10 Questions with ... Jamie Grout (Philips)

NAME:Jamie Grout (Philips) LAST WITH:Mix 96.1 KCVM PHONE:319-504-7661 EMAIL:mayberry10@hotmail.com

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

When I was a junior in high school, I started with KNIA in Knoxville, IA. From there I went from town to town and up and down the dial. One of the better-known stations where I have been employed is the legendary WROK in Rockford, IL, where I was PD. I have also worked around the Des Moines area at various stations, including WHO, KJJY, KIOA and Q102. For the past 13 years, I have been doing mornings and programming in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls, IA area -- first at KOKZ. then at KCVM.

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

I listen to streaming audio from stations and air personalities who entertain me. As I write this, I am listening to "Broadway Bill Lee" on the new WCBS-FM. Listening to people like Bill and Scott Shannon on WPLJ motivate me to stay in the radio biz. I also get professional and personal advice from people in the business who I respect, including Kipper McGee at WLS Chicago, Bill Klaproth at "The Loop" in Chicago, and Chuck Knight and Bill Shannon, both with Saga in Columbus, OH. They have been great friends and cheerleaders for me over the years.

2) 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.

Being "On The Beach" hasn't been all bad. I get to listen to the radio as an average listener. I usually start out the day listening to Talk radio with Glen Beck, then I'll flip over to NPR for some of their news shows, including "Talk Of The Nation." Then I will turn the dial to a local station that is satellite-fed and plays lots of '70s music.

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

The answer to that would be YES!!! I think I was born to be in radio. When I was little I was the strange kid on the block. Other boys were outside playing "Cowboys & Indians" and "Army," while I was in my bedroom playing "radio." Radio is my passion, my bliss.

4) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?

Before I got the job at WROK in Rockford, I sent John Ivey, the OM at the time, a baseball bat that said "Jamie Grout & John Ivey, the next grand slam combination at WROK." It must have worked because I got the gig as PD.

5) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)

I am sad to say that the "courtesy level" has been down, but I don't blame that on the PDs where I have applied. I have been a PD and know what it's like. Most PDs are so busy that they hardly have time to grab a sandwich. You have to wear so many hats these days. At one time I was doing mornings, programming, doing music and running a charity. It got real crazy some days.

6) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?

I guess what would set me apart is that I am an extremely community-oriented guy. In conjunction with MIX 96, I started Jamie & Jim's Kids, which was a non-profit with the purpose of taking chronically and terminally ill children to Walt Disney World. In 10 years' time I collected over 200 tons of food for the clients of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank by living on the roof of a local mall and living on a local transit bus. If you are looking for an air personality who is willing to roll up his sleeves and get involved in the community, I'M YOUR MAN.

7) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Receiving the Iowa Governor's Volunteer award, the Waterloo Mayor's Volunteer award twice, and being voted favorite DJ twice by the readers of The Waterloo Courier.

8) What do you miss most about music/radio?

I miss the fun and creative atmosphere of a radio station. From what I hear from people outside of radio, most people have "jobs" that they go to so they can earn a paycheck to get food on the table for their family -- and don't get much satisfaction out of it. If you are working at a good radio station, creative, fun ideas are always welcome. I have always felt that the fun you are having at a station is reflected in the ratings and revenue. A teacher of mine at Brown Institute years ago told me that when I am working somewhere and it becomes a "job," its time to move on.

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

That I am not the only one "on the beach." There are two types of people in radio -- those who have been fired and those who will be fired some day.

10) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?

Keep knocking on doors. E-mail PDs. Go to radio conventions and make sure you bring your business cards. Never, ever give up on your dream. Also, be prepared for long hours and low pay starting out.

Oprah or Dr. Phil?

Are you kidding? The answer is, without a doubt, Oprah. After all, it was Oprah who hired Dr. Phil. When I was on the air I interviewed a guy in Kansas City who is begging Oprah to run for President. I think the guy may have a point. Oprah is a self-made millionaire. We need someone with that kind of business sense and creativity to be President.