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10 Questions with ... James Baker aka Jim Kelly
December 13, 2005
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NAME:James BakerTITLE:APD/MD/Air TalentSTATION:STAR 101.3MARKET:San Francisco, CACOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:1:13 am in San Francisco (French Hospital - now Kaiser)RAISED:San Francisco Bay Area
Please outline your radio career so far:
APD/MD/Air Talent KIOI San Francisco (1/2002-present),
APD/MD/Air Talent KBIG Los Angeles APD/MD 8/99 - 12/01 (4/98-12/2001),
Air Talent/Music Coordinator Westwood One Radio Network - Valencia CA (12/95-8/99)
PD/Air Talent KZIO Duluth (12/93-10/95)
Prod. Dir/Air Talent WNVZ Norfolk (4/93-12/93)
APD/MD KEWB Redding (10/91-4/93)
Air Talent KUFX San Jose (4/91-10/91)
APD/Air Talent WTBX Hibbing/Duluth (7/89-11/90)
Air Talent KWIN Stockton (1989)
Air Talent KYUU San Francisco (1988)
Air Talent for more stations than I can remember back to 1983!1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I worked in research with Terry Danner at 99.7 KYUU San Francisco Summer 1981- (NBC O&O...Competition to KIOI then). I learned about how to put AMT lists together, Callout hooks to P1's and interpret research.
Some of my early on air influences were Dr. Don Rose, Big Tom Parker, Bob Anthony, Marvelous Mark McKay, Bill Lee, Jack Armstrong, John Mack Flanagan, Harry Nelson, Don Bleu, Rick Shaw, and Jeff McNiel.
There are two more people who made significant impact on my career and I would not be where I am today without their help. 1) Dave Sholin of KFRC/RKO then as National Music Director/Top-40 Editor Gavin, and 2). Craig Roberts of KITS/KFRC/KYUU/Westwood One. More recently, Jhani Kaye and Michael Martin, both brillant Radio Guru's!
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I began listening to KFRC in the mid-70's and the radio magic the jocks created was second to none and made you not want to turn off the radio even to sleep! I think the first time I set foot in KFRC in 1978 to meet John Mack Flanagan, that's when I knew I wanted to be on the air and be a part of that magic.
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
That's a tough question because the vibe has changed from then to now, and there are so many more outlets for listeners to get entertainment! I still would do it, but instead of wanting to be a night jock, I would probably gear myself to morning drive if I was going the Air Talent route. I don't think I could ever get used to getting up at 3:30 though.
4) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
San Francisco is probably the most ethnically diverse market in the country, which means it's a challenge to program here. It never gets old! The Bay Area is the best market in the country, but the most competitive because of San Jose, Sacramento, Modesto/Stockton, Monterey, Santa Rosa signals get in the metro to some degree.
5) 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?
This format could have a profound impact if it is well programmed, but in the Bay Area the jury is still out on whether 2 of these types of stations will have the impact like KCBS has done in LA. The "oh wow" factor only goes so far with some of the songs a "jack" station plays. Let's see how many Jack stations there are next year, and how many Jack stations become Hot A/C's?!?!
6) What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?
KYSR Los Angeles because it is quickly getting back on track due to Mike Marino's Direction.
7) What are your three favorite artists or songs of this year?
Anna Nalick, James Blunt, and Tina Cousins
8) How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?
I go out to see where my listeners live, what they listen to at clubs and I go to a lot of shows (large and small) to get the vibe. These include show in the City (SF), Contra Costa, or San Jose areas.
9) Most of us have known or even worked for a "colorful" owner/GM/air talent. Care to share a story? (The names can be changed to protect the innocent).
A PD I worked with one time had a very bad temper and whenever something did not go his way, he used to walk down the hall and slam all the doors and then hide in his office. Needless to say I had enough of this person really quick and found another job within a few weeks!
10) What is your station's weakest daypart and what are you doing to turn it around?
For many Hot A/C stations nights are a challenge because of the At-work positioner. At night, the only show in recent memory that has really cut through (besides love songs) is The John Tesh Radio Show. Improvements were seen during the summer, but the tell tale book will be in the Fall.
Bonus Questions
How did you get your on-air name?
I have had several on air names over the years. Two I will tell you about. For a long time, I was known as Howard Johnson (Hojo on the Radio), Wayne Coy named me when I was at WTBX and I used it through '93 at KZIO. When I got to Westwood One, my PD Bill Michaels said, "I'm not having a hotel working for me so go down to the jock lounge and come up with a name. You have one hour before I have to let the affiliates know!" So I walked in the jock lounge and saw USA Today on the desk and then QB for the Buffalo Bills Jim Kelly was on the front page and the rest is...ah well you know.
You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have 5 CDs with you. What are they?
The VH1 Big 80's
Michael Buble/It's Time
Anna Nalick/Wreck Of The Day
Maroon 5/Songs About Jane
Journey/Greatest HitsWho is the most amazing talent you've worked with?
That's difficult to say...it's a toss up between Charlie Tuna at KBIG or Don Bleu at KIOI.
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