10 Questions with ... Davin & Ana Fesmire (Married Show)

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Davin has had LOTS of success as a high-profile night show host, going then by "Naughtyboy," with stops at KQKS/Denver, KZZP/Phoenix, KSFM/Sacramento and WWKX/Providence. Not long after meeting his soon-to-be wife, Ana at WWKX, they got married while Davin was doing nights in Denver. They then got their first morning show in Bakersfield, CA at KISV, working for Mark Feather again (Davin's thirrd station with Mark). From there, they did afternoon drive at KRQQ/Tucson and most recently had LOTS of success in morning drive at the signal-challenged KONN/Denver under Tim Maranville. At the same time, Davin & Ana served as the morning AND afternoon-drive shows for Shadoe Steven's "Cabo Wabo Radio" Rock Format that he built for Sammy Hagar. When Denver Radio Company was purchased by Max Media resulting in major budget cuts, the married duo of Davin & Ana exited.

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

I've been in this position before ... most of us have. I keep in mind that this is merely a temporary situation and that even in the "worst times," it doesn't mean that our show/product isn't extremely productive and viable when given the platform. I also spend a lot of time building new relationships while I have the time.

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.

I hear a LOT of "Lazy Radio" out there ... not nearly enough being done to add production value to shows, create original compelling content, etc. I don't know how much of it is laziness or just people being scared to death to do ANYTHING really compelling, but the content doesn't seem to be as "fun" or as engaging as it could be.

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

This is something that we were working on BEFORE we were released in all the budget cuts. While doing mornings in Denver, we also became involved with an awesome project with Shadoe Stevens called "Cabo Wabo Radio" as the morning AND afternoon-drive hosts. During that time, we learned a lot about promoting ourselves across multiple platforms and using our creativity in many different ways. We got the idea to build out our brand by getting our own national TV series. So we created a TV demo and shopped it around some ... and there's now some TV interest in us being generated.

That aside, we are not like other married shows out there. We really put it out there on the air. There's very little that we won't share on the air. Our listeners and advertisers really get hooked on what's going on with the show. There's lots of that on the site I built to showcase us: www.realityradio.me.

I'm also building great connections that will help us generate LOTS of extra revenue wherever we land and getting ahead of the curve in ALL new technologies. Whoever talks to us next is gonna be blown away!

4) What's the next job you'd like to obtain?

Morning or afternoon drive in a market large enough to be able to do things in a big way. Also, in a situation that believes you need to build out your brand across multiple platforms and mediums that are AHEAD of the curve and not just be content to do what everyone else is doing to keep up.

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

Lots of really productive things ... Ana and I have been giving back to the church we attend as volunteers by helping teach weekly CCD classes to 1st and 2nd graders. Its really rewarding. I am a total "gear head," so I've been restoring a 1978 Ford Bronco that my father handed down to me. It was in BAD shape, but I just painted it myself with my own spray gun, etc. It was a great learning experience. I've also been creating new relationships with people in radio and getting GREAT feedback that will REALLY help us hone our presentation. It's nice to be able to get "real" input form people regarding winning with PPM, etc.

6) What's been your best resource for finding out about job openings?

Well you guys do a pretty good job, but we also reach out to new PDs, consultants and GMs daily, getting them to check out our site/materials, etc. They've been REALLY good about giving advice and pointing us in good directions. We find that just being "real" to people in our business and simply asking for help, without being all "hyped" on ourselves, goes a long way. Not every opening is gonna be a good fit for us, but we at least turn over more "stones" this way.

7) 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 biz?

As long as we can provide a safe and comfortable lifestyle for our kids and be able to afford to be in a good school district, the answer is yes. The platform and the ability to rise above the rest is what's gonna be most important.

8) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?

It's not THAT unbelievable, but GMs are always concerned about "What if you and Ana have a fight? And split up or we lose BOTH of you because of a fight etc.?" Our response is, we are WAY more vested in the show succeeding than ANY other show they could ever place in there. If we don't do well, our whole house doesn't do well. If the show goes away, our entire household income goes away, so losing in ratings or not being on board with revenue opportunities is simply NOT an option for us.

We're a "team" on levels that go WAY deeper than any typical team. It's much easier for them to implode than us. Besides, a "fight" between us makes for GREAT radio! Ana unloads on me, women get on her side, a few guys call in to defend me, then the listeners are ALL wrapped up in OUR debate. You think "JON & KATE" is popular because they always "got along?" We're real ... and listeners "get that."

9) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?

We are prepared to market our show on multiple platforms that go WELL BEYOND social networking sites. We have many ideas that will boost PPM numbers while creating new revenues simultaneously. Regarding new technology, all I can say is the "webmaster" is gonna LOVE us! Sales will, too.

10) Where do you see yourself in five years? 10 years?

In five years, we'll have a #1 rated show (again) that is very involved in the community while making the station TONS of money! We'll also have an annual event/concert, etc. that gives back while building more great relationships in the community. There's also a very real possibility that we'll have a TV thing, too.

In 10 years ... if we don't all die from some kind of "super rhino flu," we'll hopefully be in the SAME "good situation" with a few other stations that carry the show. If the TV series takes off, maybe that will still be on the air. I may put a new engine in my father's old Bronco, or we'll just kill each other, but that will be good for ratings too. LOL

My new favorite diversion is...

I recently became an auto broker. I now have a license to go to the "Dealer Only" auctions and help people buy their cars straight from the source. It's really fun. The bidding can get pretty crazy! I try to specialize in higher-end stuff, but deal in just about anything. I get to drive some pretty cool cars sometimes. I helped a guy get a Porsche, and I have a client who I'm now helping find a Ferrari! It's cool to be able to find anything from all over the country and learn what cars REALLY cost direct from the auctions. I'll keep this license even when I get back on the air ... it's fun and it'll come in handy! Besides, it also helps me hone my "client relationship skills" for when we land somewhere.