10 Questions with ... Jeff Cage

NAME:Jeff Cage TITLE:Director of Rock Programming STATION:KDJE-FM, KDJE-HD2, KMJX-FM MARKET:Little Rock COMPANY:Clear Channel BORN:Topeka, KS RAISED:Lawrence, KS

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

College -- KJHK Lawrence, KS 1989-1993
KLWN-AM -- Lawrence, KS 1993-1997, jock
KLZR-FM -- Lawrence, KS 1993-1999, APD/afternoons/local show/new music specialty
KDVV-FM --Topeka, KS 1999-2005, PD/afternoons
KDVV-FM -- Topeka, KS 2005, Operations Dir. Cumulus Topeka Cluster
KDJE/KMJX -- Little Rock April 2005-present, PD for both stations. On afternoons on KDJE. Host local/specialty show on Sunday nights too on KDJE.

1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?

My first paid job outside of college radio was jocking on a local AM station in Lawrence, KS. KLWN was a 500-watt AM station specializing in AC, sports, news and community involvement. My first job was running the board for Kansas University basketball and football games.

My early influences would be the local folks who taught me that community is everything, and that would be KLZR's former owner, Hank Booth, and station manager Bob Newton.

2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?

I think my defining moment was my very first air shift in 1989 on the college station, KJHK. It was a small 100-watt station, but people from all over Kansas clamored to hear it. We ran a free-form college Alternative format and I selected a song from The Clash's "London Calling" release as my first song. I immediately received a call from a guy 30 miles away with a rooftop antenna, who told me that he loved the Clash song and he couldn't wait to hear what I was going to play next. I was hooked.

3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?

Yes, I would. I love radio, I love music, I love reaching people every day, sharing great songs and being part of people's everyday life.

4) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?

KMJX is unique because it's a heritage Rock station that has been in the market since 1980. Tom Wood has been on this station since he helped start it 27 years ago! He's a rock and roll legend. KDJE is an Active Rock station that leans Alternative. We are the only New Rock outlet in town, so we can get away with playing the best bands from Rock and Alternative. The station rocks and Little Rock loves it heavy. KDJE is similar to my former station KLZR. as both are not a cookie-cutter format. We play songs that work locally, even though nationally they may not be hits.

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?

The FCC regulations have not impacted the way I program. I've always been a responsible broadcaster. Obviously, we have to make sure we are under the letter of the law, but really nothing has changed. We do have a delay built in for morning shows and for when we take live phone calls, etc.

6) How have music file sharing services, affected the way you program to your audience?

We definitely look at facts and figures from Internet downloads, sales and other reports. It really hasn't changed how I program. A hit song is a hit song. It's always been about finding the right song at the right time.

7) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?

I believe satellite is competing with terrestrial radio. It's all about being local -- local news, local traffic, local jocks, local music and local advertising. It all comes into play, and there will always be an audience for good local programming.

HD radio is great and will continue to grow. Our stations stream online, and our websites are the most important tool we have.

8) 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've been listening to the new AGAINST ME! release over and over. I love the political overtones on this punk record of the year - amazing, melodic and full of angst.

I've also enjoying the new Thurston Moorse solo release, Wilco, Hives, New Pornographers, Pinback, Spoon, Mutemath and Rilo Kiley.

9) How do you position the station musically and why did you choose this direction?

KDJE is positioned as a New Rock station. Because it is the only rock station playing new music, we pull from Rock and Alternative. Because KMJX features the heritage rock acts, we stay away from the typical Van Halen, AC/DC mix and lean toward the bands from the 1990s as our gold -- Nirvana, Mmetallica, etc.

10) How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?

You've got to do many things to stay up on latest music trends. The first thing is to maintain an open mind. I go to a lot of club shows and concerts. I read all the major music mags like Rolling Stone, Blender, Revolver and others. I'm on MYSPACE, Pitchfork and other internet sites, too. Soundscan and radio tracking helps, too. Basically, you need to be where your audience is and you need to be able to listen with fresh ears every time.

What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?

Sonic Youth, Meat Puppets - House of Blues - Dallas on October 7th, 2007. Meat Puppets were sober and rocked, and Sonic Youth was fresh off their European fest dates after spending some summer dates playing the "Daydream Nation" release in its entirety. So, they ended up playing songs from "Daydream" I had never heard live. Great show at a great venue.

Who would be your dream guest on the show?

Would love to have Sonic Youth in-studio for a live performance. In college I had Mike Watt from Minutemen/Firehose (and now Stooges) in to talk about old punk rock records for nearly an hour. Best radio show of my college days ... just me and Mike Watt talking about the old days and how "our band could be your life".

What is your favorite TV show?

I'm a political junkie and I catch up everyday by watching "Hardball" with Chris Matthews. I love Bill Maher" and "Meet The Press, but I also watch "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Lost" and a fistfull of reality shows that I will not mention.

Favorite artist you have met?

Shaun Morgan from Seether is extremely cool. Lajon from Sevendust is a great guy. Mike Watt was the most real and best interview.

You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have five CDs with you. What are they?

London Calling - The Clash
Daydream Nation - Sonic Youth
Velvet Underground - Velvet Underground
It Takes A Nation... - Public Enemy
And just because it's my current favorite: New Wave - Against Me!