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10 Questions with ... BJ Harris
August 10, 2020
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Radio!! Radio!! Radio!! The Power Pig, KX104, Y95, KIIS/LA, Y100, Z107, KZZP, 933FLZ, BJ105, HotSaltLake, KHFI, KISS/Cincy and many more….
1. You originally arrived at Alice to program the station in 2003 and moved to mornings the following year. After so many years in the PD chair, what’s it been like for you to just be able to concentrate on the morning show?
It’s awesome to just go in and do a show. It’s the reason many us got into the game to be “ON the radio.” I started doing mornings in 1990 at the Power Pig. But during my tenure in Tampa, I always had some management responsibilities. Either APD, MD, Program Director, Operation Director or National Director/CHR. Denver’s given me a chance to actually run the entire show and grow as a morning personality. In management you can have a lot of frustrating days. Not the case when you’re doing morning radio.
2. Co-host Jamie White plugged in next to you in 2012. Chemistry either happens or it doesn’t. What’s the secret to the longevity and success that keeps listeners coming back every morning?
Jamie and I have amazing chemistry. Jamie White is one of the most talented personalities I’ve ever worked with or even managed. The MJ (Todd Schnitt) and BJ Morning show (933FLZ) was very special too. MJ is super talented as well. So I guess you could say that I’ve been very fortunate to have been paired with these amazing people. My secret has been not trying to control the players in the room. The talent you hire--give them a chance to show their skills. Don’t be intimidated. Everyone is working for one cause: SUCCESS! Have fun in that studio.
3. How has the morning show played out during the pandemic? Are you back in the studio at this point? What has the experience been like for you?
Not so bad. No coronavirus here. My wife works in health care so I was required to quarantine early for two weeks in early April (all negative) but I did the show from home. Our show never left the studio. We haven’t missed a beat as far as being on the air. The real downside for us has been content. It’s felt like for five months we’ve been controlled (content) by coronavirus news. And of course morning drive in-car listening came to a standstill. In that regard it’s sucked. But we, as a show, haven’t had any health issues due to the COVID-19.
4. There’s talk about morning drive starting ‘later.’ What’s your take on that? Has the audience shifted around some?
Absolutely the audience is moving a lot later. I think more than anything “Morning Drive” has been cut in half!! TSL is also a real problem. People just aren’t listening as long. Our numbers show that the audience is up and active between 7:30a and 10a. Far different than the pre-coronavirus era (5:30a-10a).
5. In some hours, you’re only playing 6 or 7 songs—how important is music to what you folks do on the show?
Honestly we’ve just started playing a little extra music (past 3 months). And part of the reason is just “covid fatigue” for the listener. So much content continues to be school opening frustrations, vacation restrictions, closures, etc. All feels extremely negative and playing a couple extra highly researched songs can help. It’s impossible to stay away from the virus news with a show like ours.
6. What sort of social media keeps you the most engaged with your listeners, especially now?
All of them. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, etc. Everybody is posting!! We’re all working from home for the most part, and social media is our social life right now. It’s a way for people to express what they’re feeling through this pandemic. It’s important that a radio station knows those feelings.
7. What was it about radio that made you want to make it your life’s work?
I fell in love with the sound of Top 40 radio as a nine year old. I thought “how can these DJs get paid for having so much fun?” That’s for me.
8. What was your favorite station growing up? Jock(s)?
John “Records” Landecker 89WLS Music Radio Chicago…Spyder Harrison 1500WLAC Nashville…Chuck Britton 89WLS Chicago.
9. Who would you say that your mentors have been?
“Mentors”? To me Mentors mean the people who taught me this business and gave me a chance. Michael St John WWKX KX104 Nashville--he taught me the Top 40 format… music rotations /sizzling promos /jocks who stand out will win. Marc Chase Power Pig Tampa--Marc was the lunatic programmer, there’s nothing that couldn’t be accomplished according to Marc! Nothing. No fear with him. Randy Michaels--CEO Jacor/Clear Channel I’ve never met a radio guy that could out-program this guy! Randy (much like Marc) believed that “breaking the rules is the RULE!” He’s one of the greatest minds this business has ever seen. He gave huge opportunities in my career. Pat Paxton SVP/Entercom--Pat hired me when others wanted to stay clear of “BJ”. He brought me to Denver. Told me I was either going to program for him or do mornings for him. “You’re not doing both anymore!” I chose mornings and that was 17 years ago. I’ve worked with many great and talented people, but these are the guys that shaped my radio career.
10. You were part of the original team that put the legendary ‘Power Pig’ (WFLZ-F) on the air in Tampa in the late 80’s. Has the statute of limitations expired yet—can you share something crazy that actually happened there?
Yes I was. The statute of limitations will NEVER expire. Because what happened in Tampa was a murder. The killing of a legendary radio station named Q105. And all files are currently classified my friend.
Bonus Questions
What would be your pick be for the “Song Of Summer?”
Post Malone “Circles” or Lizzo--either works for me.
...And thanks, as always, to JOEL DENVER! -
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