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10 Questions with ... Chad Rufer
February 9, 2009
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NAME:Chad RuferTITLE:PDMARKET:Ft. Myers/NaplesCOMPANY:Fort Myers Broadcasting CompanyBORN:January 22nd Des Moines, IARAISED:Des Moines, IA
Please outline your radio career so far:
1992-1996 - KWDM/Des Moines, IA - On-Air - (High School Radio Station)
1994-1997 - KLYF (AC) and N/T WHO-A/Des Moines, IA - Weekends
1997-2000 - WINK (AC) and WPRW/Fort Myers, FL (Top 40 Rhythmic) APD
1997-1999 - Advantage Productions/Fort Myers, FL - Producer
2000-2001 - WSGL (Hot AC) and WGUF/Fort Myers, FL - (N/T) - OM
2001-2003 - WCVQ (Hot AC), WVVR (Country), WZZP (Active Rock) WJMR-A (Urban AC)/Clarksville, TN - OM
2003-2006 - KKMG (Top 40) - PD/Colorado Springs, CO - PD
2006-Present - WINK (Hot AC), WPTK-A (Sports Talk)/Fort Myers, FL - PD1) How did you get your present job?
I was very happy working at Citadel in Colorado Springs, when all of a sudden my Dad had become ill in Southwest Florida. At the same time, the PD for WINK in Fort Myers had been released after being at the station for nearly two decades. I got a call one afternoon from Jeff Johnson (Alan Burns and Associates) who asked if I was interested in talking about the position, and because of my family situation at the time, the answer was obviously yes. I had a previous working relationship with Wayne Simons the VP/GM as well, and things just seemed to work out for the best; and I have been at WINK now for over two years.
2) Who were your early influences?
I grew up in Des Moines, IA and something always made two radio stations in that market intriguing even before I got into the business; KDWZ and KRNQ. I would later find out that people like Dan Kiley and Chuck Knight were roaming those hallways. In fact, I can still remember the "Q102 Phrase That Pays", "Nobody plays more music than Q102 and nobody gives you more laughs then the Q Morning Zoo."
When I first got in to radio I idolized everyone that was part of the K-LYF staff. I used to follow each one of them around like a puppy dog just begging to go fetch coffee or a file. People like Greg Chance, Tim White, Michael Flittie, Kenn McCloud, Pam Dixon, Dave Campbell, and Craig Rogers really took me under their wing and for that I was always be grateful.
3) Who do you consider your radio mentors?
Before you jump to a conclusion and think that this is a "buttered up" answer, I want you to know that each one of these people contributed something important to my career, my mindset about radio, and taught me a very valuable lesson about the business. These people took the time to talk to and counsel a young and hungry radio geek: Michael Flittie, Kenn McCloud, Craig Rogers, Van Harden, Bob Grissinger, Greg Chance, Brian Christensen, Dave Alexander, Rick Cooper, Brian Lee, Sean Caldwell, Scott Farkas, Chris Hudspeth, Mike Donovan, Jeff Johnson, Steve Davis, Bill Young, Guy Zapoleon, Steve Goldstein, Jon Zellner, Bobby Irwin, Fig, Todd Lawley, Rob Scorpio, Brenda Goodrich, and Kevin Godwin.
4) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
I miss the antics of my former night guy "Jojo" who is now at JSE in Atlantic City. By the same token, I don't miss the late night phone calls from the police department that he would cause for me, or the early morning meetings in the GM's office because of him. I'm also a huge Kane fan! He was amazing doing nights at FLZ years ago, and continues to "wow" me voice tracking afternoons for FLZ now.
5) How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?
Absolutely for the worse. As if the Elliott Spitzer incident didn't do enough damage; now the stress the labels are putting on their reps to get a song on the air is tremendous, and the pressure is being rolled down hill to programmers. I can hear it in their voices when we talk, and quite honestly I would be lying to you if I said it doesn't hurt a little bit when I have to say no, or when I have to stop playing a record early because of research. It pains me when I know someone is going to catch hell for it no matter how much information they have to fight the battle with.
6) Any tips on dealing with the local booking agents or venues?
Do not take anyone's "word for it". Make sure everything is in writing and signed by both parties in contract form. I also make sure double checking confirmed dates with the record labels. I learned some valuable lesions in Colorado Springs dealing with Hip Hop promototers.
7) How many CDs and/or download notifications do you get each week?
Way too many!! I am a huge Play MPe fan! I like being able to sign on, download, and listen at my leisure.
8) What's the best hire you've ever made?
It would have to be Marc Apple as my Promotions Director in Colorado Springs. Here is a guy who had the most amazing ideas, ideas that were out of the box, and not radio ideas. The tough part was selling the ideas in a smaller market like Colorado Springs. They certainly were beneficial to the station that's for sure. He was recently part of the Clear Channel cuts, go pick him up before your competition does. Marc@Marcapple.com
9) What approach do you take with a disgruntled employee?
I don't want to force anyone to work somewhere they don't want to be. I don't care how good they are. I learned a valuable lesson from Michael Steele one year at Conclave about his secret to the success at KIIS many years ago. He said, "Win in the halls, win on the air" and I believe in that. I want to create a work environment for my team that helps them love their job as much as I love mine. "Cancer" in the attitudes of disgruntled employees spreads fast to others and can cause quite the miserable work environment for everyone.
10) What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?
The best advice I would have would be from a book I read about the life of Frank Sinatra; and Frank used to say "You only live life once, and the way I live once is enough."
The worst advice would be from someone (who will remain nameless) who said, "Market size is simply a number." This advice holds true to some extent, however, if you are a person who grew up in a decent sized town and all of a sudden move to a small town to program or jock, you should be ready to accept change. You might think your energy, enthusiasm, and great talent might be able to take over. Just remember you are about to work with a group of people who in most cases like their small town (village), small town ways, slow pace, and their mindset that is different then yours; YOU WILL NOT CHANGE IT!
Bonus Questions1) For someone vacationing in your market, what one thing would you say they "must see"?
Gee that's tough. How about the beach? I would really recommend Sanibel Island.
2) Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?
Frank Sinatra. Can you imagine the stories that he could tell? I used to go over to Jason Minkler's house (my WB local in Denver). On the wall he had a personalized letter from Frank that I always used to stare at. I even have a gold record of "My Way" on my office wall; yes I had to buy it from Sky Mall Magazine.
3) Any artist riders or contract nightmares you'd like to share?
Remember Eamon? He did that song "F*ck It". He came to the Springs did three songs and walked off stage. Needless to say, the audience wasn't that happy. The next morning on the way to the airport he heard my morning girl singing a parody song about him that nearly caused his limo to miss the flight and show up at the radio station. I think the song said something about, "...if you could only last three songs I wouldn't want you back either." Sorry about that J.R.
4) Do you have any good stalker stories? Misty requests? "Fatal Attractions?"
How about a piece of advice for young air talent, "Don't date off the request lines! If they sound like a 10, they're a two. If they truly are hot they must be a wack-a-doodle and you don't want them...NOT EVEN FOR THAT."
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