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10 Questions with ... Al Scott
June 28, 2005
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NAME:Al ScottTITLE:PD/Afternoon Air TalentSTATION:KNRQ, Eugene ORMARKET:Eugene, ORCOMPANY:CumulusBORN:I was!RAISED:Eugene, OR
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
First gig was at KUGN am & fm doing a sports show on the weekend and minding the automated KUGN fm country station. I wanted to be in radio since I was 5 listening to a lot of radio theater. Later, I loved the freedom that the fm jocks at KZEL projected! Sounded like a good way to make money at something I loved.
2) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
Probably something involving the outdoors. I'm an avid backpacker, skier, and swimmer. Maybe a drive through job at Wendy's. I love the Wendy's burgers!
3) How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?
Well, for one thing, there are a lot less label guys & girls! And, I can't see where that's good for anybody but the labels. I miss the days of a local at every label. But, stations big and small have had to struggle to fill the gaps left by not having label support. Often times stations promotional budgets leave a lot to be desired and the labels used to be a huge resource for flyaways , t-shirts, giveaways items, etc.
4) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?
This year???? I gotta give that to Papa Roach. Those guys still have a ton of energy on stage! The crowd went nuts from the first note and didn't stop until the band went off stage!.
5) 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?
Turntable??? I thought I was the only guy left with one of those; that's in my car, though, so, if you went to my house and popped out the CD tray, there would be the new Fallout Boy, which is strange because I don't normally like the poppy stuff, the latest Foo Fighters, which is by far one of the best rock records in recent history, and a Jimmy Buffet disc, because I'm a major Parrothead!
6) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
I always get fired!
7) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air? (dead air ... forget a mic was still on ... etc.)
"....the weather is calling for clouds and rain...but I don't see any clouds! " The best weather report I ever gave. Went out over the air...hey it was the truth ... there were no fucking clouds in the sky!
8) Most of us have known or even worked for a "colorful" owner/GM/air talent. Care to share a story?
I had a guy that was always trying to get me to cut my hair and shape up! I, of course, was not hearing a word of it. So, we were always at odds. I had just got a new puppy that I would bring to work with me on my 7p-12mid shift! I used to let him run around the station while I was on the air. Well, my puppy decided to take a dump while I was doing a break and couldn't see him. The puppy chooses the GM's door to take a leak on and leave a big pile of puppy leavins'! I eventually got fired for not quitting a TV show I had. But the dog incident was also thrown in for good measure.
9) How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?
I actually spend time listening to music, a lot of music.
10) How do you keep tabs on the competition? When your competition attacks you on the air, how do you react?
I don't react to my competition. My plan is to be aware of what they do, I'm always listening in on the other stations in the market -- not just my main competition. But I don't plan my strategy on what they're doing across the street! I learned a great lesson from Dave Numme while at KUFO: Concentrate on what you have control over, and don't lose your focus on what's most important -- your station's sound. Here in Eugene, one of our competitors spent a large portion of one of its dayparts trying to drag us into a pissing match on air. We never acknowledged them on air, and they threw out our calls and jocks names for about 3 months! Great advertising for my station.
Bonus Questions
Who would be your dream guest on the show?
Jimmy Buffet!
What is your favorite TV show?
The Wire
Favorite artist you have met?
Corey from Slipknot/Stone Sour! Talk about a great guy! He's always great to fans at meet & greets. He gets it and he's genuine. Not to mention one of the most talented songwriters in the biz. Plus, he likes a lot of the same warped comic books as I do.
What was the first song or full-length release you purchased?
My first LP was Pink Floyd "dark side of the moon." My mom made me take it back to the store, which I did (and then bought another copy and hid it from her).
Have you listened to Sirius or XM yet? How does it compare to what we're doing on the commercial side?
I listen to Sirius at my beach house a lot. The jocks are almost always terrible and totally not interested in the songs they're presenting! At least my guys sell the music effectively ... all my guys are really into the music!
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