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10 Questions with ... Chuck Knight
June 21, 2022
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I’ve been lucky to work with some of the great companies in the business. Jerry Lee Radio, Emmis, Saga, Pyramid and Fort Myers Broadcasting. Truly committed local teams with limited corporate layers and decision makers in the building allowing us to get things done.
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
I worried I wasn’t good enough to be on the station--Top 40 KISD/Sioux Falls, SD. They hired me over the phone, no in-person interview and prior to streaming. When I got to town and heard the awesome talent on the station, I knew I was going to have to really bust it to keep up with the other jocks. Including Joe Dawson, Tom Evans and Magic Mike McKay.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
Once I heard the music and jocks coming out of the speakers, I knew this is what I wanted to do. It was magic. I was 7. I’m lucky to be living my lifelong dream of doing radio.
3. You’ve been programming in Southwest Florida for a year and a half now. What’s it been like to do your thing in paradise on a daily basis?
It’s an awesome area. I love hot weather so I’m in the perfect place for that. I love being outside but you actually freeze coming back inside to the AC. Check back with me after I experience my first hurricane.
4. How did navigating the pandemic make you a better programmer?
The two biggest events during my career are 9/11 and the start of the pandemic. Both events required us to pivot from what we knew to be our role, entertainment, to an unfamiliar serious role of information providers. We had to evolve to the listeners’ current wants, needs and desires. I think that taught us to be confident to span the range of emotions in our content with that of the listeners.
5. No two AC stations seem to sound the same or do it the same in 2022. How do you know when a “current” is ready for WINK?
I believe, a song goes through three phases of development. First, it has to become familiar. ACs count on market airplay to do this. We pick up at the next phase, acceptance. And the final phase of development is passion. Not every song achieves the passion phase but we better make sure the majority do. This is why you don’t see many AC-only songs on the chart. With five and six hour rotations, we just can’t make them familiar enough on our own.
6. How does the Logan & Sadie morning show set the table for the rest of the station’s broadcast day?
We were able to put this show together a year and a half ago so we’re still in the introductory phase. Logan & Sadie have done a wonderful job in bringing their real lives to the air. That’s what cultivates the listener relationship. We’ve always believed that the morning show sets the image for the radio station. And these two are real, relatable, approachable, fun and local. Then Jason Drew and Rick Shockley keep us moving throughout the rest of the day.
7. You spent a great deal of time working for one of the industry’s great innovators, Jerry Lee, in Philadelphia at WBEB. Are there things that you learned from him that you still use today?
I learned a lot from Jerry and the WBEB team. I think the best thing I learned from him was following his example. Jerry is one of the most positive and inspiring people I’ve ever met. He was the person who we wanted to win for. He always had a lot of ideas but was a great listener too. After discussion, Jerry was never afraid to let go of his idea for a better one. Those are some great attributes. I try to be like Jerry.
8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Honesty…and treat people like you want to be treated. Let’s have fun.
9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
I grew up in the upper Midwest. WLS, KSTP, KAAY, KOMA. John Landecker, Marvelous Mark Larsen, Real Don Steele, Smokin’ Joe Hagger, Chuck Britton.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
We’re a sum of our past experiences. Jerry Lee, Blaise Howard, Jim Loftus, Steve Goldstein, Rick Cummings, Chris Woodward Duncan, Bill Moyes, Terry Patrick, Gary Berkowitz, Steve Davis, Steve Reynolds and everybody else I’ve been lucky to work with.
Bonus Questions
Your market is a destination for vacationers, especially during the cold weather months up north. What are some of the places that locals are hip to that folks should know about prior to their next trip south?
Let me speak to this question in a different direction. Snowbirds, when you come down here, please don’t drive 55 in the left lane. The speed limit in Florida is 70. Locals drive 85 and we’ve got places to go.
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