10 Questions with ... Nevin Dane

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• KKPR (Power 99)/Kearney (Oldies) - 1993-1994 - Board-Op
• KQKY (Hits 106)/Kearney, NE (Top 40) - 1994-1997 - Afternoon Drive
• KQKQ (Sweet 98)/Omaha, NE (Top 40) - MD/Nights - 1997-1999
• WBZZ (B-94)/Pittsburgh, PA (Top 40) - MD/Nights - 1999-2001
• KQKQ (Sweet 98)/Omaha, NE - MD/Afternoon Drive - 2001-2002
• Waitt Radio Networks - AC/Active Channel - Afternoon Drive - 2003-2004
• KQKQ (Q 98.5)/Omaha, NE (Hot AC) - PD/afternoon Drive - 2004-2007
• KQKQ (Q 98.5)/Omaha, NE (Hot AC) and KOOO (OM/PD) KOPW (OM) - 2008-Present

1) What Got You Interested In Radio?

Music! I was a DJ in the clubs when I first started out. I also played a little bit of guitar and I was always interested in exposing people to music.

2) What was your first radio job?

My first radio job was for Oldies KOPW/Kearney, NE babysitting the board. Then I had the opportunity to go work with KQKY with Mitch Cooley and Mark Reid.

3) Who do you consider your radio mentors?

Mitch Cooley and Mark Reid at KQKY (Hits 106)/Kearney, NE were a big influence on me. They were awesome! I really learned a lot from those guys.

Some of my contemporaries that I really respect are KMXB (MIX 94.1)/Las Vegas APD/MD Production guy Brandon Bell. His production work for MIX 94.1 and his own company www.bellboyaudio.com are fantastic! My Music Director/night jock Heather Lee is also a great talent. She encompasses everything that we all strive to be in radio.

Here at NRG Media I've also been lucky to be brought under the wing of some great management folks who have taught me a lot about running a radio station.

4) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?

Omaha has a great quality of life. This is a great market if you're into music. There is a thriving music scene and we have some great clubs here. Some of the artists that have broken out of Omaha include 311, Bright Eyes, Conner Oberst, Cursive, and The Faint.

5) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

We need to strive to be relevant to our listeners who have so many options to choose from for entertainment these days. Now more than ever, radio needs to cut through in a compelling way.

6) What research tools do you use to program your station?

I use a combination of traditional callout and gut. I also have focus group of women right here in our building who always give me some great feedback.

7) How much leeway do you give your jocks to talk between records?

My jocks get quite a bit of leeway. But there's a balance. I recently busted my afternoon jock for talking too much. They can talk as often as they want, but not as long as they want.

8) How often does your airstaff front and back-sell songs?

Our jocks talk after every other song. We don't normally back-sell a song unless it's a new release.

9) Your thoughts on Syndication and Voice-Tracking?

It's Bullshit. We don't use it at all, and I hope we never have to.

10) What advice would you give people new to the business?

A lot of people come up in this business and expect it to be easy or they expect it to be handed to them. Work your ass off and it will pay off in the end.