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10 Questions with ... John Paul
October 6, 2009
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started in radio in the 8th grade in 1987 at KLOG in Longview-Kelso, WA. I worked there all through high school, rising from part-time/weekend to afternoon drive by my senior year in high school.
- 1987-1995 APD/Promotions Dir./on-air at KLOG-KUKN/Longview-Kelso, WA
- 1993-Weekends/fill at KUPL/Portland
- 1994-Weekend/fill at Q105/Portland
- 1995-1998 PD/on-air at WKKG-WINN/Columbus, IN
- 1998-2005 PD/on-air at WYRK-WBUF/Buffalo
- 2005-2008 PD/on-air at KUPL/Portland
I also teach an Integrated Media class at a local college.
1)What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
My wife and I just had a baby girl in May, so spending time with her has been great. I'm also doing a little side work for Jaye Albright at Albright and O'Malley Country Consulting. That, in addition to my duties being the Chairman of the 2010 Country Radio Seminar, is keeping me busy and still connected.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
We own a place at the beach and have been spending time down there. I've been re-organizing things around the house and doing a lot of yard work. I'm on the phone a lot during the day networking and looking for gigs. I'm just as busy not working as I was when I was working.
3) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
This is honestly the first time I've been unemployed since I was 13. Twenty-two years in radio and this was my first firing. I guess it was time.
4) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?
Network. Get to know as many people as you can, and always be nice and respectful to them. You never know when you'll need them. I didn't realize how many friends/contacts I had until I was out of work. The e-mails and phone calls have been very motivating. It's nice to know that people care. I've even heard back from many CEOs of radio companies that I've reached out to.
5) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
People and word-of-mouth. I'm on the phone daily.
6) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)
The courtesy level has been great. Everybody has called me back and e-mailed me. I have a pretty good reputation for always calling people back and responding to everyone. That has paid off huge for me when I'm waiting for a call back. I've always tried to treat people the way I want to be treated, and it's been paying off for me.
7) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
I'm still listening to the radio, but probably more like a real listener. I listen in the car, when I'm getting ready in the morning, and a little bit online. It's nowhere near the amount when I was working. I think that's healthy. Stepping away and listening like a listener will make me a better PD down the road. I've been spending a lot of time listening to Pandora lately.
8) Are you able to slow down and enjoy free time doing things with your family and friends that you probably did not have time to do while you were working?
Yes. My wife is still on maternity leave, and we've been spending a lot of time with each other and the baby. I was in a wedding in Buffalo (congrats to WBUF PD Joe Russo) and we spent a week there with family and friends.
9) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
Two things: My goal since I was in the 5th grade was to be the PD of KUPL. I did that. I wish it would have lasted longer, but the new owners have their own plans and people. I was proud of what we accomplished at KUPL, and that I made it was my goal. My other biggest accomplishment was the spring of 2005 in Buffalo; WYRK was #1 in nearly every demo/daypart. We went back to the early '80s and couldn't find another station that was #1 in so many demos at the same time. That was a great way to leave WYRK and transfer to KUPL.
10) What do you miss most about music/radio? The least?
I miss the daily interaction with the people I used to work with. I really loved working with them and we all had a great time. I miss having something in my head and then building that into something and hearing it on the air later that day. I don't miss the stress. The last 18 months have been very stressful for PDs with layoffs, budget cuts and downsizing. Not worrying about that cleared my head and allowed me to focus on what makes radio great.
Bonus Questions
What great movies have you recently seen?
My buddy who is an out-of-work teacher and I went to see "Inglorious Bastards." Awesome. We damn near stood up and cheered at the end of the movie. Cheap matinees are great for unemployed people.
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