10 Questions with ... Ken Carson

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

At the age of 15, my parents retired to Port St. Lucie, FL and the local radio station out of Ft. Pierce (WOVV) was broadcasting a part-time opening for a high school junior or senior. I applied and landed the job. As a teenager, on the air at a 100k-watt station I wasn't what you'd call focused until I met, and became a student of, Dave Brewer. Dave straightened me out and helped me focus on my skill-set. That's when I realized, this is it!

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

Yes, absolutely. The ability we have as broadcasters to make a difference in people's lives, serve our community and bring about positive change is a blessing.

3) What are some of your best career highlights programming in Rock radio?

1) The magical seven years at WROQ/Greenville, SC. The most cohesive and creative staff I've ever worked with. 2) The six years I programmed WQXA/Harrisburg, PA. Another case of working with an amazing staff during tough economic times and consistently coming out on top in ratings and billing, which lead to being awarded 2007 Citadel station of the year. 3) Being voted Rolling Stone Station of the Year in 1987 while programming WHJY/Providence, RI. Those were some crazy years as my morning show (Fox & Cheeks) pushed the limits of FCC guidelines and the ear candy was amazing! 4) Last but not least, pulling off Bras Across the Strip in Las Vegas, NV, the year after 9/11. Around 10,000 bras were strung end to end (held up by cancer survivors) along the entire length of the Vegas Strip. This event benefited the Susan G. Koman Foundation and required a logistic (and political) strategy that could never be repeated again in today's world. Over 271 media outlets from around the world covered the event and the awareness for Breast Cancer research and funding was a huge success.

4) Last summer you joined Midwest Family in Springfield as OM and recently you took over QLZ as PD. How has WQLZ performing at this point?

WQLZ has incredible potential and I'm so excited to put my experience to work as we build this brand.

5) What can you tell us about the 3rd String Morning Show?

It's the best kept secret in Rock radio! If you want in on the secret, I encourage everyone to stream the station at WQLZ.com.

6) You're also doing afternoons on QLZ as well as OM/PD. How are you balancing all of these duties?

You left out PM-drive news on News Talk 94.7 and 970 WMAY! The answer is being surrounded by an incredible Mid-West Family staff and my ongoing love affair with this business. "When you love your work, you'll never work a day in your life!"

7) Let's talk about the music on QLZ. Just how Active are you in playing new rock as opposed to your library catalogue?

I've been spending my first month setting up RCS to my own specifications, and with the lack of new music over the holidays, new music has been secondary. We will continue to play the same number of currents; however the station is evolving. We'll be crossing that finish line as the tortoise, not the hare!

8) What's your take on current Active Rock music and the Rock format overall?

The Active format needs to define itself with broader types of music ... not just one sound but just plain old good tunes, even if the styles are a little different. My Mid-West Family/Springfield team and I do not go out on the streets and sell "Active" or try to define our format. It's Rock, anything that rocks, and it stills drives passion. The audience never uses Active, modern or mainstream, so why should we? Find out what your listeners want and give it to them.

9) How active is QLZ with social media like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter?

You forgot texting, which is crucial to our day-to-day communication with our audience. My entire staff "gets it," so I'd say we do a better-than-average job of incorporating all three of the platforms you mentioned into the hourly fabric of the station, but we can always do better.

10) Finally, "The Simpsons" TV show is set in the fictional town of Springfield, and there are several towns named Springfield in America. How often do people mention that show when you say you're working in Springfield, IL?

Always. There was some sort of survey/poll about where the Simpson's Springfield exists and it came down to Oregon and Illinois. Somehow Oregon won and the residents of this community were up in arms! The streets, economy, infrastructure and landscape look nothing like Oregon! WE WERE ROBBED!