10 Questions with ... Brian Thompson

NAME:Brian Thompson TITLE:Assistant Program Director STATION:WKLC Rock 105 FM MARKET:Charleston/Huntington, WV COMPANY:WKLC Inc. BORN:December '73, Charleston, WV RAISED:wrong

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

Being a DJ was very secondary' I was attracted to radio after visiting this very station as a 13-year-old kid. The overnight guy (also the station engineer) did a show called "Steve's All Night Bar & Grill," nothing but requests from midnight 'til 6am. Steve would let us in the studio after-hours to pick a few songs, but it wasn't until I saw him putting together imaging that I became smitten by the business.

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

Yes. Radio is still radio; the dynamics have changed greatly, but the product is the same. I'm a radio geek; there is nowhere else for me.

3) How have the recent FCC regulations impacted the way you program your music and the station's dialogue on the air? What are your feelings about these recent changes?

As far as dialogue, every Rock station that's doing it right has had to bite their tongues a little bit. Our guys are smart enough and funny enough to work around it. On the other hand, I'm still a bit angry about having to pull any songs that rock ... based on their content. .

4) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?

Terrestrial radio is geared more toward the local community and it's free. Until sat radio brings subscription prices down and/or come after local sales dollars, we're winning that battle. As far as the Internet ... get back to me after we let this 3rd generation mobile broadband settle in ... it could cause us some trouble.

5) What can we be doing with our station web sites to better our stations as a whole?

Streaming, streaming and more streaming.

6) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

Consolidation is causing many jocks to be replaced by out-of-market voice tracks, and that kills a station's ability to be local. When a jock can't pronounce the name of the next town over because he's two states away, we tend to lose our heritage credibility.

7) What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?

My favorite would have to be 'EBN in Cincy' they are very solid top to bottom, and they are one of the most aggressively promotional stations ever. You can't go anywhere near that city without seeing them.

8) What's your take on current music? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same?

It's hit or miss with the new stuff; sometimes I'm surprised what does well in the market. Some bands hit a nerve and then fade away; others are a bit more consistent. Personally I think the adds we've made in the past six months have been a bit better.

9) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?

ZZ Top. Those guys surprised me; lots of energy and a studio-perfect live performance. They still believe in show business and it was a hell of a show.

10) Most of us have known or even worked for a "colorful" owner/GM/air talent. Care to share a story?

Sure, just last week, our GM Steve Z (also an on-air guy) cut a spot for a local client where he accidentally called their wings "fameless" ... I'm still laughing.

What's the closest you ever came to getting arrested for an on-air stunt? Or did you actually get arrested?

I'm trying to talk a cop friend into arresting me during an extremely well-attended promotion we do each Thursday. My luck, he'll find a warrant on me, and the gag will backfire.

How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?

You gotta pay attention to requests. However, Jay Nunley always keeps the trade magazines at close reach in the studio.

Who would be your dream guest on the show?

George Lucas

You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have 5 CDs with you. What are they?

Dark Side Of The Moon (Pink Floyd)
Master of Puppets (Metallica)
Check Your Head (Beastie Boys)
Chaos AD (Sepultura)
Eat A Peach (Allman Bros.)

What do you like best about working in this format?

It's more than a job ... It's a lifestyle.