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10 Questions with ... Bobby Duncan
January 29, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. The history of the station is deep and astounding, not the least of which is our iconic midday talent Iris Harrison, who's been with KGON for 42 years (no, that's not a typo) Now THAT'S unique in today's world
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1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it?"
No lofty tales here. A high school buddy of mine once said, "You should be in radio." I told him he was nuts. Then my girlfriend dumped me - that's when I got into radio...
2) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Yes. We all have knowledge we accumulate later in life, giving us perspective on how we may have done certain things differently in both our professional and personal lives, but yes. I definitely would have.
3) Can you give us a brief history of your radio career including stations, the years you worked there and the positions you held?
Out of college, KLOL/Houston (it was a Rock station then) as the utility guy, then mornings. First PD gig was in College Station, TX in 1990. I then opened my consultancy handling that station and a few others, all the while handling APD /PM drive at KZEP/San Antonio 92-97-ish, then back to Houston at KKRW (Arrow) for APD. PD for WGRD/Grand Rapids MI 01-05, back to Houston PD/KIOL 05-06 (that was quick), then onto WXMX Memphis 06-10. 2011 was my first foray into news at Radio One's News 92FM in Houston. VP/Digital Marketing for Noisemaker Communications since 14 and KGON as of November last year.
4) Before we talk about KGON, you recently had a nice run doing Internet radio down in Texas. How do you think that type of experience will help you program a terrestrial radio station again?
My time was actually at Radio Brave, a podcast and vodcast facility in Houston. The upside was an education in social media platform and podcast management, brand extension and ultimately in what really gets traction: video.
5) I know you've been the PD of KGON for only a short time, but what would you say makes this station unique?
The history of the station is deep and astounding, not the least of which is our iconic midday talent Iris Harrison, who's been with KGON for 42 years (no, that's not a typo) Now THAT'S unique in today's world.
6) What can you tell us about Terry Boyd's World in the morning on KGON?
Terry is a fierce competitor, and that's why we hit it off so well. Terry and partner Matt Wilcox are focusing on local content, benchmarks and listener involvement to drive their show.
7) Your midday personality Iris Harrison has worked at KGON for 40-plus years. What can you tell us about this legendary Portland Rock jock?
To add to #5, I've never seen a talent so embraced and beloved. Everyone knows who she is, and she is heavily involved in her community. A true advocate and force of nature in Portland.
8) I understand that this year is the 45th anniversary of KGON rocking Portland. How is the station planning to celebrate this momentous occasion?
When I interviewed for this gig, our Dir./Rock formats, Dave Richards asked how I would leverage the heritage of the station. I told him we'd go a step further and weaponize it. Stay tuned.
9) 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 format as a whole today?
All one need do is look back at radio format evolutionary history. Oldies taught us a very valuable lesson. I suggest we learn from it.
10) Finally, I know you are a pretty tall dude. Is that the genesis for the "Slam" Duncan nickname?
It was at KLOL. 1984-ish. We had a Bobby on-air staff already, so I'd have to come up with another name. Someone on staff had the clever idea of "Slam." Could have been Colonel St James or Dayna Steele, but it stuck. "Some of us are blessed with a gimmick". That's mine.
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