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10 Questions with ... Al Scott
January 30, 2007
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NAME:Al ScottTITLES:PD/AfternoonsSTATION:KNRQMARKET:Eugene, ORCOMPANY:CumulusBORN:Eugene, ORRAISED:Eugene, OR
1) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Without a doubt, YES! Since I was 5 years old, listening to the radio was a big part of my day, and it's what I've always wanted to do! I think I'd try harder NOT to get fired! And I pay closer attention to learning more. But the highlight of the day is still my airshift. It doesn't matter how many problems come up during the day. At the end of it, there's my airshift. Sort a decompression chamber with loud music!
2) What's your take on current music? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same?
Music lately has been great! The amount of product always seems to fluctuate, but lately the amount of really solid product has been amazing! Having too many good songs to choose from is an awesome problem to have. It's always a challenge to get any new track to "catch on," so I really have to watch it! Putting off tracks I like but don't have room for is a little tough for me, but it works out in the end. My old PD Dave Numme used to say, "If it's really a hit and worth playing, it'll be there next week!" So learning patience has helped me in a big way.
3) If you could add any one full-time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?
Right now, I'd love to have a position dedicated to our websites. That's something I'd love to have a guy/girl on full time. It's such an important part of every station that you really need someone updating it daily! Our guy now, Derrick Lau, does the website stuff and works with promotions, and he's on the air with a local music show! He does a GREAT job with all that stuff, but would I like him JUST working on my website? YES!
4) Tell us what music we would find on your car or home CD player (or turntable) right now and what it is you enjoy about that particular selection.
TRIVIUM! The new CD is one of my favorite hard rock records in years! The new CD is called "The Crusade"; check out the track "The Rising." I'm also still addicted to the Silvertide disc "Show & Tell." I think that CD is in my CD changer permanently! On my turntable -- I just got a 45 of "Short People" from Randy Newman for Christmas. How random is that? I need the little yellow deal that goes in the hole, though. Do they still make those?
5) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
I get fired a lot!
6) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air? (Dead air, forgot a mic was still on, etc.)
While doing a weather report, I used the F-bomb. This was in the late '80s, which doesn't make it OK. It was something like, "... and today it's supposed cloud up with a high around 58 degrees -- but I don't see any F*&@!%G clouds!" Everyone in the room dropped their jaws and started sweating. But hey, I was looking out the window and didn't see one goddamn cloud! Luckily, nothing happened. We just moved on!
7) Most of us have known or even worked for a "colorful" owner/GM/air talent. Care to share a story? (The names can be changed to protect the innocent.)
At KZEL in Eugene in the early '80s we had a great GM! Let's call him Rob. He reminded me off the PD in the movie "FM." Super guy and a lot of fun. This was my first fulltime gig, and I was about 18 or 19, and I didn't really know what went on in radio stations. I was a little naive. First staff meeting, I show up ready to be serious, you know, trying to resemble a responsible employee. We're all in the conference room, waiting. He rolls in with pizza, beer and a pocketful of joints! He handed them out, and we all "dug in." Blew me away. This was my job! Of course, the station did have it's own BONG in a little room behind the equipment rack!
8) How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?
I live the life! Seriously, I'm more of soldier than a general in this respect. I get out and go to the shows! Go to the movies, go to the clubs -- go to where the audience goes! On top of that I have a great staff who are also great soldiers. We keep each other current and on top of stuff. It's a great system that works well for us.
9) How do you keep tabs on the competition? When your competition attacks you on the air, how do you react?
I look at the competition constantly. You HAVE to! Knowing what's going on in your market is key. My job's biggest priority is to keep my eyes and ears on what MY station is doing. Keep the station focused! Be informed about the market, but put my efforts into what I have control over, which is my station. When the competition attacks us on air, I do nothing. The worst thing, I think, is to get into a station battle on the air with a competing station.
10) What led to your station's recent ratings increase?
We just got the book for the fall of '06, and it left us at #1 persons 18-34 in the market. We all worked very hard and stayed focused and consistent -- just like always! The music in the last six to eight months has been amazing too! We had some really fun promotions and contests, including giving away 10 grand as the big "book" promotion. And, in this book it all came together for us.
Bonus Questions
1) What is your favorite TV show?
"Heroes"!! I'm hooked! Save the cheerleader, save the world!
2) What do you do in your spare time?
Lately, I've been playing with my 2-year-old son a lot! He's so much fun -- and he'll play next to me on Guitar Hero II!
3) Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?
Slayer and a bowl of Cap'n Crunch. No crunch berries. I'm talking about the original Cap'n Crunch! That and War Ensemble go together nicely!
4) Who is the most amazing talent you've worked with?
Craig The Dogfaced Boy! Even though the guy stabbed me in the back -- with a knife while I was on mic -- he's one of my favorite guys to listen to and work with! He's super good at coming up with new stuff that, most of the time, is a home run! Besides, I was wearing a red shirt, so it didn't show the blood too much!
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