10 Questions with ... Ed Walker

NAME:Ed Walker TITLE:PD/Afternoons STATIONS:KCKC STAR 102 MARKET:Kansas City COMPANY:Wilks Broadcasting BORN:San Jose, CA RAISED:San Jose, CA

Please outline your radio career so far:

2008-Present: KCKC/Kansas City, MO
2001-2006: WHWK/Binghamton, NY
1999-2001: WCTO/Allentown, PA
1998-1999: KCIX/Boise, ID
1997-1998: KZMG & KIZN/Boise, ID
1996-1997: KLUA/Kailua-Kona, HI
1995-1996: KISF/Kansas City, MO
1989-1990 &1993-1995: KWNZ/Reno, NV

1). What Got You Interested In Radio?

I guess it'd be listening to KFRC/San Francisco back in the 70's. Stellar, legendary lineup with Dr. Don, The Duke, etc. I used to try to talk along with the jocks and do the breaks. I'd take a 45 and try to talk up the intro just like they did on KFRC. You know what they say, you learn by play.

2). Who were your early influences?

Second gig, KHTZ/Reno (studios were in North Tahoe), I worked with Brian Elder who did mornings and my PD was Dave Roble (aka "The Ninja"). In hindsight, I'd have to say they helped me as far as on-air execution of bits and such. Working with Dave was an introduction to programming. He took the time to teach me basic programming because he saw that I had an interest. It urned out to be a great working relationship: I've worked for him three times.

3). Besides your own, what format would you like to program and why?

Having actually done the Country format in the past, it's one of my favorites. We have two Country stations in the cluster, KBEQ, programmed by Mike Kennedy and KFKF, programmed by Dale Carter. KBEQ leans to a Top 40 way of Country programming which I tend to enjoy. However, the way Dale positions KFKF ("Playing both kinds of Country") has opened me up to more of an appreciation of the Gold product. If it's packaged right, man it sounds good!

4). How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?

The relationship has always been that: a relationship. I still talk to reps on the Country side not because they're looking for an add of course, but because we've built a relationship that goes beyond radio. We talk about our families, our passions, our latest victory or our latest challenge. I've always been amazed at programmers who have a "what can you give me" mentality, and the reps are aware of them. I can't ask for something from a rep if I don't have that relationship.

5). What do you enjoy most about music scheduling?

For me, music scheduling is like writing a short story every day. What message am I trying to convey? Does the flow work? I don't have an MD or programming assistant, so the buck stops with me. I like the accountability and responsibility that comes with that.

6). Favorite artist you have met?

Steve Wariner. Just one heck of a real human being, and one of the most talented guitar players you'll meet. We had him on when I was at WCTO/Allentown for what was supposed to be a 15 minute interview. It ended up being an hour and a half...we integrated him into the show with all lines lit up. Just one hell of a guy!

7). Your thoughts on Syndication and Voice-Tracking?

We run John Tesh at night, and it fills the void nicely. As far as voicetracking, it's only as good as you want it to be. I see jocks sometimes cut a four hour show in 15 minutes, and it sounds like it, too. You would think that it's a given, but it's amazing how many jocks just "show and go"...don't put any thought or prep into a show just because it's voicetracked. Voicetracking has helped to keep budgets in check and maximize the talent on the station. Ultimately, you can do one of two things: you can learn to work within the system that's in place or not. Simple as that.

8. What is the most popular giveaway item at your station?

Anything that's pertinent to our core. Cash always works of course, but so do these smaller "staycations" we've been doing packaging local attractions. A tough economy makes staying close to home more attractive, and I think if you've lived in an area long enough you forget about some of the cool stuff that available for you to do.

9). What's your take on current music? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same? Elaborate.

The good stuff has always been there, sometimes you need to dig a little deeper to find it. Hit music is cyclical, and when we're spoon-fed hits that work, it's easy. For me, it's more fun looking for the "diamond in the rough" that ends up at #1.

10). What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?

Mike Wells, who was a music teacher of mine when I was a kid used to say, "Results, Not Excuses." It's stuck with me through my life and reminds me to not just get it done, but to get it done right.

1). What do you do in your spare time?

I love my motorcycle, and with all the little two-lane roads here in the Midwest, it's always a good day when I can get out and put tire to asphalt and just ride.

2). You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have 5 CDs with an unlimited supply of batteries. What are they?

Double "A's"...and the CD's would be Chuck Mangione's Live at the Hollywood Bowl, BB King's "In London", Tim McGraw's Greatest Hits, "The Essential Dave Brubeck," and "The Rat Pack Live at the Sands."

3). What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who do "personal" business while they're at work. Sure, we all get the family call every now and then, but I'm talking about doing the family budget, paying bills, etc. I'd like to turn the tables and go to their house and do my show while they're trying to have dinner or watch their favorite show. Here, I respect their personal time and do my best to not bother them when they're out of the station, give them time to decompress. My policy is that when they're on vacation, their number disappears from my phone (I've only had to break that rule twice). In return, I ask that when they're here, they're here doing their show and contributing to the success of the station. Anything else is unacceptable. If the job means so little to you that you can't spend at least a third of your day being the best at it, then it's time to do something else.

4). Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?

Hopefully the industry will have righted itself financially. There are lessons to be learned from our current state and hopefully we will have put those lessons to use. As for me, I work with programmers I respect and admire in the building, so I hope we're all here five years from now.