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10 Questions with ... Bob Cooper
October 7, 2008
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NAME:Bob CooperLAST WITH:KBEZ/Tulsa (currently weekends/fill in)PHONE:(918) 694-1844EMAIL:tulsacoop@yahoo.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
August 16th of this year marked 40 years since I first sat in front of a mic, hoping something sane and civil would come out of a 16-year-old! I grew up in South Jersey, listening to WFIL in Philly and WAMS in Wilmington. The talents on those stations made what they did sound like so much fun, I had to jump in! Following my graduation from Ohio University, Pomeroy, OH, (73-75) and Bluefield, W. VA (75-81) were the stops on the way to Tulsa. I was part of the launch team of K95.5FM and the morning host for the first 18 years of the station and had the privilege of programming the station from 1984-1989. Six months after leaving K95 I helped launch KVOO-A as a Classic Country station, thus realizing another career goal: to work on a huge, honkin' AM station that went everywhere at night! From 2003-2006, I did mornings at KOOL 106.1 in Tulsa, played oldies and got to be a poor man's Dr. Don Rose, my mentor growing up near Philly. After a year out, I joined KBEZ here last July for part-time air work, and have had a great time learning the approach and nuances of Soft AC radio. I have a Billboard Award to my credit, along with several other Billboard and ACM nominations. Since "busy" is my nickname, I'm no stranger to the camera here, either: 12 years of TV weather-casting, four years of producing and hosting a Country music video show and dozens of charity telethons.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
Happily, I have KBEZ to help quite a bit, but not being on every day leaves me a bit empty! I maintain my attitude first and foremost through my faith, and by realizing that dreams may or may not come true, but dreams you don't have never happen. I firmly believe I'll be back somewhere, every day, very soon! I believe in my talent, passion and dedication.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
Doing every favor I can for everyone who needs one done! You can never help or serve others too much. Keeping busy is critical to keeping sanity! Staying as others-oriented as possible will only prepare me better for that soon-to-come day when I'm surrounded by great colleagues and great listeners!
3) Do you plan on sticking with the radio industry?
Yes. I still have the craving to entertain, the curiosity and drive to do exhaustive prep every day to get past "jocking" to "entertainment," and the love of people to want to make thousands of new friends wherever I go. Life is all about other people, and radio's a fabulous way to get to LOADS of 'em!
4) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
Ideally, I'll be doing mornings on an Oldies or Country station in a market where there's a real passion for the format .... a station in the top tier in its market. Hopefully in the Mid-Atlantic area to be close to family. Market size is not that critical. The craft is the same wherever you practice it, and that's my drive now -- to practice and perfect (maybe someday!) the craft I love.
5) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)
To date, I've received exactly two replies after sending many mp3/resume packages! One told me their opening wouldn't be occurring for a few months; the other was a random send-out because I wish to go East if possible. Very nice response saying they had nothing, but would send my stuff on to the Ops Manager. P's and Ops people have to be busier than ever, so I'm not all that bummed by not getting responses -- only by not getting HIRED!
6) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
The 10 ten years at K95.5FM in Tulsa, without question. *t was really OUR accomplishment ... an incredible team changed a failing teeny-bop Rock station to Country and made it one of the country's best and most dominant. I don't like to dwell on individual accomplishments, but the perseverance and dedication required in my role in doing K95 as it was done is probably that of which I'm most proud.
7) What do you miss most about radio? The least?
What I miss most is a slam-dunk: interaction with the audience via phones in the studio and events on the streets. I turn on in front of people. At one time, for several years, I had a goal of making 100 unpaid appearances a year ... remotes, etc. would be in addition. I made that goal every year.
Anyone with a "down your nose" contempt for the audience simply hasn't taken the time to know the people who ultimately, along with clients, sign your check! What I miss least: better not say ... every sales rep in the biz will turn their turrets on me! Can you say "Promotions with NO purpose except a commission check?" But I forgive and move on!
8) If you were offered a similar position to what you were doing for considerably less money, would you seriously consider taking the job just to stay in the biz?
Certainly! Single and mobile ... I don't have the nut to make I did when I was raising kids! It's about the craft for me at this point, and doing it where others are as passionate about it as I am.
9) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?
I know one thing for certain: Gratitude for the opportunity will be my first and hopefully never-ending response! I'm blessed with a high energy level and excellent health, and am fully primed to work as much, long and hard as necessary. Essentially, get back to doing what I've always done the way I've always done it.
10) Where do you see yourself in five years? 10 years?
In 10 years, I'm still getting up at 4a or so to entertain an audience. Sorry, baby boomers -- we're not going to be able to knock off when most of our parents did! That's fine with me, anyway. There are so many of us Boomers that the audience will still be significant enough in numbers to be extremely relevant ... once a few people get it in their heads that life doesn't end at 35!!
Bonus Questions
Any books you can recommend to people who need something inspirational to read?
Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life" is a real life-changer! I read it five years ago and refer to it frequently. It drives home that "others-oriented" thing. In a business that can be, and make you, narcissistic, one needs solid "foundationals" in place to be truly significant. Radio isn't what I am ... it's what I do. Keeping real priorities -- REAL priorities -- helps me enjoy my work that much more, since my entire self-concept and value aren't based on the Spring book!
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