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10 Questions with ... Cameron Gray
February 10, 2009
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NAME:Cameron GrayTITLE:Executive ProducerNETWORK:NRA NewsMARKET:Nationwide on Sirius Patriot 144 and Worldwide on www.NRANews.comCOMPANY:NRA NewsBORN:Brooklyn, NYRAISED:Long Island
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Lucky enough to have worked with some of the highest profile talk shows in the country. G. Gordon Liddy, Don and Mike, The Junkies. Operations Director of WJFK for a few years. Worked on Redskins Radio for 12 years and ran the broadcasts from the booth during the last 3 years. Executive Producer for the POTUS 08 Channel on XM.
1. What made you decide to go into radio? Why radio?
When I was a kid on Long Island, I would listen to WALK-FM all the time. I had a Radio Shack Realistic cassette recorder and I would record the songs, and then I would duck down the jocks, and do my own announcing and skits. I have hours and hours of that ridiculous tape. I really don't know why I was so into it back then, but I really was and it is all I have ever done for a career.
2. About what are you most passionate?
Poker and Howard Stern. He continues to host the greatest show in the history of radio.3. You've produced several high-profile talk shows locally in D.C. and nationally; from a producer's standpoint, what are the most important elements in making a great talk or sports show?
The host. It is the easiest formula in the world. No calls, no guests, nothing else. A show that is "dependent" on guests or calls, is a weak show. Any caller you put up or guest you book should serve only to make your host shine.
4. After doing terrestrial and satellite radio, you're now working with online audio and video (and satellite). Have you noted a difference in producing and creating shows for the different forms of the medium? Are there things you need to be mindful of on, say, terrestrial that you don't on satellite or the Net?
Not really. Producing a show is producing a show. The only difference here at NRA News is that everything is video as well. Gone are my days of going somewhere with a little recorder and getting sound. A camera crew is constantly in tow. It adds a layer of prep and scheduling time, but the final product is always well worth it.
5. You've taught radio production at your alma mater; if a student comes to you today and asks if he or she should get into the radio business, knowing what you know now from your career and the state of the industry, what would you say?
INTERNSHIPS!!!!!!!!!!! It is by far the best way to get a job in the industry.I would also say that with all the tools available now, learn and teach yourself as much as you can about digital audio and video. It's amazing to be 37 and now have a new job where they are teaching me how to use Final Cut Pro. I know this is probably old hat to a lot of high school and college kids.
And please stop wasting your time on goofy podcasts with your buddies and then sending them in as demos. No one wants to hear them.
6. Working on shows for the NRA must pose some challenges -- do you see the role of the programming you're working on as primarily advocacy, news, entertainment, some or all of the above, or something else?
It is a mix of all that, but at the end of the day, it's simply making sure to produce an entertaining product. I feel fortunate every day to not be a slave to Arbitron numbers, but no one will stand for a bad show.
7. Who are your influences, inspirations, and/or mentors?
Howard Stern has always been my biggest influence.Scott Shannon was a huge influence on me, as well as Bob Klein, who used to host the morning show on WALK. "Klein til Nine and again til Ten." I loved that guy.
I would listen to Bill Cunningham on WLW every night in high school and he was the biggest influence on my love for all things talk radio. We once did the Liddy show in Cincy and getting to meet Willie and even have dinner with him at his restaurant is still a highlight of my career.
Elliot Segal is a great friend and has always been a great sounding board for me.
The other executive producer here at NRA News, John Popp, was the first person to hire me at WJFK. We also worked together on the G. Gordon Liddy Show. I have him to thank for all my successes and to be working with him again is really a fun experience.
8. Of what are you most proud?
That I finally settled down and got married to a nice Jewish girl from Long Island. And I even have a stepdaughter and a dog. Who woulda thunk it?
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.
...Howard Stern.
10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?
Best - It is easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission.Worst - Leave WJFK and go to Red Zebra. Does anyone have a time machine they can loan me?
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