-
10 Questions with ... Chase Murphy
July 5, 2010
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- KIXY/San Angelo, TX 1995-1997
- KQAR/Little Rock, AR 1997-1998
- WSSX/Charleston, SC 1998-2000
- WXLO/Worcester, MA 2000-2002
- KHOP/Modesto, CA 2002-2006
- WFBC/WSPA Greenville, SC 2006-Present
1) How did you get your on-air name?
I was at a blues bar in Little Rock. We just launched a radio station there (KQAR), and because some of us actually had the same name, myself and one other person had to change theirs. At the time I was single and someone asked me "What do you want to do here?" I said "I'm here to drink beer and 'CHASE' women". The rest, as they say, is history.
2) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I think I'd be doing something in the culinary world. One of my other passions in life is working with food. I do about 99% of the cooking in my house and I've been writing a cook book now for about four years. I would have been done with it by now, but about two years ago we changed the way we cook and eat in the Murphy household, so that has slowed the progress of the book. I'm hoping to have it done by the end of the year.
3) What has been your station's biggest accomplishment?
Outside of some of the awesome events we've done in the community and the successes we've had in sales; I'd have to say that we are very proud of how we consistently win at work.
4) What led to your station's recent ratings increase?
Our consistent emphasis of the station's message, branding, focused music and a fresh approach to the format have certainly attributed to our ratings success.
5) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
WSPA is one of two AC stations in the market. We work to keep WSPA contemporary, but not sounding too "new." There is great effort made to make sure that WSPA defines what "Today's Lite Rock" is in the market. WSPA is not saddled with the old images of yesterdays AC and embraces the next generation of AC listeners. The music, jocks and imaging is bright, upbeat and focused. Too often, the mindset of AC radio is to keep doing what you've always been doing regardless the outcome. It's imperative that the evolution of AC radio is calculated and done at the proper pace. Our thought process is to help evolve the format to keep up with the changing lifestyles of "Today Lite Rock" listener, but to do so with the use of proper filters and research.
All I know is that it seems to be working-we continue to win and win bigger at work!
6) How do you position the station musically?
WSPA is positioned to represent the listening habits and lifestyle of "Today's AC Listener." We are upbeat in presentation and the music is mass appeal, but focused on the adult female listener.
7) What research tools do you use to program your station?
We utilize music research, a consultant, quarterly perceptual and a few other tricks up our sleeve!
8) How would you describe the music and imaging on your station?
I have worked in Top 40 for around 15 years (and still do as PD of WFBC). Coming from another mass appeal Pop format, I've not been saddled with the "always do it this way" ideals. Although I respect the knowledge of the past and those stations and PDs who are very successful, I feel that there is room to move within the AC format. Those who continue to do the same thing, same promotions, write the same sweepers, etc. are not allowing their station to breathe, grow, or catch fire beyond their current success. At some point, you have to welcome new ideas and thought process. Programmers need to set new goals and reach out to new cume from other formats (or stations of the same format).
9) What approach do you take after a soft book?
If you have a soft book, the first thing to do is understand you can't control the listening habits of the potential audience. Sweat the things in life you can control. At the end of the day you can't "make" people listen. Just keep working to put on the best radio product possible.
With that said, it's also important to take a hard, honest look at the station. Be honest about every element and make sure that each sweeper, song, jock is representing the desired message of the brand. Understand that everything you do is a marketing decision and allow yourself learn from the event. Don't program scared and certainly don't jump to conclusions. Attack your station as if you were working across the street and look for ways to bulletproof your brand. Finally, make a big dinner and finish the whole bottle of wine. :)
10) What do you like best about working in more than one format?
It's refreshing to be able to put my hands (and head) around more than just one format each day. It's fun to be able to analyze the trends and habits of more than one demographic of listeners, and the shifting of gears from one group to another. I enjoy being part of the evolution of both formats (Top 40 and AC) and having some influence on the direction each are heading.
Bonus Questions
1) Favorite artist you have met?
I've met Tony Bennett, Harry Connick Jr and Michael Buble, but my favorite "Rock Star" moment was probably meeting Aerosmith in Boston. That was cool!
2) Which new artists do you expect to still be playing in five years?
Taylor Swift, Michael Buble', John Mayer, Colbie Caillat, and Daughtry.
3) Tell us what music we would find on your I-Pod right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?
This morning I drove to work listening to 2 Pac. Most of the time, when I am listening at leisure, I listen to Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr, Buble', Tony Bennett, Jamie Cullum, etc. I'm a big standards geek.
4) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air? (dead air ... forget a mic was still on ... etc.)
It wasn't during my show, but I once got into a wrestling match with the overnight guy and I wouldn't let him up until he gave up. I had him pinned for about five minutes...five minutes of dead air! That was at about 3am and I had just come back from a bar gig (wink wink). That was years ago! Pre-PD days! ;)
5) Do you have any music scheduling tricks you've learned that you wish to share?
No tricks. Just allow yourself to adapt to the changing listening trends of listeners. What worked 10 years ago will most likely not be relevant today. Remember and learn from yesterday, but embrace today.
-
-