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10 Questions with ... John 'JD' Sutphin
September 23, 2008
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NAME:John 'JD' SutphinTITLE:MD/ Promotions Dir. /NightsSTATION:WROV & WRXLMARKET:Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA/Richmond, VACOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:Feb 21, 1983RAISED:Southwest VA
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
96.3 WROV - 2002-Present ... 102.1 WRXL 2006 to Present
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I did a little bit of everything the second I stepped in ... from hanging out on-air during the afternoon and night shows to washing vans and board opting! The "Chainsaw Circus" on WROV was HUGE to me ... I taped it! I was a music/radio freak from very early on.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
Well, I'd been playing music for years -- enjoying Rock radio for even longer -- and it felt like the right fit. It was actually at a concert where I met one of our morning guys who led me to my first interview. Fast forward to being front row at a Stones show, courtesy the almighty FM, definitely made me feel like I could do this for a long, long time!
3) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I had a lot of very different jobs before landing at radio (everything from sales to guitar teacher and Spanish translator!) so it's hard to say, but more than likely something with music.
4) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
WROV is unique for a lot of reasons. We are proud of being a true Mainstream Rock station -- never too heavy, never too light, just the right amount of classic and only the best new tunes. You'll have the concrete laying "man's man," but also the polo shirt guy with gel in his hair keeping it on all day. I like to think both enjoy Skynyrd and Nickelback! WRXL is so amazingly tuned into the young audience without making the older demo feel out of touch. It's an Alternative station that isn't afraid to crank up the big rock songs as well. It's a tasty recipe. if I do say so myself.
5) 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?
Really, no change, I'm sometimes shocked with just how vulgar some Rock stations like being on the air. They pigeonhole themselves by thinking all guys want fart jokes or a drug reference between every song.
6) How have music file-sharing services affected the way you program to your audience?
A good song is a good song; downloading shouldn't change that. Let's play hits.
7) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
We're here 24/7. We take your calls everyday. We listen to your requests. We come out where we think you're going to be or where we think you would like to go. We want to serve our local audience and be a part of the community - and not give a representation of a genre of music so generic someone "thinks" it will work anywhere. "Copperhead Road" from Steve Earle is huge for WROV; can someone in Ohio say that for their Rock station? And at the end of the day ... it's free. With the economy and gas prices like they are, who wants to pay another bill to hear music in their car?
8) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?
I'm excited to see where the industry will take me; there are so many facets of what we do that interest me, from promotions to music and programming. I love how "fresh" Classic Rock is again! Think about the 11-year-old whose favorite band is Deep Purple all because of Guitar Hero! It's an exciting time for rock and I think that terrestrial radio is and will always be a cool thing.
9) What can we be doing with our station websites to better our stations as a whole?
I think simplicity is key. Give the listeners the easiest to use and most appealing layout possible. Web guys get so caught up in cool graphics that you don't even know what the hell you're looking at anymore.
10) Describe your weekly music meeting ... a) what is the process when you listen to new music? b) approximately how important by percentage is gut, research, sales, video play, and chart position when determining the status of a record?
I'm a music freak, so 99% of the time when a label calls me I've already heard the song! Gut is the biggest part; the makeup of our audience is really different than so many places that if it doesn't fit in with what we're doing, we're not playing it. Charts mean next to nothing to me. I usually check out what's new online, make a list, and bring it to my PD Jay. Then we'll hash out every angle of the song.
Bonus Questions
What is your favorite TV show?
Man, I'm gonna get grief for it, but I love "Top Chef" on Bravo ... let the jokes begin!
Favorite artist you have met?
Metallica! I've NEVER seen a band so personable and passionate about their fans. It was a site to behold!
How often do you aircheck your own shows? Is it mandatory that you run tape everyday? Also, can you honestly critique yourself?
I aircheck once a week and it still can be quite the "beatdown." I am my own worst critic sometimes, but my fiancé is the best at telling me when I did a break great -- or not so great!
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