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10 Questions with ... Chris Ryan
October 28, 2008
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NAME:Chris RyanTITLE:PD/AfternoonsSTATION:KEGL 97-1 The EagleMARKET:Dallas/Fort WorthCOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:Gilmer, TexasRAISED:Ditto
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
KPXI - Mt. Pleasant, TX Dec '90-Aug '91
KISX - Tyler, TX Aug '91-Aug '93
KDGE - Dallas, Aug '93-May '94
KEGL - Dallas, May '94-May '04
KDGE - Dallas, Aug '04-Jan '08
KEGL - Dallas, Jan '08-Present1) What was your first job in radio?
Running Rick Dees on a AC station in the middle of nowhere (Mt. Pleasant, Texas)
Early influences?
98 Rocks in Shreveport. I loved their jocks. Kevin West, Greg "The Nukeman" Hanson ... very cool station
2) What led you to a career in radio?
Working at Dairy Queen ... a guy (Randy Ricci) came into the DQ and said I should work at the radio station. I didn't have a lot going on, so I drove up there
Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
When I got a full-time midday shift in Tyler, Texas. I dropped out of college ... and that was it
3) What makes your station or market unique?
We import our midday and night shows, but Big Rig and Zakk United do such a great job. I find out what's happening here in Dallas by listening to them!
4) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
Terrestrial radio does a great job against the other outlets. Radio is free and it's everywhere. Sirius XM has somewhere around 19 million subscribers; Clear Channel reaches 20 million listeners in just its top-5 markets.
5) What can we be doing with our station websites to better our stations as a whole?
I think the website is the "visual" side of the station; all the things you discuss and describe on air can be "seen" online. That creates an interesting dynamic; it brings listeners closer to the station.
Currently we're working to get more video content up on the site that shows what goes on up here at the station behind the scenes ... and backstage at our shows ... really cool stuff that you can't get elsewhere
6) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?
Alternative. I've worked in it off and on a couple of times. I like that it moves fast; you're dealing with very active listeners so you have to keep up ... exciting
7) Tell us what music we would find on your car or home CD player (or turntable) right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?
I love Kings of Leon; I'm glad our sister station (KDGE) added them. Their new disc is great. They're so raw; it's awesome. Speaking of raw, I'm also digging the new Metallica ... it rocks.
8) What is the most rewarding promotion or activity your station has ever been involved with to benefit the community or a charity?
Back in the '90s The Eagles did the "Show Us Your Cans" food drive at Hooters. We raised so much food for the food bank; it was amazing. We're bringing it back this year; I'm really looking forward to it
9) What approach do you take after a soft book?
First we don't overreact; we just tighten things up a bit. We re-evaluate what we're doing on-air -- does this work? Can this be adjusted slightly? Are our jocks giving the listeners info/entertainment they can use or relate to?
10) In today's world of multi-tasking and wearing many hats, how do you find time to show prep and what sources do you use?
I have a show sheet sitting on my desk and if I think of something or run across an interesting story. I add it to the sheet. Usually by 2 in the afternoon it's full, but yes, there are days that things get in the way of filling up the sheet with great content.
As far as sources, it starts when I wake up and watch the local news and continues throughout the day on the web and my interactions with others.
Bonus Questions
What is your favorite TV show?
Family Guy ... but, American Dad is creeping up
If you could add any one full-time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?
An APD.
Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?
Hendrix ... such an amazing talent. I think it's funny there's never really been a good attempt to do a movie about him; it might be hard to capture that magic on film
What was the first song or full-length release you purchased?
Quiet Riot "Mental Health"
What do you like best about working in this format?
It's rock! We're dealing with people who are very passionate about the lifestyle/attitude of the whole deal. They're not music snobs and they usually don't get caught up in silly trends; they just want to rock.
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