it comes to knowledge about the business-even before consolidation. The days of "putting all your eggs all in one basket" are long gone. You need to be organized, know how to multi-task, be able to handle multiple airshifts/formats. Learn about imaging/production/sales/Management. Not only should you be a leader in this business, but a mentor and set the example for your staff and team. Be someone who can jump in and rise to ANY challenge offered. Whether it be your primary station or one of your sister-stations. If there ever comes a day when you can say "I have learned all I can in this business " then, it's time to change careers. Radio is always evolving and changing-learn to adapt and embrace the challenges.
You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have 5 CDs with you. What are they?
1) Back in Black-AC/DC
2) Zeppelin 4
3) Sports-Huey Lewis and the News
4) Dark Side of the Moon/Pink Floyd
5) Transformer Man-William Shatner (I need something to break into a sharp object to spear the fish)Who are some of the great talents you have had the pleasure of working with over the years?
(In No Particular order)
Tim Maranville (Consultant) - One of the smartest Programmers/Consultants I know and a great friend. I can always count on him to give me an honest opinion.
Rich Creeger (PD) - An incredible PD and great Morning Talent. I learned a lot from him when we worked together and thank him for his friendship.
Lance Ballance (PD) - Another Programmer that taught me a lot about the AC format and a very good air talent coach.
M.G. Kelly (Nationally Syndicated Air Personality) - One of the most down-to-earth radio personalities out there. He was always approachable and believed in my abilities to make me his writer/researcher for "The Classic Hit List".
C. Mac (PD) - My PD at WNYZ in Utica, NY. He was a great air-talent coach. He helped me to learn how to do a break in :10 and make it fresh every time.
Joe McMahon (GM) - Joe taught me to think outside of the box when it came to programming and promotions. When he got out of the business a few years back-it was a MAJOR loss to the industry.
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