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10 Questions with ... Jeff Thomas & Jenn Jordan
May 8, 2023
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Jeff: Born and raised just outside Boston. Got my first full-time job at WTHT (then FM103) in Portland, ME. From there, worked mostly afternoon shifts at WWGT/Portland, ME, KWOD 106/Sacramento, HOT 97/NY, and WFLZ/Tampa before teaming up with 'FLZ middayer, Jenn Jordan for mornings at sister-station WSTR/Tampa. In 2002, we came to work for Q102, and the rest is history!
Jenn: I started at my college radio station, WEIU at Eastern Illinois University playing classical and jazz. While at school, I interned at WLRW in Champaign-Urbana, got hired and worked there until 9 months after graduation when I went to work part-time at The Power Pig, WFLZ in Tampa. Started full-time middays within a couple months and stayed there for 9 years before moving across the hall to Star 95.7 with Jeff to do mornings. We lasted for about a year and a half before they canned us and we came to Cincinnati.
How would you describe your first radio gig?
Jeff: Well, my VERY first radio gig was at a 10-watt, student-run radio station in my hometown's high school (WAVM/Maynard, MA). I was in the fourth grade, but the station's faculty advisor allowed me to participate in the high school program because he thought I showed exceptional passion. This was 1977 – and in those days, you had to be licensed by the FCC to operate – so I studied for the test, passed, and managed to get my Third Class Operator permit at the ripe old age of 9!
Jenn: My college radio station had block programming. Classical in the morning, Jazz in the afternoon and then rotating genres in nights. Reggae, Alternative Rock, 50s and 60s, Bluegrass. I started in Classical and it was a special kind of torture. On staff we had a lovely woman, Elaine, who was a concert flutist and her father was a conductor for the Boston Pops so she really knew her stuff. She was always there to make sure we were pronouncing the composers and director's names correctly so we didn't sound like total morons. If for some reason she wasn't there and we screwed one up, she had friends who would call her to let her know and we'd hear about it. I was so happy to graduate from mornings and do some the easier night shows.
What led you to a career in radio?
Jeff: I've been fascinated with the medium for as long as I can remember. As a kid growing up in the 1970s, the radio was always on in our house, or in the car. The DJs I grew up listening to on WBZ/Boston – Carl deSuze, Dave Maynard, Larry Glick – they always sounded like they were having so much fun. They felt like real friends to me. Radio just seemed like a very cool way to connect with people.
Jenn: I majored in Communications with an emphasis in Radio/TV/Film, thinking I wanted to be on television. I planned on working my way up through news and becoming the next host of Entertainment Tonight. We had both a radio and tv station at school and before they'd let you on tv, you had to do radio. So I did and I thought it was pretty cool. It didn't take me long on the tv side to realize that it wasn't anywhere near as much fun and I bailed pretty quickly to focus all my energy on the radio side. Sophomore year, I got an internship about an hour away at WLRW and got hired to run Casey Kasem (on album) from 6-10 on Sunday mornings. My program director Matt McCann was in the building one Sunday morning and had me crack the mic to do a weather report. He pulled me in his office and told me I had one of the best female radio voices he'd ever heard and was going to turn me into a jock. I did weekend overnights until I graduated when they moved me to full-time overnights. I was an hourly employee making $500 a month when I was hired at The Power Pig.
The two of you have been making morning magic happen together for over 20 years now. What do you think that some of the keys to your success and longevity have been?
Jeff: I'd say chemistry is the biggest key. You can't manufacture that. I've witnessed shows with super-talented people, implode – not because they lacked talent or creativity – but because the hosts simply didn't gel. As individuals, we couldn't be more different, but when the mics go on, the chemistry between the four of us feels effortless. We're also lucky enough to work for a company that believes in fostering talent, and providing us with the tools we need to grow and succeed.
Jenn: The connection, the relationship, the chemistry, the curiosity and the ability to laugh at ourselves. We get the art of conversation and know where to lead each other. We can take a pretty average everyday topic, ask each other a couple questions and turn it into a really entertaining conversation. I think people can sense the authenticity and can tell that we are actually having a good time. Our audience feels like they know us, and they do because we share so much of our lives.
What do the other morning show players - Fritsch and Tim bring to the team?
Jeff: Aside from being great producers and content creators, Fritsch and Tim balance out the room with differing perspectives on life, and their own unique brands of humor. Fritsch is a busy mom to a 6-year old. Out of all of us, she's probably the biggest consumer of pop culture and entertainment. Tim and his husband, Chris, lead pretty active social lives, and they're well-connected to the community. They're everywhere. Our show is an ensemble show…and if just one of us are out sick or on vacation, the show is still great…but it feels different.
Honesty and candor on the air is a big part of what you do, and social media makes it harder to 'lay low' these days. When you meet listeners what kind of questions do you get?
Jenn: Lots of questions about Second Date Update. 'What is the matter with people, how did they not know why they never got a call back? Do you ever have people not answer the phone?' And more. Then I get a lot of questions and comments about being a mom to my autistic son, Jakob. People are very kind, supportive and appreciative of the awareness I spread. I've had other autism moms hug me and cry in the middle of Target more than a couple of times.
When's the last time that one of you has said something that completely surprised the other?
Jeff: I think when Jenn revealed that she was a Chinese empress in a previous life (and wasn't trying to be funny). Not that I completely dismiss the idea of reincarnation, but have you ever noticed how everyone who insists they were reincarnated seem to think they were some form of royalty? Then again, if you knew her, it's kind of on-brand.
Jenn: When he announced he was getting married for the third time. I knew he would probably be with Kristen for the rest of his life, but really thought he'd given up on the whole marriage thing. It was a happy surprise.
You've had a 'who's who' of guests on over the years. Who have some of your favorite guests been? Is there someone who has eluded you thus far that you think would be a great guest?
Jeff: I'm not trying to be funny – and I don't mean this disrespectfully – but I think the best guests would be dead celebrities. I've thought about this a lot. Prince, John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Jim Morrison, Elvis, Kurt Cobain. I wish there was a way to do a sort of post-death interview – just to get their thoughts and perspective on the world today, where it's going, and how they would've lived differently if they could do it all over again. Jenn seems to think I could accomplish this with a medium, but I don't want a middleman. I want these interviews one-on-one.
Jenn: Tracy Morgan (he went off the rails), P!nk is always just cool, Jason Bateman because I think I'd like to marry him. But my favorite interview was when we had Rob Thomas and Kyle Cook from Matchbox 20 at our 10-year anniversary party. We had a bunch of listeners there and we did a long interview and they performed. It was one of those interviews where there was an instant rapport. It was so easy, it flowed. It was a connected and powerful conversation. I just remember walking away from that and feeling like we nailed it.
Talk about some of the things that you've done in the community that have been the most gratifying.
Jeff: I work with local law enforcement and advocacy organizations like Family Nurturing Center, Mayerson Center at Cincinnati Children's, and CHNK Behavioral Health that help kids who have experienced trauma or been abused. I survived repeated sexual abuse as a child – and I discuss it publicly to help remove the stigma, and hopefully change the way society reacts and responds to child sexual abuse. I've met other survivors who've told me that my story inspired them to speak out, seek help, and begin the road to healing. But the most gratifying is when parents of victims tell me that my story inspired their child to alert them of abuse that was taking place. In those cases, it feels like a life has been saved.
Jenn: I did a TEDx talk a few years ago about life with my son on the autism spectrum, probably my favorite thing I've ever done. I do speaking engagements and I love those opportunities. I serve on the board of a non-profit who's building a community for adults with developmental disabilities. I love being a voice for my son and the disability community.
What's your all-time favorite backstage memory?
Jeff: The most thrilling was my first! It was 1988…I was backstage with Whitesnake at the Cumberland County Civic Center…I was star-struck…and I got to go on stage and introduce the band! I'd never been in front of that many people before, and the roar of the crowd was a total rush. I'll never forget the feeling.
Jenn: I was so in love with Jon Bon Jovi when I was in high school. When I was in my mid-20s, I was working at FLZ and Bon Jovi came to town. I was backstage and it was the coolest set-up ever. Big room, booze, appetizers, and people were just hanging out and socializing. I'd thought I had moved past my obsession but when he walked up to us, I froze. All I did was say 'hi.' As he walked away, I snapped out of it and ran after him. I told him that I had loved him ever since I was in high school, that I had cried at his concerts and while watching his videos. And all I wanted in the world was a snuggle. He just laughed and gave me the longest hug ever. He was awesome.
What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
Jeff: Hands down, KISS 108 in the 1980s – Sunny Joe White, Dale Dorman, Jo Jo Kincaid, JJ Wright, Ed McMahon – and of course, the legendary Matty Siegel!
Jenn: I grew up in a small town about 40 miles southwest of Peoria, IL. I didn't have many options. KZ93 was the Top 40 at the time so that was my pick. When I was in college, I had my uncle in St. Pete send me recordings of the Power Pig. I loved everybody there, the Three Little Pigs, Tim and Tom, Hawk and Marty. I made it my goal to work there by the time I was 28. They hired me at 22. Big dreams come true!
Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
Jeff: Veteran programmer, Harry Nelson was a great mentor. A former RKO Boss Jock of the 1970s, Harry was instrumental in boosting my self-confidence, and made me feel like I could actually make a living at this. Veteran programmer Gerry Cagle – another veteran programmer and RKO alum – taught me how to grow a thick skin. My current boss, Patti Marshall has patiently spent the last 18 years refining me as a personality. As far as influences go – I've learned a ton from listening to the way Howard Stern preps and interviews his guests. Also, Stern and former KISS 108 morning legend, Matt Siegel (whom I've never met) are my gold standard when it comes to being authentic on the air.
Jenn: Matt McCann, the first guy to give me a shot. Then Marc Chase and BJ Harris who hired me sight unseen in Tampa. The whole Power Pig experience was a once-in-a-lifetime gig. There was only one rule, 'do whatever you want, just don't lose the license.' A whole lot of creativity can be cranked out when you have an environment that is pure reckless abandon. Couldn't imagine living my 20s in a better way in a better place. Now as a grown-up, the leadership and brilliance of Patti Marshall at Q102 keeps me grounded and focused. She gets me.
Bonus Questions
Jenn's question for Jeff: If you could live in any city in the world, where would you choose, and why?
Positano, on southern Italy's Amalfi coast. Visually, it's breathtaking – and the air smells like lemons.
Jeff's Question for Jenn: Where do you want your soul to land in your next life?
Since I've already been a Chinese Empress, a Patron Saint, and a Knight of the Round Table, I'm not sure I can top any of those. I really love my life now so a do-over could be fun. I'd stick with the same childhood, same parents, same place, and same experiences. But then maybe some different choices later just to see what happens…going to a different college, making healthier lifestyle choices, and choosing different partners. Ultimately ending up a brilliant, vibrant, wiser version of myself. Hopefully in a tropical location with a modest home right on the beach. Bora Bora or Fiji would be nice.
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