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10 Questions with ... Rick Hampton
June 7, 2005
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NAME:Rick HamptonLAST WITH:KTIPPHONE:559-909-1232EMAIL:rickcaller@yahoo.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history:
KHOT/Madera CA-Country (middays, 1st gig); KNGS/Hanford CA-Country (Utility); KMAK/Fresno, #1 station (part-timer to PD's protégé); KBOS, KSEQ, KFRE, KNAX (Air Talent); KTAA, KRGO, KKTR (PD), KJUG (Promotions); and KTIP (PD), all in Central CA. In fact, I have the dubious honor of being the longest running active radio guy in the area. My wife's a teacher and I couldn't move so I had to stay busy!
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
I've been going to college and working my avocation as a Square Dance caller (Yep you read it correctly).
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.
Radio used to be a fun place to work. We used to actually care about events in our city of license and about our listeners. It used to be a venue where listeners could find out things like: Do I need an umbrella? Is there a crash or construction project between me and work? Etc.
3) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
I'm actively producing music for the Square Dance World and, under the right circumstances, would return to the "Biz." My wife has a "real" job as an 18 year tenured teacher, so I'm not moving anytime soon. I would love to help a "Mom and Pop" station in an advisory position
4) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
By my choice (this one), 2 ½ years. Not by my choice, 6 months..
5) What is your best way to get your foot in the door?
It used to be: Go down to your local station and volunteer to make coffee and sweep the floors. Now, it's: Figure out where the hell the local station's studios are (Look under corporate mega broadcasting in the phone book), and go down to your local station and volunteer to make coffee and sweep the floors.
6) So far what has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
#1 is call my buddies. #2 is allaccess.com of course.
7) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?
Refused to give an aircheck, told them no, and still they talked me into it.
8) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I would like to consult (God I hate that word) smaller, non-corporate stations in the art of realistic budgeting, format choice etc. My specialties are Country and News/Talk.
9) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?
Radio is 1 step lower than ax murderers on Expirian's credit ratings-Next Question?
10) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?
Why did you apply for this job, You're WAY overqualified for our traffic position.
(Ad said PD needed)
Bonus Questions
In your opinion, what has been your biggest career accomplishment in the industry?
Teaching young folks "the art," something I learned from Charlie Scott, and something that's sadly lacking these days (as I hear from my many former youngsters).
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 music/radio?
Nope... what we do has a certain value and we should not cheapen it. However, that certain value is right up there with fry cooks.
Care to contribute a low-cost recipe to our "ON THE BEACH" cookbook?
39 cent dinner... Unwrap Burrito, microwave 30 seconds, eat.
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