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10 Questions with ... Tim Noble
September 30, 2008
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NAME:Tim NobleTITLE:PD/MD/AfternoonsSTATION:WHRLMARKET:Albany, NYCOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:Stillwater, NYRAISED:Stillwater, NY
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
First job was running the Joan Rivers show on WQBK-A for Howie Green and Weekends on WQBK with a four-hour LIVE show and running specialty shows after. Early influences" Dan Binder, Jason Keller, "Loud" Debi Dowd.
2) What led you to a career in radio?
At a young age I saw Z-Rock doing an appearance at a McDonald's and they were eating free food and handing out free CDs. I thought to myself, "I can get free food and music?!?!? I gotta do this." So I finished high school tried college, then went to radio school.
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
There's a good chance. I still dig radio for radio, still get free CDs (don't worry, I wrote all the proper letters). Only I would have a smarter back-up plan.
4) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
My back-up plan: I did construction for a while when I started in radio. Because working for minimum wage two days a weekend wouldn't cut it, I would like to go back to doing that or become a welder.
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?
It's fine; I scream a lot and have a good time on the air, with promotions and how the staff conducts itself. I've never been one for saying stuff just to get a rise out of anybody. My upper-demo has kids and they are in the car with them. I hear it all the time: "I don't like the way that this station or that station talks, but you are and good without the language." Programmers need to remember, your upper-demo has kids who listen because their parents are listening. Does it make me sound lame and like a p*$$^? Sure, but I'm okay with that because my main job is to protect the station license. So I'll think twice or three times before something hits the air.
6) How have music file-sharing services affected the way you program to your audience?
I think it's great, so now I can get a cool song put on my website and tell my listeners "You dig that song? Download it for free on channel1031.com." It helps me in a bunch of ways; I get the massive hit on the site and people realize other sites in the market suck and can't do this. So they listen for the next song I'm going to toss on the site.
7) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?
It depends. If the economy stabilizes and station can make the cash they once had and can afford to pay us, I will come back here everyday until my key stops working.
8) If you could add any one full-time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?
An APD/direct promotions person. Somebody I can trust to talk to some reps and get work out the cool stuff that make WHRL stand out more, so I don't have to leave the station at 1:30p in the afternoon to go pick up a band at the venue and bring them to the station.
9) How do you interact with your sales staff?
I want the sales staff to understand the station and my vision. When I say, "I'm going after the 30-year-old male; he has a house, good career and is starting a family." I need them to understand that me doing a remote at a bagel shop isn't really what I'm looking for.
10) Who would be your dream guest on the show?
I would like to interview Scott Weiland and Jonathan Davis at the same time ... OR just sit back and listen to Beck, Perry Farrell and Trent Reznor have a conversation.
Bonus Questions
In your opinion, what is the greatest song ever that never made it as a hit?
"One Day at the Morgue" by Dog Fashion Disco.
What gets you upset at work and how do you channel your anger?
People who don't understand why it's important for me to do things a certain way. I don't channel it; I just keep it pent-up inside.
How do you stay in tune with your audience?
I watch, I go to shows and watch how the crowd react to songs. I look at their clothes and what songs they are downloading. Oh, and I'm stuck in 1993.
What are music meetings like at your station?
Well first I close my door, then I put a CD in....
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