10 Questions with ... Jason Doyle

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Started as an intern in my home market, got the chance to be a sidekick/producer for the morning show, landed in Kansas City by age 21, got fired for the first time by age 22, picked self up and landed at a small talk station in Kansas City. It led to opportunities to write and produce news and talk shows. After that, station was bought out and the format changed; moved back to Oklahoma City. Did various stints in radio, television, print and digital. Started a media content generation business and was then offered my dream job…talk show host at Newsradio 1000 KTOK-AM.

1. First, how did you get your start in radio? Why radio?

It sounds simple now, but it was an internship at KJ-103 while I was in college which opened the door for me to radio. I was at the station all the time and at every station event I could make. I was paying my way through school, holding on to a job and being that annoying intern who wanted to know everything. When a weekend board-op position opened to run American Top 40, I jumped at the chance. I landed my first, minimum wage radio gig!

I was eight years old when I got my first tape recorder. I ran around everywhere recording music, sound, interviews, etc. I would put together my own “radio” shows using that tape recorder. Seems like I was infected with the love of radio early on. I wish I could find those tapes.

2. You made the move a lot of music format jocks would love to make, becoming a talk host; how did that come about? Was it part of the plan all along or not? Was it your idea or did it come up in some other way?

It has been my fantasy to be a radio talk show host. However, I didn’t know the first thing about radio when I first began down the path. To break into the business, I started on the music side. Because KJ-103 and KTOK have been sister stations my entire career, I could see how the different formats worked early on. Being a music jock was fun. I loved the radio we did in those days.

It was my knowledge of how radio worked which led to an opportunity to produce talk shows. A program director who had seen the work I had done at the music stations, especially morning shows, gave me a shot. I threw everything I had to make the shows sound like they had the latest information and entertaining bits. Working with the hosts, we created event radio.

For a while, I didn’t think I would ever be a talk show host. Radio just didn’t pay the bills and I moved to television, print, public relations, digital content and other side jobs. My last gig was working in a local TV newsroom. When I got out, I started a freelance business that began growing. It was at that moment more than a year ago, I got wind of the job at KTOK. I “left” my business so I could pursue my dream and return to radio as a talk show host.

I didn’t jump from music to talk. It was a transition and years behind the scenes working with experienced hosts that helped.

3. You have an eclectic career- you've done everything, in media and out, but you still do a lot of writing and you've done PR and reporting and TV news. In the grand scheme of things, do you think of yourself as primarily any single thing -- talk host, or writer, or whatever -- or are you one of those people who need to have their hands in a wide range of things at any given time?

ALL OF THE ABOVE.

These days because digital is so important, I call myself a content generator. Talk show host is on the business card, but writer is a major component of that. I firmly believe a strong writer can move around in the broadcast and media world.

I’m also a workaholic. I’m always looking for the “next thing.” Because you have to evolve with the media business. If not, you get left behind.

I love radio. However, it doesn’t always pay the bills. My parents instilled a work ethic in me, so I find work. Good writing skills open a lot of doors.

4. What makes you different as a talk host? What perspective or focus will listeners get from you that they won't get, or won't get as well, from elsewhere?

I am focused on what is happening locally or in my state. I’m almost tragically local because I only have two hours, and I don’t want to waste time saying stuff about national politics that has already been said by Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity.

Oklahoma City is a dynamic news market. It is not just about talking politics, either. There’s business, arts and culture, interesting crime and local personality drama. I talk about life as I see it. Right now, Oklahoma City has life. This town is really moving through a renaissance, despite a slow down within the energy sector. There is plenty of material to talk local. One must be engaged and involved in their market to sound like part of the market.

5. About what are you most passionate these days?

My grandsons! Just in the past year, I have been blessed with two grandsons. I’m so proud of my kids and the young adults they have become.

6. Are you using social media in conjunction with your shows? How do you see social media working for you -- is it a way to engage with listeners, show prep, promotional, all of the above, or none of them?

Social media is a natural extension for my show. I love social media. It allows me to interact with listeners and advertisers outside of broadcast hours. It gives me the opportunity to tease the show. Of course, if local celebrities start a Twitter fight, I’m all over it.

Social media and digital are crucial to growing a show in today’s radio world. I don’t have a promotional budget for my show yet. Social media and the iHeart Radio app are tools I use to bring in new listeners. (And even some old listeners from previous markets.)

7. Who are your heroes and influences?

Will Rogers and Mark Twain come to mind as heroes. There is just something I’ve always admired about people who can make you laugh and think.

My first morning show co-hosts, Danny Douglas and Stacy Barton. They took this small town kid and gave him a big opportunity to become a radio personality.

A major influence on the way I approach my talk show is Rush Limbaugh. I had the opportunity hear a few of his inside radio talks at broadcast conventions and forums.

8. Of what are you most proud?

Being a hard worker who produces results.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.

….COFFEE.

10. What was the best advice you ever got? The worst?

Former Fox News Radio VP Mike Elder was at KTOK at the time I got my start in the early 1990s. He knew that I had an interest in being a talk show host. He pulled me to the side and told me that at age 19, I didn’t have the world experience to be successful as a talk show host. He told me to go and enjoy the music radio side of things, be a DJ. Have fun with broadcasting. When you hit 30 or 35, you might be ready to take on talk show host duties. He probably doesn’t remember me, but I will always respect him for giving that advice.

The worst...do more trivia. Listeners love trivia games. (Unnamed consultant who gave us that advice after we had been #1 in the market for a year.)