10 Questions with ... Peter Thiele

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

My first pretend radio broadcast was at the tender age of 4, "The Peter and Christopher Show" (Christopher was a canary). Discovered talk radio in high school and knew my calling. Started as an intern at AM 1500 KSTP; Produced The Barbara Carlson Show and Saturday Morning Sports Talk. Morning personality and Program Director at WVNN/Huntsville. Program Director at WORD/Greenville-Spartanburg. Program Director at KFAX-KNTS/San Francisco. Program Director at WNYM-WMCA/New York City and KLUP/San Antonio. Program Director at Newsradio 102.9 KARN/Little Rock.

1. You've been at KARN for over a year; what are your impressions of the Little Rock market and the station's heritage within it? What challenges have there been in taking the reins at a station which has long been the primary News-Talker in its market?

KARN is a heritage brand in Little Rock. My main challenge is to focus the station on our primary target and mission. I have a talented team; We have worked together in updating the newswriting, delivery, topic selection, on-air execution, etc.

2. How, if at all, has talk radio changed since you started in it way back at the legendary KSTP? What can and can't you do now that you did back in the day?

The basic mission of entertaining the audience has never changed. The new challenge is to recognize the new competitive landscape: 400+ cable channels, streaming TV, streaming music/talk, social media, and millions of websites. We must be essential to the lives of our audience. People are very selfish. Radio must always be compelling, entertaining, and relevant. My catch line is providing our audience with a “Listener Focused Experience.”

3. Speaking of KSTP, you worked as part of Barbara Carlson's show. Babs passed away this year, and in her memory, what's the most memorable story you can tell about working with her?

So many memories of working with Barbara… Tom Wopat (Luke Duke from "The Dukes of Hazzard") was on the show promoting Rogaine, a baldness fighter. Babs asked Tom if she put Rogaine on her pubic area, would it grow the hair back. Barbara confessed to Wopat that she was going thru the menopause and that her husband referred to her pubic area as "The Bald Box." Wopat’s eyes became plate sized, and his publicist lowered her head into her hands. Then Barbara told Tom Wopat that he was arrogant. Hilarious!

4. Who have been your influences and inspirations in the business?

Larry King, Steve Cannon (WCCO), Rush Limbaugh, Barbara Carlson, Walter M. Sterling, and Bill Dunnavant have primarily inspired and influenced me. This is a small list of all the great broadcasters that I have learned so much from.

5. Like most heritage talkers, KARN is predominantly political talk, and in light of how dominant politics seem to be in the general conversation today, what future do you see for talk that isn't as dominated by politics? Is there going to be an opportunity for that kind of talk again, or has the Trump era changed the playing field forever?

Entertainment is entertainment. How many “conservative” talk show hosts have failed? Probably thousands. They were not unique, entertaining or compelling. I think that focusing on the target listener always succeeds over “Talking Points.” I find it fascinating that actual “radio professionals” think that Limbaugh is successful just because of his political views. Rush Limbaugh is a great radio entertainer.

The Trump Era has quickened the news cycle. Trump is such a dominating figure in his understanding of social media and messaging. Trump has changed the playing field dramatically. Here is the interesting thing about President Trump: He has been working so rapidly. It is tough to keep up with the controversies and the policies.

6. After living and working in markets large, medium, and small all over the country, what about Little Rock do you think would surprise people who've never been there? What's been the best thing about living in the market?

Little Rock is a surprisingly good restaurant town. There are many funky eateries, coffee shops and WAFFLE HOUSE! The average commute is 18 minutes. Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (that is the name) is convenient for flights.

7. Of what are you most proud?

Watching talent grow. I really enjoy coaching and am so proud of people that I have had the privilege to influence.

8. Where do you see the next generation of talk radio hosts coming from? Where would you look to find new talent?

I think that we should be looking for people who have developed a following on YouTube, twitter and Facebook. Entertainment skills are being developed every single day.

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

I am so boring… I can’t make it through the day without pickled herring.

10. What's the most important lesson you've learned in your career?

Listen. It is a skill in which I was terrible. Now, I just suck at listening… OK, here is the REAL lesson: Learning from mistakes. Evaluate why something failed. Also, realize that things are constantly changing. Always question what is working now and what could work tomorrow. Malcolm Gladwell’s David and Goliath taught me that evaluating my radio station’s impact on the market is most essential when everything seems like it is going well.