10 Questions with ... Kevin Fennessy

NAME:Kevin Fennessy LAST WITH:WMCA-WWDJ/New York PHONE:(570) 351-2712 EMAIL:way750am@aol.com

Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...

I started in Trenton NJ, worked full-time at WPEN/Philadelphia upon HS graduation; nights at WCAU-F/Philadelphia at age 20; 4 years at WCAO/Baltimore; programmed WHAM/Rochester, WKBO/Harrisburg, WKBW/Buffalo and WFIL/Philadelphia in the '80s; various sales and management positions in the '90s -- many also involving air work; station owner 1998-2005, came to WMCA-WWDJ/New York as Production Director through 2007.

1) How do you keep a positive attitude?

I maintain a self-imposed daily routine of checking all the job sources, and assemble packages for the opportunities that make sense. I deliberately keep the TV off all day, because the ads directed at the unemployed, as well as "Who-Da-Daddy" with Maury Povich are too depressing to watch.

2) Do you plan on sticking with the radio biz?

I'm in broadcasting for the duration. When I'm doing it, I'm loving it.

3) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?

This time around ... three months and counting. Before this, I got fired the first week of December of '80, and didn't go back to work until Inauguration Day in late January.

4) What has been the best resource for finding out about job openings?

All Access, of course. The ads in Brand X are old and stale, and are filled by the time you get around to applying.

5) What's the next job you'd like to obtain?

I'd like to work in creative services, writing and producing spots and promos, or as a resource person in the programming department of a large radio station. Because of the drought of opportunities, I've applied for everything from on-air jock to GM.

6) How are you finding the courtesy level at places you've applied?

Absolutely piss-poor. Why lie? In most cases you apply by sending materials via e-mail, and after that, there is barely an acknowledgement of receipt, let alone a courtesy return e-mail (even an electronically generated one). At one particular station here in New York, I've applied for several positions, but they have an HR person who keeps slipping me into "overqualified" because I was once an owner. The larger companies have rank and file HR people who make value judgments about your background, and your stuff never gets evaluated by the person who needs you.

7) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?

In one interview, the station manager prefaced every question with the words, "as a short person, do you find..." The fellow was a whack job, but I needed the job and accepted it when they offered it ... which turned out to be a big mistake.

8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Being the only PD to increase ratings at WFIL/Philadelphia in its Oldies format.

9) Having been through all that you have, what advice would you give to people just starting out in the business?

I'd probably tell them to get to a place where you're allowed to do a lot of things -- including make mistakes -- master as many skills as possible, and be prepared to take that skill with you through life, as opportunities in radio totally evaporate.

10) Where so you see your self in five years? In 10?

In five years, I'd like to be involved in Creative Services or in programming in a large situation. In 10 years, just having recovered from quadruple bypass, I'd like to be breathing.