-
10 Questions with ... John Boyle
May 19, 2015
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Wow, too many stations to list. I'll hit my 25-year anniversary on 12.26.15. Thanks for the first gig, Tim Cole, wherever you are!
1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
I've always been interested in audio, whether it was music or recording short drops from the radio on cassette to create silly montages. Funny, I've been working on 95 ROCK imaging and had a flashback to those days just the other night. Also, my love for WONE/Akron and the connection I felt with the personalities when I was in high school. At the time, Jim Chenot, JD, Tim Daugherty and Brian & Joe were the coolest entertainers this side of Axl Rose. My defining moment ... probably the first time that I really felt that rush of being live on the mic and knowing that I was killing it.
2) You spent quite a few years programming in markets like San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield and Lansing. What can you take from those experiences and apply to your new gig as PD of WSJZ (95 Rock)?
Every gig has been a learning experience that has led me to 95 ROCK.
3) You are the first PD of 95 Rock, which was previously a Sports station before flipping to Rock last month. How has the transition to the Rock format been going?
So far, so good.
4) You are running the syndicated Bubba The Love Sponge in morning drive. He's really been a fixture in mornings in the state of Florida. To this point, how has the "love" for Bubba been from the audience?
At one point, a few years ago, Bubba dominated mornings in this market. My expectations are that not only will he once again deliver, but also exceed that level of morning ratings dominance.
5) Outside of Bubba in mornings, what's the rest of the 95 Rock lineup look like?
I'm really excited about the major-market talent on 95 ROCK. Marci Wiser sounds fantastic in middays. There's no one better than Pyke @ Night. They do a fantastic job of delivering content and localizing their shows. Now if I could only get that afternoon-drive guy (uh, that would be me) up to their level!
6) Now let's talk about the music on 95 Rock. How is the station positioned musically?
We cast a really wide net by playing well-tested, hit-focused, guitar-based selected songs from the late '60s to currents. Core artists include Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Guns N Roses, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Linkin Park, Foo Fighters and The Black Keys (representing my home town of Akron!)
... and h\ow much current to classic or mainstream library rock is in the mix?
It's the musical foundation of 95 ROCK.
7) What's your take on current music in the Rock format? Is it as good today as one year ago, better, or about the same?
I'm grateful that Alternative radio is breaking mass appeal crossover hits.
8) Before joining 95 Rock, you were Promotion Director and Director and Producer of Artist Performance Videos for Entercom/Sacramento's six-station cluster. What are you taking from that experience and applying to 95 Rock?
Everything! What an incredible, educational experience it was for me in Sacramento. I dropped down from being a PD to Promotions Director to join that crew back in '07 because I wanted to learn how the big boys do it. It was like playing for the 10-time-defending Super Bowl Champs. After eight years of schooling with Professor Jim Fox, I graduated with honors!
9) How does 95 Rock utilize social media as a marketing tool to gain and interact with a new audience?
Social media to me really is the modern-day bumper sticker. We're just getting that going by making brand impressions one person at a time.
10) When you're not in "radio" mode, what do you like to do for fun and excitement?
Spend time with my family.
Bonus Questions
You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have five CDs with you. What are they?
- Led Zeppelin "Physical Graffiti"
- Pink Floyd "The Wall"
- KISS "Alive II"
- Izzy Stradlin "117degrees"
- Jerry Lee Lewis "Last Man Standing"
-
-