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10 Questions with ... Jeremi ‘Big J’ Schlader
May 12, 2020
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1. What was your first job in radio and early influences?
My first job in radio ultimately was Stunt Guy for our morning show at the time called, The Byl and Doug Show. About three or four months after I started doing that for free and sitting around on the couch in the lobby, I was hired as a board op. As far as my early influences go -- I only really had one and that was Jim Rome. I loved listening to him and I was definitely a clone. Though I never considered radio really something I was going to get into as a career.
2. What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize “this is it”?
I’m going to try and condense this story and not turn it into an entire chapter of a book! I was only a year into really working in radio...working on the morning show, doing a weekend shift, and board op-ing all while doing another full time job and college. Our PD at the time, Jacent Jackson happened to also have a Specialty show on Sunday night called, Hip Hop Nation. Along comes the Up In Smoke tour. The tour was winding down and wanted to throw a tour party here in Boise, so the promoter invited all the staff to this party. Enter Hip Hop Nation, Jacent wanted to try and get some interviews and for some crazy reason he wanted me to interview Eminem.
The week before Eminem pistol whipped some dude, and I was green and nervous about the whole situation. We get to the party and are mingling, and I’m seeing things I never saw before, ha! So, Jacent is talking to Eminem’s manager, I’m just standing there like an idiot and Eminem is playing a video game. I get super impatient with the whole process and I just tap him on his shoulder and say: “Excuse me Mr.Eminem?” He turns around and I put my hand out to shake his. He looks me up and down, then decides to shake my hand.
I say, “So is that Cool?” and he asks, “Is what cool?” “Doing the Interview?” I ask, he responds, “Oh you need to talk to my manager!” He then turns back around, and the manager over hears all of this and comes down on me like an ANVIL! “No one talks to EM on his day off but me!” I turned as pale as a ghost, and Jacent looking at me like what the hell just happened. I laugh so hard about it now, but that interview never was going to happen anyways. The next week I quit my full time job and dropped out of school. I knew what I wanted to do, and I would put all of my energy into working in radio.
3. How long have you been working for KQXR (100.3 The X) and what makes this station so unique and special?
I just hit the 20-year milestone. So that fact alone makes it difficult to answer the second part because I’ve never worked in another radio market. I think one aspect is that through all of those years the station has seen some change. Even though we went from the Alternative Panel to the Active Rock panel we’ve always done a great job of listening to the audience. Even when it was an Alt station we always leaned on the aggressive side. Boise likes to Rock! Sure, the Pop stuff is going to make a big splash, but Hard Rock and Metal is the meat and potatoes of this town.
4. You and PD Jeremy Nicolato (Nic) do the morning show together as The Morning After with Nic and Big J. Give us some of the benchmarks of the show and what makes it tick?
Well, Pop Culture Smack has been with us since the beginning. Basically listeners have to match popular culture wits with us. We switch up who asks the questions every few months or so to keep it fresh. We are celebrating 10 Years as a Morning Show this year, which is an achievement in itself these days. It can get weird sometimes, but we enjoy the benchmarks that involve audience interaction. I think ultimately though what makes The Morning After tick is the chemistry between me and Nic. We don’t have to do a lot of verbal communication; sometimes we can read one another’s mind.
5. Where and how did the name Big J come about and what does it all mean?
18 years ago I was sitting in a radio studio for the first time with two of the funniest radio personalities named Byl and Doug. Right before we go on they asked me what they should call me. I was stunned. I stammered for a moment and blurted out Big J. Later when I tried to change it to something normal, our PD said nope! Too late everyone knows you as Big J. I picked it because my name was Jeremi and I was a big guy. Ha, that is it! No metaphors there, sorry everyone!
6. All Access did a story a couple of years ago about your Metallica Diet. How did everything work out for you?
That was such an amazing experience. They were so gracious and generous. Now at this point I would change the branding to #NakedAndAfraid because that is exactly how I have been feeling for the last couple of years. The Metallica Diet experience really helped me rip away food as a coping device. I had been hiding away all kinds of anxieties and depression with my eating habits. Once I took that away, well I felt like I got hit by a truck. I’ve been managing but try to routinely get therapy when I feel overwhelmed. With what we have all been dealing with in COVID 19 I do think it's time for a mental health overhaul though. I think a lot of people out there are finding out they have more anxiety and depression than they thought. Not having outdoor activities, social engagements, along with a whole host of other coping mechanisms available is going to really shake some people. My hope is that the stigma associated with mental health changes.
Big J Meets Metallica! Left to right: Metallica's James Hetfield, Justin Rickelman (2 See Video), Kiley (Big J's wife), Metallica's Rob Trujillo & Lars Ulrich, Kimberley Rickelman (2 See Video), Big J and Metallica's Kirk Hammett.7. Now let’s switch gears to the State of Active Rock radio in 2020. What is the health of this format in your opinion?
My answer to that question might change on any given day. The format is more diverse than I remember it ever being. You have a band like Green Day nab #1 with Oh Yeah then a few weeks later Falling In Reverse get their very first #1 with Popular Monster. Those songs are far apart sonically and with band familiarity. I’m super happy for Epitaph and Falling In Reverse, because I really didn’t think it could happen. I’m hopeful that there is room for some aggressive style music at the top end of the format instead of seeing most of it peak just before breaking top 10.
8. What are some “under the radar” Rock bands that we should be paying attention too?
We have been hooked to the Royal Bliss train for over a decade. Get with it people. I’ve never heard a bad song, and the range. Damn they can do it all. I am digging some of the new crop of bands like Fit For A King and Sleep Signals, but there are a few bands who have been around for a long time that need some love like Flaw. Trivium’s new album is amazing, and that new track from Mushroomhead is fantastic.
9. How are you coping with no “live” concerts because of the Covid-19 Pandemic?
It’s been tough. Aside from the obvious financial part of concerts, I don’t think you can truly recreate that “live” concert feeling. Now I think what a handful of some artist have been able to do is cool. Acoustic sets, Facebook shows, Zoom listener lounges have been key in providing entertainment for not only their fans but content for us in radio.
10. Finally, how have you and the station been dealing with the Coronavirus overall? Have you and the morning show or station done anything special in light of the pandemic?
One thing we did was partner up with a local media outlet called Music Monday’s 208 for a, Stay at Home Spotlight Feature. Every Saturday and Tuesday night they would host an artist to play acoustic. The majority of these artists were local talent that we play on the regular during our Specialty Show called Xclusive. A Dead Desire put down an amazing set one evening as well, you might remember Moroni from #happens. We also had a group wide initiative called Together. Gathering information about local business and charities who are offering services or needed services. Radio has really shined through this Pandemic. I hope it reminds everyone that being local to your community is really important.
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