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10 Questions with ... Jim Sumpter
October 24, 2006
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NAME:Jim SumpterTITLE:President; 12pm to 3pm ET Talk Show HostSTATION:Syndicated on 30+ affiliates accross the countryMARKET:National (Largest: Dallas, Smallest: A little itty bitty place I never heard of before they became an affiliateCOMPANY:Radio Active Broadcast Network, Inc./USA Radio NetworkBORN:Evanston, ILRAISED:Redondo Beach/Wilmington/Hermosa Beach, CA
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
DJ, PD, GM, Group Exec VP, Talk Show Host
1. How did you get your start in radio?
Got out of the Marine Corps in 1969 after two tours in Viet Nam. That was plenty of reality for me. Saw The Real Don Steele at a Jimi Hendrix concert at the Forum with a beautiful woman on each arm, and a limosine for transportation.
While I've had some amazing experiences during my radio career, I've never captured the essence of the excitement and glamour that The Real Don Steele embodied that evening, but from what I've learned about The Real Don Steele, he had a way of creating his own glamour.
2. What are you passionate about?
Par golf and great radio. When you hear a station or a show that is hitting on all the cylinders, it's like no other life experience for me. Love my kids (all grown) with all my heart.
3. After a career starting as a DJ and eventually managing and owning stations, why and how did you decide to become a talk show host?
I got out of radio for about 6 years following a stroke. Had to learn how to do the little things - walking, talking - all over again. Struggled with what to do with my life. It'll sound weird to some, but prayer led me here. It's a calling.
4. How do you think your Marine service affects your outlook on life and issues? How does it play into your hosting- what perspective do you have that a host who never served can't impart?
It's made what's real in life obvious. I hear a lot of hosts beating the war drum and it's frustrating to me.
Watching what's happening in Iraq and Afghanistan isn't a replay of Viet Nam in terms of what the combat is like, but rather what the end result is beginning to look like. I don't see a military victory coming out of this and that's very Viet Nam-esque. I don't understand how a commander-in-chief can call young men to battle without an absolute commitment to a clear-cut military victory. Some mom and dad's son is involved in killing someone else's mom and dad's son. That's just part of war - but, it should end as quickly as possible and always with an American victory. I don't know that you can feel that without living that. Maybe.
5. How is your outlook and position on issues different from those of other conservative hosts?
It's all about the Constitution - not how to skirt it, but how to honor and respect it.
6. Who are your influences and/or mentors?
I've had the incredible opportunity to work with some of the most amazing people. First Media Corporation in the 80s was a phenomenal experience - having the opportunity to work with and be exposed to Glenn Potter (president) and Dan Mason (who was GM when I was PD at KFMK in Houston) was like working with Yoda. Arnold Malkan, whose group of stations I ran, made me more than a radio guy - he molded me into a businessman with an understanding of the real numbers (money) and how to generate it.
7. Of what are you most proud?
My son. My daughters. And the small part I played in the development of Glenn Beck, who was all of 18 at the time, whom I hired to do mornings for me when I was GM in Corpus Christi. It was so obvious he was going to be a star. It's been exciting to watch what's happened to him. I'm not claiming any credit for his success... just glad I saw his potential early. Mike McCoy and I had a heckuva run at KJYO in Oklahoma City - he was PD (still is) and I was consultant. KJ stayed in double digits when most CHRs where struggling to stay above a 5 share.
8. What do you do for fun?
There's something besides radio?
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.
...CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNBC, The Drudge Report, every news site I can find, and All Access (and that's not insincere flattery - I'm serious).
10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?
Best: Never forget that the product of radio is sound.
Worst: OK, Mr. Sumpter, just sign here... here... and here.
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