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10 Questions with ... E. Curtis Johnson
April 30, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. Does general tomfoolery count? We like to have fun in our hallway so there's always a lot of joking around that goes on. I try to help everyone as best I can when it comes to any issues with our automation, podcasting, the website, etc. I believe that the vibe of what's happening inside the station translates over the air, so as long as I can help everyone and put a smile on their face while doing so, I'm good with it!
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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?"
I was born and raised in a remote corner of Northwestern Montana in a small town. In the mid-1970s, at night, I would listen to far away radio stations. CFUN/Vancouver, B.C., Canada was my favorite. The DJs were so fun, and I wanted to be like them. The local, and only, radio station in my hometown hired high school students. When I was 16, the station had an opening. I applied and was hired. I found out later that I got the job because I was the only person who applied! DOH! My senior year I did the morning show on the station from 6a to 9a; my first class started at 9:30a. That's when I realized that I didn't want to do anything other than radio.
2) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
I'd do it again in a heartbeat!
3) Before we talk about KKBZ, you programmed the old KRZR/Fresno for years. Tell us about that experience and The Wild Hare mascot?
I got to launch 103.7 KRZR (thank you, Brian Burns and Jim Votaw for hiring me). I had an incredible 18 years there. With a few other stations around the country, KRZR was one, emphasis on one, of the stations that created Active Rock. KRZR was an incredible mash-up of programming, promotions and on-air personalities. I had the honor, and sometimes shame, of leading the team (asylum inmates). The stunts we pulled off were what used to make radio fun. We'd probably be arrested now if we did some that stuff again. The Wild Hare mascot/character/logo was my creation. I'm proud of it, but some of the staff hated it. It was takeoff on the saying, "Got a wild hair up your butt..." I changed "hair" to "hare" and turned it into a vehicle for lots of visual marketing and audience interaction. The hare became a literal promotional animal that represented an often rude, always irreverent, and very fun Rock station. It was a trip to have thousands of listeners pay money for T-shirts and merchandize to advertise the station on their chests! Every line of Wild Hare T-shirts and swag always sold out. We couldn't keep up with the demand for free Wild Hare swag. A lot of people in the industry know me for KRZR, but I was also the Dir./Programming for Clear Channel's nine-station cluster in Fresno during much of that time. After Clear Channel I was the Dir./Programming, for six years, for what would become One Putt Broadcasting's group of stations in Fresno.
4) Congrats on your new PD gig at KKBZ (105.1 The Blaze). It must be fun to be back programming Rock radio in Fresno. What makes 105.1 The Blaze unique?
The Lotus Broadcast culture is unique. I've never experienced such a friendly and supportive group of people. I'm very happy and excited about Lotus. I'll simply say that my competitors will find out in due time what makes 105.1 The Blaze unique. I'm not telling them here.
5) You also do the afternoon show on 105.1 The Blaze. I was recently traveling to Northern California from L.A. and heard you in the afternoon. I saw your initial Facebook post about being rusty ... but I thought you sounded great. How does it feel being back on the mic again in Fresno?
Thank you for your kind words about sounding "great." As for your opinion, I can neither confirm nor deny any knowledge of Russian involvement or collusion making me sound "great" again. I also have no knowledge of any influence, or payments, that my ultra-wealthy parents may have had on your opinion of how I sound. But I do appreciate the compliment. I am truly excited to be back in the game. By my choice, I've been out for four years, but it's all coming back to me quickly.
6) Let's talk about the music on KKBZ. The station plays a good balance between Classic Active Rock and current rock. Without giving away any strategy, how would you assess the music on The Blaze?
"Classic Active Rock?" Hmmm, that's an interesting oxymoron you used, Ken. Let me answer your question this way. I was offered the PD position for KKBZ 11 years ago, before she debuted, and I turned the job down. KKBZ has a lot of fingerprints on her. I'm leaving some of those fingerprints. I'm grinding some off as quickly as I can. I'm doing some tweaking, but I'm not tipping any specific cards in my hand. I cast no dispersions on my predecessors. So much of being a PD is just opinion anyway.
7) Tell us how The Blaze stacks up against the Fresno market competition for Rock with the Alternative KFRR New Rock 104.1 and Classic Rock KJFX 95.7 The Fox?
To coin a comparison, if these stations were restaurants, the menus on these three stations are different. They share one descriptive word, "rock." KKBZ shares a few artists with The Fox on one side and a few artists with New Rock on the other side. These stations have more things that are dissimilar, than similar. What's considered "rock" on one station wouldn't be "rock" on another. Looking at the "rock" stations in Fresno isn't an apples-to apples-comparison.
8) I know it's been a few years since you programmed Rock radio. What's your take on current Active Rock music and the Rock format overall?
In my opinion, Active Rock (are we still calling the format that?) is in the same position as when I left it in 2007. The current music is thin with little longevity ... and that's how the fight started! No offense to my friends promoting new bands, but I don't believe the format can play has many new bands, and new sounds, as are being promoted currently. I can't add the volume of new music that labels expect. Some of my promotion friends are doing faceplants right now, while reading this, but that's how I see it. My priority is generating ratings and revue. My last priority is breaking new bands. Fresno is a meat-and-potatoes town. I have a lot of years of experience with what rock means in Fresno. I firmly believe KKBZ, and "Active Rock," have a lot of years together ahead them in Fresno. I wouldn't pretend to speak for other markets.
9) On the promotion front, got any special KKBZ Spring/Summer promotions you can discuss?
I don't mind you asking that. However, instead of reading what I'm planning to do in a trade publication, if my competitors want that information, they'll have to spring for Julian Assange's bail money. He can then hack my database for the answer. Radio is a competitive poker game and I do not tip my hand.
10) Finally, what do you like to do to relax when you're not fully in radio mode?
Five things help me relax.
- My wife, "INSERT NAME HERE" Johnson is an incredible person. I love her more than I can express in words. I can't wait to go home to her every night. Before we were married, she made me promise that I would never use her name in public or on the radio. Knowing my mischievous side, she was wise to make me promise that. I'm even smarter in keeping my promise to her.
- In the last three years I've become a grandpa three times. Being a grandparent is even better than I imagined it would be. My youngest grandson lives close, which is very nice. The other two grandchildren live a little farther away, but we get to see them often.
- I love going to the shooting range with my wife. It's HOT LOVE and HOT LEAD! Any connection to the fact that my wife is far better shot than I, and why I never reveal my wife's name, is purely conjecture.
- One recliner + TV remote with Netflix access + and my three dogs piled on my lap = relaxation.
- Doing woodworking in my garage is great decompression. I love working with tools, but it's truly an addiction. I once went to Lowe's to buy a pack of screws, and I came home with a brand-new table saw and a compound miter saw. My wife was NOT impressed when I said, "...but, babe, if I bought the table saw, I got the miter saw for $10." She was not impressed. Anyway, I never get to work with wood enough and find it very relaxing.
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