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10 Questions with ... Jim Ryan
July 27, 2009
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NAME:Jim RyanTITLE:Program DirectorSTATIONS:Sirius/Pulse, The BlendCOMPANY:Sirius/XM Satellite RadioBORN:New York CityRAISED:Long Island & Florida
Please outline your radio career so far:
WFIT-Melbourne, Florida...first place I ever cracked the mic
WPVI- Fostoria, Ohio...2 months of overnights in 87' then onto
WWHB- Long Island 87'-89' left to do mornings at..
WNNJ- Newton, NJ (Power 103) 89'-92'
WJRZ- Jersey Shore (APD/MD) 92'-95'
Y100-Philadelphia 95'-97'
Max 95.7-Philadelphia 97'-99'
WMGK-Philadelphia 99'-2000
WALK & WKJY - Long Island 2000-01'
Sirius Satellite - 01' -1) What Got You Interested In Radio?
As a kid, I just loved music. I used to listen to WABC in New York. The personalities, like Dan Ingram, Harry Harrison, and others were larger than life, and they always sounded like they were having fun!
2) What is like working at Sirius and how The Pulse differ from a traditional Hot AC radio station?
Let me start off by saying I love my job! This is why I got into radio in the first place. It's become fun again! Although we do have access to research, we are encouraged to program with our gut and find the next big acts before they become big! At the Pulse, I don't have to worry about pleasing the sales department. We are given the freedom to think differently, experiment, and break the rules.
3) What do you like best about working in this format?
The music has been very strong over the past couple years at Hot/Modern AC. It's tough because you can't play them all, but that's a good problem to have, versus not having good new music.
4) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
The most important issue facing radio these days is being entertaining enough to keep people listening. There are so many different options available to the listener now, and we need to focus more on the actual show. Not just the music, but the personalities, the contests, the imaging, the entire package.
5) What is the biggest change that you'd like to see happen in the business?
Programmers should strive to make radio an entertaining fun medium. We need to pay more attention to the music and artist development rather than the bottom line. I'd also like to see radio stations believing more in their format, rather than giving it several months and then flipping to another format.
A majority of people are still introduced to music through radio. Saying you can't even consider a song before it hits Top 25 is ridiculous! Where did that mentality come from? That's the safe easy thing to do, and that is a disservice to your audience. If you have superior knowledge of your audience, you'll have a good idea if a song will work. You have to take chances in life, some pay off, and some don't. But being ultra safe...doesn't make you win!
6) What are some of the differences between having a national audience, versus a local audience?
You have to think differently when it comes to your on air talent. You have to be very conscious of the time of day, and it affects specialty play and featured programming. We'll run our specials multiple times so we can penetrate all time zones.
7) Should terrestrial radio feel threatened by Satellite radio?
Yes...and no. Yes, because we're out to rule the world! Ha! Ha! Obviously satellite radio has the advantage being nationwide, commercial free, and innovative. But terrestrial radio has the advantage of being local, so they can succeed if they super-serve their audience. The shame is many stations don't follow thru on that. Satellite is pushing the envelope on a new entertainment medium by making radio an entertainment force again.
8) How much leeway do you give your jocks to talk between records?
Our talent has the creative freedom to talk between the records. NO liner jocks here! We actually encourage them to be compelling, entertaining and relatable to the audience. My air talent is the target demo, so they know what relates to the audience.
9) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers?
First and foremost...you must have a superior knowledge of your audience, and that is an ongoing process. If you know your audience, you can learn to program any format. Also, learn as much as you can by seeking out knowledge from those who have been doing it for their entire career. Network, make contacts, listen and learn. I've been fortunate in my career to work and learn from some of the best including Kid Kelly, and Garett Michaels.
10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Music trends will always change...and the sun will always rise tomorrow.
Bonus Questions
1) Who was your most memorable artist you've ever interviewed?
My most memorable interview was with the original three members of Genesis: Tony Banks, Phil Collins, and Mike Rutherford.
I also reminded Alanis Morissette about kicking me out of the bathroom before her show at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia. I wasn't finished yet, and I was just zippin' up. We got a good kick out of that in our recent interview.
2) Which new artists do you expect to still be playing in five years?
Colbie Caillet has good future ahead of her. Some other promising and talented artists include Sara Bareilles, Duffy, Matt Nathanson, and Jon Mclaughlin.
3) What do you do in your spare time?
I have a never ending "Honey Do" list. And when I can get out of that...I enjoy playing golf.
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