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10 Questions with ... Ian Richards
March 28, 2022
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started my career in Flint, MI at WRCL as Music Director and hosting nights. After a few years, I joined 98.7 AMP Radio in Detroit as a weekend talent while still full-time at Club 93.7 in Flint. Two years later was hired full-time as Music Director and afternoon host at 98.7 AMP Radio. Fast forward ten years while being promoted to APD then PD, I was let go in December 2019. In July 2020 I joined WFLC HITS 97.3 in Miami as Director of Branding and Programming and midday host. In September 2021 I added Director of Branding and Programming for Easy 93.1 which I current program both in Miami.
How would you describe your first radio gig?
Flint is home, so it was amazing to be on a station in your hometown! It was some of the most fun I’ve had in radio. The phone rang like no other market I’ve worked in.
What led you to a career in radio?
I started in television and was working for the FOX affiliate in Flint and ran into Clay Church who was hosting a nightclub for WRCL. He told me to stop by the station and the rest is history as they say.
You’ve recently made some tweaks to the format. How’s the response been from your listeners?
The response has been amazing! Listeners are really gravitating to what we’re doing on HITS 97.3! The music is a mixture of current and gold-based hits (no pun intended). You can’t listen to the station without hearing a hit song, which every listener wants…to sing their favorite song!
Martica Lopez arrives early next month for afternoons and as MD. What are you looking forward to about having her join your team?
Really excited to add Martica to the HITS team! She brings experience in Miami and is eager to learn and grow. She will be an immediate game changer in the community, on social and on the air.
Her arrival will move you from afternoons to middays. What do you still love most about cracking the mic every day? Being local, bringing my dad jokes and personality. I can’t imagine not being on the air. It’s something I’ve done pretty much every single day for the past 15 years!
Who would be a “dream guest” to have on your show?
Being from Michigan, I would have to say Eminem. Still find it hard to believe that I spent so much time in radio and still have never met him. I have so many questions.
“Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
Arriving in Miami during a pandemic has had its challenges, but I feel like we’ve done a great job of connecting with the community through on-air, events and our community focus program. Both brands (HITS 97.3 and Easy 93.1) are both currently nominated for Crystal Awards which show just how connected we are to the South Florida community!
What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Don’t burn a bridge. You never know who you will work with again in this industry. That part-timer could be your boss one day. So, treat everyone with the respect they deserve.
What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)
I’ve always been into hip-hop, growing up I would listen to Soopa Dave on WDZZ and his nightly countdown. I’d take an old cassette tape and try to record the Top 9 countdown and call-in to be a guest host…sometimes waiting on hold all night!
Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
There are a few! Nathan Reed who works for CMG in Tampa. Nate was my first PD in Flint. Clay Church who was also in Flint and my PD taught me a lot. Tim ‘Rayne’ Rainey while I as at WDZH in Detroit helped me grow as a Top 40 programmer! All are still very good friends of mine and have meant a lot to my career and where I am today.
Bonus Questions
With the FTX Arena at your disposal and an unlimited budget, which 3-5 acts would you pull together for a station bash?
So, money isn’t an option?!? I’d get N’Sync back together, have Rihanna on the lineup and add a little Miami flavor to it by having Pitbull. Can we make that happen? That would sellout in a minute!!
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