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10 Questions with ... Kim Carson
December 6, 2005
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NAME:Kim CarsonTITLE:Middays/MDSTATION:WLHT (95.7 W-LITE)MARKET:Grand Rapids, MICOMPANY:Regent BroadcastingBORN:Detroit, MI.RAISED:Detroit, MI.
Please outline your radio career so far:
WDRQ/Detroit
Z-95.5/Detroit
WDFX/Detroit
WCSX/Detroit
WAMG/Milwaukee
WMAG/Greensboro
KJYO/Oklahoma City
WRVF/Toledo1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
WKVQ in Knoxville, Tennessee. "Rockin Ron Baptist" gave me my first break on the air. He was my mentor. He took me under his wing and put me on the air at a time when there were almost no women on the airwaves. He taught me everything I needed to know to have a lasting and fulfilling career. Early influences include WDRQ in Detroit, Michigan when Bill Bailey was programming. "WDRQ is a Ball"...yes, he even had me answering my telephone that way. There were the Q-Ballers basketball team, Q-Tips, The Q-Line, tons of fabulous Q-music, talented jocks and an unbelievably fun radio station. To this day I believe that was one of the best programmed radio station to ever hit the airwaves in this country.
2) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
Grand Rapids feels very much like a major market. I LOVE this city and it's people! You always have to be on your game because things are always changing. Plus we're right in between Chicago and Detroit. What makes W-LITE unique is the guy who programs it! I am so blessed to be working for/with Bill Bailey. He understands air talent and people in general. He has this innate ability to motivate and bring out the best in each and every person who is under his leadership. He is passionate about radio, he believes in excellence and he is a great teacher and leader. We also have a marvelous GM, Phil Catlett. In any business, how it all comes together, starts from the top and rolls down. Phil has an open door policy which is rare in this day...and refreshing too.
I have worked for a number of companies over the years and I can honestly say that after all these years that Regent Broadcasting is right up there at the top. They do radio even better than it was meant to be done.
3) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
I believe the most important issue facing radio today is the lack of localism. It's hard to be local when you've got so many stations voice-tracking a number of markets all over the country. It's not the same as living there and being immersed in the vibe of your particular city. I know...I did it! Without that personal connection to your audience something huge is missing. Thank goodness we are live and local. We are connected to our community! There's something about the adrenaline rush of doing a live show and creating on the spot. No going back to fix something...thinking fast on your feet. It's the difference between live theatre and film. It's still a rush! I worry about new talent trying to break in the business and having no place to start since more jobs are disappearing because of voice tracking.
4) In today's world of multi-tasking and wearing many hats, how do you find time to show prep and what sources do you use?
I subscribe to a number of tabloid magazines. It's fun stuff to talk about during the day when everyone is busy working. Doris McVay, Mike's wife is FABULOUS at the stuff she provides for us. I don't know where she gets it but it's better than any service I have ever seen. Of course, you have to stay local and the Grand Rapids Press provides all of that for me. I am an avid reader of anything and everything, so I usually have much more than what I can use. I also try to watch the more popular rated TV shows...whether I like them or not. If the masses are giving it a thumbs up it has to be topical.
5) Describe the relationship you have with your fellow co-workers?
How do they motivate you? I know I sound like a broken record here but even my co-workers are the best! Everyone here is very respectful of each other and we all work at a pretty high level. I don't see the back-biting, egos and loud yelling that I have seen working at other stations. Since everyone works at such a high level it pulls you up and makes you responsible for doing better too. I see it in all the departments from engineering to sales from production to traffic from promotions and programming to human resources...even our receptionist Theresa, takes pride in her job. It's really amazing.
6) What do you like best about your job? Least?
I LOVE doing my "Lite Rock Cafe Hour" from noon-1pm. I get to talk to listeners, play their songs, put them on the air and have some fun. Least? Waking up at 8 in the morning. I did morning drive before I came here so maybe 8 in the morning isn't so bad after all.
7) As an air-talent how has industry consolidation helped or hurt you?
It has definately driven down the salaries. That is a really bad thing. There are less jobs because there is more voice tracking, one jock may be voice tracking one or two stations. That means one or two less bodies to fill those positions. Cookie cutter radio makes radio boring and completely removes the excitement and spontaneity of communication. There are fewer companies within each city, which also reduces options for an air talent. I see nothing good about consolidation on the talent or listener side. On the other hand Wall Street sees it differently.
8) What do you enjoy most about music scheduling?
The creativity and the thought process that goes into mixing and matching songs, sounds, notes and moods in my head. It makes me feel like I am providing the audience with a variety of perfectly tempo'd hit music in a familiar, friendly and comfortable atmosphere.
9) Please describe the best or worst promotion you've ever been part of?
When I was working for Brian White at WDRQ in Detroit we did a contest where we were giving away a car a month with $$$ in the glove compartment. Corvettes, Mustangs, BMW's, ...the jocks would check the car of the month out and drive it around the city as their own vehicle for a few days just to get it out on the streets with "You Can Win It...93FM WDRQ" on the car. We all lived in different parts of the city so those cars were all over Detroit. We would phone in locations when we were out and about so people could pop in and see the car. Wish I could remember how the listener could win it but I can't...I'm guessing Brian White would remember. :-)
10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Mike Wheeler sai d about air talent "No matter what happens in radio, the cream always rises to the top." Ron Baptist always said that "Every career change that happens, no matter how bad it may seem at the time is only temporary and things will always work out for the best in the end." He was right! Someone said be careful of who you're stepping on because you'll see the same people on the way up the ladder that you'll see on the way down.
Bonus Questions
How did you get your on-air name?
Ron Baptist asked me what I wanted my radio name to be? I said Autumn Johnson...he said no because it sounded like a hooker. So later that day I was in a music store and I remember seeing Kim Carnes and thought she was very pretty. So I told Ron I came up with some names...How about Kim Curry? He's says that's stupid just keep your real name if you're going to use that. I said how about Kim Carter? He says, no that's not good if Jimmy Carter does poorly in office it will be a negative. So I said what about Kim Carson? He says yeah that's great because everyone knows and loves Johnny. So that's how that came to be.
How do you stay in tune with your audience?
I do a lot of remotes, I enjoy speaking to schools, I do charity work, and I work the phones at W-LITE. I am our audience demo so it is easy for me to stay in tune with what they're into because I'm probably interested in it too.
Do you have any good stalker stories? Misty requests? "Fatal Attractions?"
I was doing the Quiet Storm (a love songs show) in Toledo and had just written and published a book o f poetry. One of the local TV station's did a feature on me and my book "Essence of Life: A Compilation of Inspiration and Poem." Some guy gets it in his head that I am talking to him over the radio and the poetry is for him. He parks outside in the station parking lot every night. Later he thinks I'm his wife and we are married. After restraining orders, threats directed at him by a couple guys at the radio station etc., he was finally sentenced to prison for 6 months.
Besides your own, what format would you like to program and why?
I had this innovative format idea that I had while I was working at the Christian radio station in Toledo. I had plans to put it on the air but it never came to fruition. But one day...
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