10 Questions with ... Randy Hill

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started out working in the small markets in Nebraska and Texas. In the late '80s to early '90s, I programmed a small Country station in Pueblo, CO. while working weekends at KYGO-KIMN in Denver. From there...

• 1991- 1998-Operations Manager/mornings for KSPZ-KVUU/Colorado Springs
• 1998-2001-Program Director, KHYL/Sacramento, CA. (Also added PD duties at KGBY in 2000.)
• 2001-2006-Program Director/middays at WMAK, which we ultimately flipped to JACK FM in Nashville.
• 2008-2009-Program Director/afternoons at WGNE/Jacksonville FL.

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

I have always been a positive person. Even though things get tough at times, I focus on my kids and try to look at life through their eyes. It's impossible not to smile when you get crayon-drawn cards given to you almost every day.

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

I have two small daughters along with teenagers, so I run the gamut from watching every "Dora" episode at least a dozen times to discussing the "totally cool" social ramifications of Lady GaGa.

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.

The "human" factor has been completely sucked out of the industry. No one seems to be having much fun anymore. It seems like it's now okay to be rude just because "I'm so busy wearing all these different hats." Sorry, I don't buy it. Back in 1995 I was programming two stations, consulting two others and doing a full-blown morning show. This was before voicetracking, so I also managed full air staffs on two stations, as well as made the time to respond back to people looking for jobs and talk to record reps. And I had a blast doing it! Your budget always got cut back then, too, so things really haven't changed all that much. I'm sorry, but it only takes a couple of seconds to reply back to an e-mail from someone who just spent hours putting together a package in hopes of getting an interview.

4) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?

Yes, I'd like to if someone will have me.

5) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?

This is it ... Just passed a year. Not much on the horizon at this point either. (sigh)

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

Networking with people you've worked with in the past, as well as tracking "All Access" and company websites.

7) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?

A programming position with a station that expects to win. Throughout my career, budgets and needed tools were always in short supply, but I found a way to be successful anyway. It's all about attitude.

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

It's been very disappointing. Most of the time I hear nothing back. However, a couple of disturbing trends have developed; it's happened to me now a couple of times. After going through a phone interview, I have been asked to spend several days listening to a station online, then give my ideas on how I would take it "to the next level." Each time I sent off my feedback, I never heard anything back. However, both times I did hear my ideas being implemented on the stations shortly afterward.

Another thing that's happened to me (twice in the past couple weeks), I've been contacted by Market Managers (both in top-50 markets). They've e-mailed asking for a convenient time to talk about programming positions they had available. I responded back with my times only to never hear back from them. Man, that's not only rude but downright cruel. I'm not a person who wishes ill-will on anyone, but I would like for those people to live in my shoes for just a day to experience the fear and frustration of being treated like you're less than human.

9) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?

Salaries are definitely lower. Companies know they hold the cards and tend use it to their advantage.

10) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

I've had several. Having my station nominated for "Station of the Year" a couple of years ago was very cool. Then blowing that station up, launching JACK-FM and watching it totally dominate here in Nashville was fun. I think my favorite thing to this day though was my first air shift in a major market. I started doing weekends and some overnights on both KYGO and at that time KIMN in Denver. When I got my first paycheck, I didn't cash it, but had it framed. Recently, though, I've been looking at that check wondering if it's still good. Kids eat a lot, you know.

Any books you can recommend to people who need something inspirational to read?

"The Shack." It's been out for a while, but a great read nonetheless.