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10 Questions with ... JD Gibbs
June 28, 2005
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NAME:JD GibbsLAST WITH:KOIL (Country 1020)/Omaha(market #74), Morning Show Host/APD.PHONE:402-714-9404EMAIL:up_for_grabs@hotmail.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history:
Started on KCFS/Sioux Falls, SD in 1991; KKAA-KQAA/Aberdeen, SD 93-94; KKAQ-KKD-/KSRQ/Thief
River Falls, MN 94-95; KHUB/Fremont, NE 95-96; KFAB/Omaha, NE 96; KKCD/Omaha,
NE 96; KFGO/Fargo, ND 97-01; WMT/Cedar Rapids, IA 01-02; KOIL/Omaha, NE 02-present(pt/swing)
now), KGBI/Omaha, NE 2/05-present(pt/swing).1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
Getting the part time hours at KOIL and KGBI really does help to maintain a sense of "in the biz." The Breakfast With JD shows on KOIL Country 1020 pay talent fee…that doesn't suck. My part-time/swing hours give me opportunities like filling in for the News Director to do AM news when he's out. Also, I'm a Christian, so that keeps everything in a positive focus.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
All of a sudden I'm addicted to working out. By the time I get to my next gig, I should be the biggest guy on their staff! It's amazing what you will find to do. Did you know Tuesday and Wednesday nights you can watch Law and Order for 4 hours straight?
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 think hearing people who suck on the air and knowing you can do better than them is a little discouraging. Sometimes PD's could avoid that by looking "beyond the tape." If a guy has experience that outweighs your current staff, bring him in and find the real reason he's on the beach. Chances are, he can make your station sound a LOT better
4) What is your best way to get your foot in the door?
Far and away, drop your audio and resume off yourself into the hands of the PD. That way the PD has no inhibitions as to what you look like and has seen you perform in a social setting. 4 out of 5 times in my life, that's worked for me..
5) So far what has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
Obviously, Allaccess.com has a great jobs opening site. Coming in 2nd is word of mouth from friends in the biz who know I'm still sitting out.
6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I've had just about every job offered to me since I've been out. I've been offered on-air PD, morning host, morning host/sales, afternoon drive/MD and off-air sales. I've been pretty selective in the process of getting the next gig. I'd LOVE to be in another morning show, but am also partial to afternoon drive and PD/MD stripes.
7) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?
I wouldn't say I've been surprised at how low some places are willing to pay, but there have been a couple pleasant surprises at how well others were willing to pay. You know, if you pay the price of a Yugo for a morning show, you're going to have a morning show nobody wants. If you're willing to pay the price of a 4X4 truck, you're going to have a morning show that can go places others can't.
8) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?
"Are you stupid or crazy?" After I answered "crazy" to the GM, he then informed me that his former brother in law was a bull rider like me but he was stupid.
9) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs, how do you separate yourself from the pack?
In addition to what I've done and the rating successes I've enjoyed, I also provide non-traditional material such as trade magazine/website articles I've written.
At the interview, ALWAYS wear a suit and tie! Sure that's not what most places will ask their on-air staff to wear, but it's showing that you do have those threads and know how to wear them. You can always show off your slacks and polo shirts after you've been hired, but the first impression can only be made once.
10) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
I've had a lot of fun in this biz. But, pulling a 23.3 with Women 25-54 over the course of about a year and a half when the closest station in town was my direct competition and only at a 13.3 was something I take a lot of pride in.
Bonus Questions
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?
If it was in the Omaha metro, I'd take a good, hard look at it. This is my hometown and doing radio here is something I always dreamed about and still enjoy doing.
If it was out of this market and I had to move for it, not a chance. If it was the same pay and the station was going to pay moving, I'd most likely be all over it.
I've proved myself in and to this biz. Now I'm ready to take all that I can do, learn some more, and do it for my next station. But, taking the insanely low pay and moving hundreds of miles is a thing of the past for me.
What's your handicap now that you've had time to practice?
Golf is for old people - I'm not old. I can still hoop it up and ride my mountain bike for miles. It's not feasible for me to waste valuable moments of my life now when I'm still able, when I can play golf when I'm older and can no longer take on young punks on the court or obstacle courses on my bikes.
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