10 Questions with ... JulianOnTheRadio

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started as an intern back at Z104 in my hometown of Washington DC. I essentially worked my way up and did everything. From promotions, to becoming an AE for a year, than becoming the jack of all trades for the night show eventually led me to board-opping to doing part-time on-air shifts. My first full-time gig after that was at Q101 in Harrisonburg, VA about 2 hours from the DMV. After less than a year working in the area I was able to do weekends + late night shifts for Don London at Z104 in Virginia Beach. During that same time I was able to also do weekends at the new HOT 995 in Washington DC for Jeff Wyatt. This was after sending countless emails and packages prior. I'm sure Jeff was like "lemme see what this kids about":) 

I was driving 3 hours back and forth for a year doing shifts at Z104, and HOT 995. I knew I had to get as much experience as possible. So, I'd literally drive back and forth to be on-air literally 3-5x a week. That led to my first BIG full-time break in my hometown nonetheless. The HOT 995 NightShow I credit Jeff for recognizing my drive, creativity, and hustle over "years of experience at the time". After that, I went to Chicago to host evenings at B96 Chicago, then hosted Mornings at the same station. From there, I did Afternoons at KZZP-104.7 Kiss FM Phoenix + tracked a bunch of stations for IHeartMedia. From the Valley of the Sun this led me to a transfer to the Bay Area for KYLD-Wild 949 to host Afternoons & tracking a few stations as well. After Wild, I started to voice-track a rack of stations right before COVID and during that time as well. I was tracking 7 stations across the country. From MOViN 92.5 Seattle, HOT 107.1 Denver, LIVE 95.5 Portland, 997 NOW San Francisco, Channel 94.1 Omaha, Mix 97.3 Birmingham, etc). This brings me to currently hosting Afternoons here in Seattle for heritage KPLZ-Star 101.5.

WWZZ-Z104, Washington DC - Promotions/Account Executive/Nightshow Jack of All Trades/Part-Time Personality
WQPO-Q101, Harrisonburg - Evenings
WNVZ-Z104 Virginia Beach & WIHT-HOT 995, Washington DC - Weekends, Fill-In, Late-Nights
WIHT-HOT 995, Washington DC - Evening Host "The Freekshow"
B96 Chicago - Evening Host "The Nite Ninja"
B96 Chicago - Morning Host "J & Julian Mornings"
KZZP-1047 Kiss Fm, Phoenix - Afternoon Host + tracked on a bunch of IHeart stations (Baltimore, Chicago, Tulsa, Virginia Beach, etc) across the country.
KYLD-WILD 949, San Francisco - Afternoon Host + tracked IHeart stations (Phoenix, Hawaii, and Tulsa).
Independent Voice-Tracker on 7 Stations for: 997 NOW San Francisco, MOViN 92.5 Seattle, Max Media Denver, Alpha Media (Portland + Louisville). and Summit Media Stations across the country.
KPLZ-STAR 101.5 Seattle - Afternoon Host + voice-tracking for 997 NOW San Francisco, LIVE 95.5 Portland Afternoons & 997 DJX Louisville Middays 

1. How would you describe your first radio gig?

My first radio gig was awesome. I can't say enough good things. I started at Z104 in the DMV which is Washington DC. It really was like a family type of vibe. I got to work with Melissa Hawes Daddio in promotions, to Mathew Blades, who at the time hosted the hottest night show in the market. I really had an opportunity to soak it all in, which is really what I did. 

2. What led you to a career in radio?

Not knowing what exactly I wanted to do is what led me to radio. I interned at a few other stations in the DMV and at the time I was pretty shy, so I was fairly quiet. I was kinda lost to be honest.  It wasn't until Z104 is where I found my calling. I think once I was able to see what all the jocks did in the studio on-air, interacting with the audience is where I fell in love with it. Particularly, the interaction portion is what I really enjoy.

3. You got to be on the radio in your hometown (Washington, DC)? What was that like for you?

It was a BLESSING. To have friends from school, and family hear you daily is something I never took for granted. I really credit Jeff Wyatt for bringing out the best in my creativity at the time when radio was more about "pushing the envelope" so to speak. This radio game is all mental. He knew how to instill confidence in me and let me be fearless, without me being in fear of him if something didn't go as planned. I was essentially doing a Morning Show at night. Without getting into specifics we did some crazy stuff at that time. But, hey it paid off in the ratings. I definitely learned a lot, made mistakes and grew from all of it. It was one of my favorite times in my career.

4. KPLZ is basically a “new” station. What’s it been like to be a part of all of that?

I wouldn't say "new" exactly, but moreso the next step in the chapter of KPLZ, and where it needs to go to stay competitive in today's marketplace. So far it's been amazing. Our company president, Jim Kalmenson, will call or text me sometimes to just see how I'm doing and settling in. How rare is that? I'll answer that for you--VERY RARE!  It feels like a small family that looks out for one another on a very real level without ulterior motives. My PD Lisa Adams is so cool. She allows us to be the best version of who we are, but will let you know what can be improved. I love that everything she asks us to do, she would do or already does herself. Our VP of Programming Mike Abrams and GM Gary Greenberg are equally dope. Because, the transparency is real and the support we have here just hits different. Lastly, I will say I LOVE that everyone on the station looks and sounds different from each other. This is not the traditional Hot AC. We are all so unique…from Moug & Angie, Lisa Adams, to myself, than Rick Party. We bring 5 very different flavors.

5. You’ve covered quite a few formats and dayparts over the course of your career, what do you love about doing afternoons on a heritage Hot AC station?

Well, right now I’d call this the "retraining period.” I am extremely interactive. I love it and am really good at it. That means on-air and on-line. So, while maintaining the current audience, trying to attract new people is exciting to me. It's a battle. Giving our best effort in this is my focus. I literally have had some people say things like ‘I've never had anyone have this long of a conversation asking about me, and what I like before.’ I talk to everyone that calls or messages. 

6. You also stay busy tracking in other markets and formats—where and when can we also hear you?

Definitely! I do afternoons for LIVE 95.5 Portland. Which, last I heard, is doing fine and has been doing very well ratings wise. So, to the people that boo-hoo over voicetracking. Well, you're in the minority. I also track middays for 997DJX in Louisville, and I do weekends and fill-ins at 997 NOW San Francisco. 

7. Who would be the ultimate “dream guest” to have come in and sit across from you on your show?

There are sooo many. But, I'd say off the jump Eminem comes to mind. 8 Mile is one of my top favorites. I've followed his career since day one. He doesn't do a lot of press, and is pretty reclusive. I know his story has a lot of layers and he's been through a lot. That intrigues me. Now, if the guest is no longer with us I'd have to say Robin Williams. I remember the day he committed suicide--I cried.

8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Believe in yourself and block out the noise. I've been through a lot. I could literally write pages through personal experience, but I'll save the bandwidth. I'll save it for a podcast. I will say this though. Through the toughest part of my career I've had people try and tell me who they think I am, OR what I'm worth. Remember this. YOU narrate who you are and decide what you're worth. 

9. What were your favorite stations growing up as a kid? Jock(s)?

I grew up in the DMV, so definitely Donnie Simpson, and Elliot in the Morning. I don't really have any favorites. I listen to certain stations for specific reasons. I would stream Z100/New York for obvious reasons, Breakfast Club, KIIS in LA ( Jojo is an amazing natural communicator ) and KANE (RIP). For a while now though, I have been watching a ton of podcasts. The opinions and content on some of these are just fire and entertaining. These are some of my favorites. Flagrant 2, Brilliant Idiots, No Jumper, Call Her Daddy, Aba and Preach to name a few. 

10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

I'd say every manager I've worked with has been a mentor of sorts, and had an influence in my career. I've learned and credit all of them.  But, I go back to my first major market PD, Jeff Wyatt at Hot 99.5 a major mentor for me. I remember he once said, ‘If you're not tired after your show, you're not working hard enough.’ He really motivated me to take risks on-air, and be myself without being in fear if things didn't work out every time. That's how you get better. Todd and EB over at B96 are also great and always have been 100% with me. Really good guys over there. I credit Phil Becker at Alpha Media, whom I can call anytime, and have honest transparent conversations. Lastly, Jazzy Jim Archer has been super cool to me. He has always offered honest no bullshit insight if I need advice on anything. As busy as he is, he's always down to make time for his staff. You can talk to him like a person, not a manager. Rare.

Who has your all-time favorite interview been with? What was the station and what was the circumstances?

I'd say Justin Bieber at B96/Chicago, I think we were one of his very first interviews. He was like 15 and obviously super excited. You could see and hear the innocence at the time. A clip actually made it into the movie "Never Say Never."  A close second was when Carley Rae Jepsen stopped by at B96 and I don't remember exactly how it happened but some flirting occurred in studio which led her to saying something like "Call Me...Maybe". True Story