10 Questions with ... Jon Justice

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• KCXX (X103.9)/Riverside-San Bernardino (as part of Dick and Justice)
• KFMA/Tucson (with John Michael)
• WKLS (96 Rock)/Atlanta
• WMAX (Real Radio)/Atlanta
• WKLQ/Grand Rapids
• WOOD-A/Grand Rapids
• KQTH (104.1 The Truth)/Tucson

1. How did you get into radio? Why radio?

Growing up, I was really into the Southern California Alternative rock scene. I was a huge fan of KROQ and an early fan of the Kevin and Bean Show. At the time I was working in real estate foreclosures and driving in excess of 200 miles a day, so radio was my best friend. In 1996 I heard one of those ads for The Academy of Radio Broadcasting and thought I'd try to change careers. It was my love of music that initially got me interested in radio as a career.

2. You made quite a transition from being a successful rock station personality to talk; how did that come about? How difficult was the transition? Was the political stuff always lurking in what you did before you moved over to WOOD?

I had always followed politics. My radio listening in the 90's was split between KROQ and KFI. It wasn't until I was in Atlanta and had a chance to do some fill in on a short lived FM "hot" talker that I realized I could probably do talk, and my interest and passion for the format really started to grow from there. Later, when I left WKLQ in Grand Rapids, I knew it was time to move on from music radio. I never really felt like I was being true to myself when I was doing rock radio, and I really wanted to be in a situation where I could let my real personality come out. When I started at WOOD it didn't take long to realize that talk radio was what I was best suited for. My rock radio years gave me a great "entertainment" base of which I could build my talk style around. I wouldn't have been able to make the transition without former WOOD PD and current Allen Hunt producer Phil Tower giving me a shot, and my current Program Director and show producer Andrew Lee having enough faith to hire me on the Truth.

3. Since moving to Tucson to take over mornings at The Truth, you've developed into a major local celebrity, spearheading events and rallies and generally getting into the news on a regular basis. What's your philosophy about that: What's the value of getting in front of stories and making noise about them? Does it translate into increased ratings and revenue?

I've always believed you have to make yourself as available as possible to your audience and the community. The way the industry is right now you have to create your own promotion, because nobody's spending much money marketing their stations anymore. In the past few years, we have built the show and station around getting out in front of people. I have always treated the show as a living thing that doesn't end at 10a. Being open to speaking engagements, going to rallies, and having our own events has proven to be a priceless tool in spreading the word about the show. That being said, it's important that none of it be forced. Just like when it comes to choosing show content, I only take part in events that I truly care about. If you start faking it just for publicity, it becomes apparent all too quickly.

4. What's your greatest regret? Your proudest moment?

My biggest regret was not being able to follow up to the now infamous "Fake Dog Drowning" bit when I was in Grand Rapids. Long story short, in an effort to create awareness about water safety, we pretended to trap a dog in a sinking car. People obviously got upset, and management was so freaked over the incident that I was forbidden from addressing the incident and explaining the purposes behind it. Basically, I regret not trusting my instincts and doing it anyway despite my bosses' objections.

My proudest moment was being nominated for a Marconi last year and attending the awards banquet. Even though I didn't win (curses, Van and Bonnie!!) it was an honor to be nominated.

5. Do you think that conservatism is going to surge in the wake of things like the health care bill; if you're betting on it today, will there be a conservative majority on the Hill in the foreseeable future? In November 2010? How about the White House? Are you betting on another change in 2012?

I think the Democrats are toast in November and they know it. That's why this healthcare bill got forced through. The candidates running against those who voted for the bill will not let the public forget what they did. I believe the GOP will get control of at least the House and possibly the Senate this year. Looking ahead to 2012, if unemployment is still around 9-10% Obama will lose. If it drops to a more manageable 7% or less, I think he may have a shot at staying in the White House. Conservatism is already making a surge; however, there is still much disparity in the conservative base regarding what qualities make a candidate a "true conservative."

6. About what are you most passionate?

First and foremost, it's my family. Apart from that it's the show, and sustaining a successful career as a talk show host. I absolutely love getting on the air in the morning. If I can continue to support my family being a talk host I will have succeeded. After that I'd have to say NASCAR -- I'm a massive Dale Jr. fan.

7. Who are your heroes?

My Dad. His support and the example he has set in his life has been a huge inspiration for me.

8. Say you hadn't gone into radio. What do you think you'd have ended up doing for a living? What would Plan B have been?

I really don't know. I would like to think that I would I have done something else creative, but I have no clue what that would have been. If I hadn't stayed in real estate foreclosures I probably would have been one of those people you see working at Blockbuster or a music store thinking they were way too old for that job.

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

...a nap. I never seem to be able to get enough sleep no matter how hard I try.

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

Best: Trust your instinctive reactions. I can thank Bill McMahon for that one.

Worst: "Go ahead, put that video on YouTube."