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10 Questions with ... Ken Anthony
November 11, 2008
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NAME:Ken AnthonyTITLE:PresidentCOMPANY:Radio Think TankCITY:Los Angeles, CABORN:Oakland, CARAISED:SF Bay Area
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
KKIQ-Livermore/1979
KLIV-San Jose/1980-1981
KSJO-San Jose /1981-1989
KISS-San Antonio (PD)/1989
KLOL-Houston (PD)/1989-1991
KLOS-Los Angeles (PD)/1991-1992
KPNT-St. Louis (PD)/1993
KLSX-Los Angeles (PD)/1994-1995
Radio Think Tank-Los Angeles/1996-present1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I started out in radio working over nights in 1979 at a small 3,000-watt Hot AC station in Livermore, CA called KKIQ. I was about 21 years old and it was a typical first radio job with the owners getting drunk and making requests from the bar at 3am. I played what they wanted, of course! Within a year I made the move to working mornings at the old Top 40 KLIV in San Jose, which had switched to mainstream Rock. A year after that I moved over to heritage Rocker KSJO/San Jose, where I remained until 1989. eventually becoming the PD there in 1986.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
Growing up I was a big fan of the old KSAN/San Francisco. They called themselves the "Jive 95" and they were just the coolest; it's the most progressive music and culturally hip station I've ever heard. Tom Donahue had started the station as KMPX and they were the first true Progressive Rock station in the country. I was such a fan of the music and station that I dreamed of one day spinning my own tunes on the radio. I eventually got my wish in 1979 at KKIQ/Livermore.
3) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
While terrestrial radio is STILL the big dog in radio listening, it certainly is no longer the only game in town. Like the other major media sources of TV and newspapers, increased competition from new technologies is only going to become more prevalent and terrestrial radio has to adapt. If you add iPod listening to satellite and Internet radio, you really muddy the competitive radio listening waters. Terrestrial radio has to remain creative and compelling to continue to garner its large listening base, but I'm afraid unless we do something more drastic for the younger end of the spectrum, we may have already lost a whole generation of younger listeners who now discover new music in other venues like satellite and the Internet. When that new music eventually ends up on their iPod, terrestrial has lost them for good.
4) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?
I've been a Rock programmer and consultant most of my career but the last two years I've been consulting a Hot AC station KKAL/San Luis Obispo (The Krush @92.5) and have really enjoyed the experience. Having a Top 40 background before I got into Rock, I enjoy just spinning the hits and breaking new music from artists that come from a diverse bunch of formats including Pop, Rock, Alternative, AAA, Urban and Country.
5) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
I'm a big fan of former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, who was known as the Wizard of Westwood. One of my favorite books of his was written back in 1997 and is simple called "Wooden" and referred to by many as Wooden's little Blue Book. It has some of the most sage wisdom about how to live your life personally and professionally. Two of my favorite mantras of his I've used in many career situations are "Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail," which speaks to the benefit of a strong work ethic. The other is about leadership and simply stated says, "Great leaders aren't concerned about being right; they're concerned about doing the right thing."
6) What is the most rewarding promotion or activity your station has ever been involved with to benefit the community or a charity?
In 1987 when I was programming KSJO/San Jose, we did a 24-hour Radiothon for AIDS Research. This was a bold move for a Rock station in San Jose, but we ended up garnering lots of local and national press and raising $25,000 for local AIDS Research companies. The highlight of that day was Neil Young driving down to the station from his digs in nearby Woodside and hanging out on the air with us for about 30 minutes. The entire staff took a photo with him outside in front of one of his old Ford Convertibles before he drove off into the sunset ... now THAT was cool!
7) How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?
The Internet, of course. I hate to admit it being a radio guy all these years, but the facts are the facts. I read somewhere that almost 60% of everyone on the planet surfs the Internet every day. You know where I heard that? On the Internet. of course!
8) What is your favorite TV show?
"Entourage" by a long shot. It's the guys equivalent of what "Sex and the City" has meant to women all these years. Ari and Johnny Drama rock!
9) Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?
John Lennon. My all-time favorite band has to be the Beatles and while McCartney may have been the heart of the band, Lennon was definitely the soul. Many of his song lyrics have become mantras of mine. Stuff like "There are no problems, only solutions" and "Time wounds all heals!" are some of my favorites. When I heard the news of his passing from Howard Cosell on Monday Night Football on December 8th, 1980, I was shocked and shaken for days. I was doing mornings at KLIV/San Jose at the time and will never forget the outpouring of grief and love from listeners on the air for days after that tragic event.
10) Who is the most amazing talent you've worked with?
I've had the pleasure of working with many great talents as a PD and consultant. In no particular order, these are some of the best talents I've worked with thru the years: Perry Stone (KSJO), Paul "Lobster" Wells (KSJO), Lisle & Hahn (KISS), Stevens and Pruett (KLOL), Moby (KLOL), Dayna Steele (KLOL), Grego (KLOL), Mark & Brian (KLOS), Jim Ladd (KLSX), Rob, Arnie & Dawn (KDOT/Reno), The Frank Show (KFMA/Tucson), and Jeff & Jeremy (KZOZ/San Luis Obispo).
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