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10 Questions with ... Jayn
July 24, 2023
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
KRZQ, KEDJ, KNRK, KLLC (and now both KITS and KNRK again too!)
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
In a word…. accidental! The beginning of my radio career was a happy accident after my collegiate internship in DC.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
Long story short: my college journalism professor recommended I do a political internship in DC, which ended up being at a radio news service. That led me to apply to radio jobs once I got back to my home market. One programmer hired me as a board op, and I eventually worked my way up to on-air there. It was only after I resigned for another gig, years later, that he shared with me that only two people had applied for the board op job, both women - but I *wasn’t* the woman he’d intended to call! He said that when I came in to train, I was so excited to be there that he didn’t have the heart to tell me he’d called the wrong person.
So I'm literally here right now because he picked up the wrong resume - and the phone - at the same time. (This is my 100 millionth silent *thank you*)
3. You've been at Alice for over 19 years now. How has the role of Music Director evolved over the years?
Deep breaths at that number! I am so grateful. I think the essence of the evolving role is more than just watching current trends; it's identifying which trends are actually true to your brand over the years. Beyond being swayed scrolling YouTube and TikTok... find which songs don't just blow up but blow up AND personify your audience. We personify the trends while staying true to our roots and our core.
4. You've been part of breaking some amazing artists. If you could pick one or two (or three) and spotlight those a bit for us.
My favorite "first" artist moment ever has to be with Ed Sheeran. We had been playing "The A Team" for a while before Ed came to the market to do a lounge for us (!!!) … at that lounge, I asked Ed how it had felt to hear his song on the radio in America. He said he never had….so I said, "ok, I'll play it for you tomorrow." The recording of him calling in the next day to "request" it is pretty special to listen to, even now. I also love the picture of the tattoo he'd just gotten the day he first heard his song in America. I asked him if I could post the picture of it, and he said, "Wait 'til I tell my Dad first." (!!!!)
5. What do you still love about being on the air every afternoon?
Every single day I feel like I'm hanging out and talking with my best friend. Laughing about dumb stories and memes and whatever happened that day. Sidenote; I only ever talk on the air to "you" - not "you guys." It's always just you and me.
6. Which artist interview(s) have you been most proud of over the years?
Talked with Ed Sheeran about the first time he heard his music on the radio in America… talked with Christina Perri about us playing her on the radio for the first time after "So You Think You Can Dance"… bonding with Miley Cyrus about our mutual love for Joan Jett and The Replacements too ….talking with John Mayer about Alice's unique support of his secret-weapon smashes.
7. Who would be a "dream guest" to come into the studio and plug in across from you?
Bono has that Universal Standing Invitation…and the ultimate fantasies that come to mind are greats like Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, Joan Jett, and Stevie Nicks.. .oh, and can Taylor make the Alice studio part of the Eras Tour, pretty please?
Alice has come up with some bigger than life promotions/shows. Are there a couple that stand out?
Most of my favorites are 'Alice in Winterlands:' Ed Sheeran and Christina Perri together (when they did "Be My Forever" for the first time ever live) … when John Mayer walked in backstage (after having had to postpone his show the year before because of appendicitis) and showed us his scar to prove "it was real"…and then that year that Harry Connick Jr. immediately owned the entire venue starting with just one note and a grin – all of them such phenomenal moments.
8. Alice has come up with some bigger than life promotions/shows. Are there a couple that stand out?
Most of my favorites are ‘Alice in Winterlands:’ Ed Sheeran and Christina Perri together (when they did “Be My Forever” for the first time ever live) … when John Mayer walked in backstage (after having had to postpone his show the year before because of appendicitis) and showed us his scar to prove “it was real”…and then that year that Harry Connick Jr. immediately owned the entire venue starting with just one note and a grin – all of them such phenomenal moments.
9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid growing up? Jock(s)?
Two words: Casey Kasem. Skating in my driveway with my boombox and a notebook next to me (so I could stop and write down the names of new songs I loved)
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
That conversation always begins with Blaze at KRZQ, a mentor and a friend for life. He gave me my official start, and I will owe and love him forever.
The rest of the entire conversation is 100% Michael Martin. He is the singularly best programmer and boss there is, anywhere and ever. I learn from him every day about radio - and management - and how to handle life's madness (and also when to just pour a shot and move on.) As I've said since he got here 14 years ago, one of the best parts of my job is having a front-row seat to watching him do his.
11. If you were handed an unlimited budget, which 3-5 acts would you pull together for a station show?
For the station:
Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Coldplay, U2
(If it were my birthday the night before, we'd pre-party with Nine Inch Nails, The Cure, The Replacements, The 1975, Concrete Blonde and Depeche Mode)
Bonus Questions
One last note… but it isn't a question or an answer. It's a "Thank You."
Since you're generously giving me this platform, TC, I want to thank you - and Joel - and everyone at All Access for everything you've contributed to everyone in this industry. All Access has long been a guide, a friend, and an invaluable resource. All Access has long been a part of my everyday life. I thank you, and I'll miss you.
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