10 Questions with ... Jim Allen

NAME:Jim Allen LAST WITH:Program Director of Citadel CHR KZMG/Boise (5/03-2/06) PHONE:(208) 514-9080 EMAIL:JimallenWA@aol.com

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

WKEE /Huntington, WV - nights 1990-1993.
WWWQ /Glasgow, KY - PD 1993.
WAZY/Lafayette, IN - MD 1993-94.
KQCR/Cedar Rapids, IA - APD/MD 1994-1997.
KFFM/Yakima, WA - PD 1997-1998.
KRSK/Portland, OR - APD/MD 1999-2001.
WDJX/Louisville, KY - APD/MD 2001-2003.
KZMG/Boise, ID - PD 2003-2006.

1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?

Begin the day early, do something that creates a feeling of accomplishment every single day, learn something new as often as possible, and seek inspiration from people who have grown wiser and tougher through similar journeys.

2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

For one, taking advantage of the fact that I own a four-wheel drive vehicle. There are some very tall and very removed places in Idaho. Anthony Robbins' books should contain a disclaimer warning of extra motivation when read at high elevation.

3) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

I had the opportunity to take in some very honest observations about how listeners feel about radio in general and they're favorite station(s). It's a funny thing -- tell someone that you USED to work in radio but you don't anymore, and you'll discover a different truth than what you'll receive as someone who is currently employed. I observed that the same ole same ole is good for less and less, but do something that captivates a listener and they'll PAY ATTENTION TO YOU. Although we've become an all-too-familiar utility in their lives, radio is still a very WELCOME presence in their lives as well. All we really have to do is give them something engaging and captivating, and they'll stop what they're doing and look at the radio and LISTEN to it.

4) Do you plan on sticking with the radio industry?

I have more to offer with each new opportunity. Why would I not?

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

This is it. One year.

6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?

I'm looking for a CHR/HOT AC programming opportunity, a situation in which I can formulate a logical, creative and executable vision. I'm eager to motivate and unify a group of talented individuals into a single team who trust and support each other and understand that TEAMS win, egos lose.

7) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?

I stopped listening as a programmer and really listened like a listener for a while, often checking out stations that I had spent little, if any, time with. Among the many conclusions -- I can get my fill of Fleetwood Mac from the Classic Hits station in about three days. I left the radio on Country for a few days, Classic Rock, etc. ... You don't really KNOW a station until you've lived with it for a while.

8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Two consecutive #1 12+ books at KFFM/Yakima in the late '90s. We were a group of unprovens who supported each other and got the most out of limited resources. I'm fortunate to have been a part of that.

9) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?

Several things:

1-Manage your personal distractions. Period.
2-It's possible to be a good parent without giving all of your money to Chuck E. Cheese's.
3-Family matters.
4-I failed to appreciate Golden Girls during its original network run.

10) Is there anything specific that you regret doing while you were still working?

Take better care of myself personally in such a way that my professional attributes could have been better utilized. In every situation there are things that could have and should have been done differently. Honestly own your mistakes, learn how to avoid them in the future, and gain confidence and wisdom from the knowledge.

Any books you can recommend to people who need something inspirational to read?

I'm not sure if it exists, but somewhere between HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE and THE ART OF WAR is a book that's "just right" for radio people.