10 Questions with ... Tim Jeffreys

1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?

As a kid, my dad gave me a Radio Shack 10-1 Electronic Kit that included a radio receiver/transceiver which first perked my interests in radio. Later in high school, I took a two-year program at the Career Development Center in Longmont, CO where I studied Mass Communications. It was then that I fell in love with the idea of being on the radio.

2) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?

If anyone had a second go-around in life, they might do things a bit differently, but that said, I have no regrets. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with many talented and interesting people, do fun and creative things and make an impact on the community that I otherwise would never able to do had I not been in radio. Plus, there are many co-workers who have become my closest and dearest friends.

3) Can you give us a brief history of your radio career including stations, the years you worked there and the positions you held?

I started in radio as a freshman in college at KPUB-A Country AM in Pueblo, CO. My first "real" station was KILO/Colorado Springs, where I did weekends while still in school. During the '80s, I did weekends at KBCO/Boulder, six years nights of doing nights at top-rated KBPI/Denver, then crossed town to KAZY, where I spend a little over a year as MD/nights. I got a shot in 1989 to move the Bay Area as MD and PM drive at KSJO/San Jose where I stayed for 10 years. In 2000, I helped sign on 107.7 The Bone in San Francisco. In 2004, I returned to KSJO, and then crossed the hall to KFOX where I spent the next eight years, being promoted to PD in 2010. I did mornings for one year at KFOG San Francisco in 2012, then back to 107.7 The Bone for two years. I returned in January of 2016 as PD/PM drive KFOX, where I am now. As one of my colleagues told me, "It's now official; you have more lives than my last cat."

4) Before we talk about 98.5 K-Fox, you have worked for two other Rock stations in the Bay Area (the old KSJO/San Jose and KSAN/San Francisco). What were some of the highlights of those experiences for you?

KSJO was a magical moment for all of us who were there. The station was being pummeled by the legendary KOME. Station Manager David Baronfeld had a vision and put together Lamont & Tonelli to do mornings and I was hired for PM drive. Dana Jang was brought in to program and things just clicked. KSJO became the dominant Rock station not only in San Jose, but San Francisco as well. Jacor bought KSJO in October 1997 and it wasn't long before they brought in their "own guys," which opened the door for me at KSAN, which at the time was playing Classic Hits. In 2000, Larry Sharpe flipped KSAN to "Classic Rock That Rocks" and 1077 The BONE was born. At first it was just Steven Seaweed and I, but within seven months we were #1 24-49 men in San Francisco. Having the opportunity twice in my career to be part of taking a station that was struggling, and help transform it to market dominance is something I will always cherish.

5) How long have you been at 98.5 K-Fox and what makes this station so unique?

I returned in January of 2016. I had a couple offers outside radio that I was considering when KOIT/KFOX OM Brian Figula made me an offer I could not refuse. KFOX is special because we are such a huge part of the South Bay radio landscape. We have been playing Classic Rock since 1992, but before that KOME occupied the 98.5 frequency beginning in 1971, so 98.5 has been rocking in one form or other for 46 years. We are also the flagship station for The San Jose Sharks, which is a huge part of the South Bay community.

6) Besides Chris Jackson in mornings, who are the other personalities on 98.5 K-Fox and how is the station doing in the market?

Nancy Newcomer - who worked in Santa Barbara radio for years does noon-3p and is our social media coordinator. Bay Area Radio Hall of Famer Celeste Perry does nights/fill and Teri King from KOIT does a couple weekend shifts.

7) Let's talk about the music on K-Fox. You have 107.7 The Bone (KSAN) also playing Classic Rock in the market. How would you describe the music position on 98.5 K-Fox?

We play a lot more music -- particularly in morning drive -- than our competitors and we live by the credo "shut up and play the hits." I daypart harder titles and we have been consistent with our double-shot weekends.

8) In many markets, the Classic Rock station is no longer just your father's favorite Rock station. With the advent of lots of '90s rock entering the format, what's your take on the Classic Rock format as a whole?

Our music mix is constantly evolving. Like most Classic Rock stations, we are challenged by our audience growing out of the 25-54 demo. To that, we focus more on late '70s and '80s titles, and we recently added '90's titles. We use our classic older titles as the "chocolate chips" in our cookie mix. I also am very focused on era balance, type, tempo, texture and style.

9) How does your station utilize the K-Fox web site and other social media (Facebook, Twitter) as an interactive marketing tool with your listeners?

Nancy Newcomer is our dedicated social media person who works with programming, sales and promotions to make sure we are always posting content. As a team we use an assignment grid and post every 30 minutes 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Every member of my team does a daily blog posted on KFOX.com that is shared through social media. Chris Jackson is our dedicated Instagram guy; keeping tabs on all things South Bay and sharing when he sees something worthy. We are using Twitter now more than ever before.

10) Finally, what do you like to do to relax when you're not fully in radio mode?

I work hard during the week and have to deal with one of the most insane commutes in the country. So when the weekend comes, you will find me on the golf course or riding my bike in the hills. I also have been sampling and selling wine on Saturday afternoons for the past four years. It's just a part time thing when I can fit it into my schedule. It's a fun gig and I have learned a ton about wine, and as everyone is this business knows, you've got to have a backup plan!