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10 Questions with ... Rick Everett
March 17, 2009
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NAME:Rick EverettTITLE:PDMARKET:OrlandoCOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:Raleigh, NCRAISED:Jacksonville Beach, FL
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WQBR-A 1987 ... WZAZ A/F 1987-1989 ... WEJZ 1989 ... WAPE 1990-1992 ... WRHT/WHTE 1992 ...WAPE 1992-1994 ... WIVY 1994-1997 ... WOKV-A & WBWL-A 1997 ... WJRR 1997-1998 ... WJRR & WTKS 1998-2000 ... WJRR & WSHE 2000-2001 ... WJRR/WXXL/WMGF/WRUM/ WTKS/WFLF/WQTM, WYGM-A 2001-present
1) What was your first job in radio?
A little AM station in Jax Beach, WQBR! It was a Christian station when I started, but the owner went to the same school I did and opened it up and let me play around. We started doing everything from garage sale shows on Saturdays to a morning news show on weekdays. We even did an Alternative Rock show on Saturday afternoons and at that time, ALT ROCK was nowhere to be found on the radio in Jacksonville. It was a little building on the intracoastal; the bathroom did not work, so you had to run out back and relieve yourself in between songs. I cranked up the transmitter and signed us on in the morning and signed us off in the evenings.
Early influences?
The PICUS (Marc and Art) brothers in Jax, FL! This was my second job in radio and it was an Urban Dance station trying to take on the big dog (WAPE) in town. They owned and ran the station; one of the brothers was also the morning guy. We had no set playlist; you just had to listen to the show prior to yours and make sure you did not play the same stuff and kept some separation in songs/artist. They gave me lots of opportunities to do everything from production and promotions to producing the morning show -- and then all of a sudden hosting the morning show on a short-term basis. I also got to do a reggae show, which had not been done in Jacksonville before. Jeff McCartney taught me a lot at WAPE as well. Some was good and some was bad, but working with him was definitely an experience.
2) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Absolutely! I have no regrets, I'm a radio junkie!
3) How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?
We are both in similar situations. We both have a job to do ... and a lot of bosses telling us how they want us to do it. I have a great relationship with most of the reps I deal with on a weekly basis. They understand my goals and position ... and I do theirs.
4) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?
AAA or modern AC
5) What's your take on current music? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same?
I think it was definitely better six months ago. There was a time last year where we had a lot of good rock product coming out and we just did not have the room for some of it. It was a really tough time if you were trying to break in a new baby, that's for sure. Right now, I find it hard to fill a one-hour new music show with something you really feel strongly about. It swings back and forth for sure; Top 40 is loving it right now.
6) 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?
It's all over the place! Kings of Leon, Jack Johnson, (hed) p.e., Offspring, Spoon, All That Remains and Weezer. The new Reel Big Fish release of all '80s covers is great. You may even find some Kenny Chesney and other country stuff cranking every now and then. I like a little bit of everything and music outside of my format is a release.
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.)
Jacksonville, FL is where I grew up; I was applying everywhere when I first got in the business as we all do. I found this morning show called Bellboy And Korpusel on a little signal in Jax that was an Urban/Dance station called Fever FM Z93. Marc Picus ... he was the owner, GM, morning show host AND co-host. Yeah, and co-host! Same guy doing both characters. It was hilarious! I ended up producing the show and playing the Korpusel part sometimes in photo ops when needed with a hat over my face. The show was very entertaining, funny and the people loved him! Korpussel was a nerdy redneck idiot who rode a moped to work and had a 400-lb. wife. He was on an Urban/Dance station and the listeners loved to hate on him! He was a complete a-hole on the air and to the listeners. They ate it up!
8) What are your three favorite artists or songs of this year?
It's early, but right now I'm really digging the new Papa Roach, Kings of Leon, (hed) pe
9) How do you market your radio station?
Primarily it's about guerilla marketing. We build relationships with clients and do everything we can to be all over the place! We have a great relationship with our outdoor division; we take every opportunity to flyer concerts and events. I try to get our logo out there everywhere we can. Print with local entertainment magazines and partnerships with events and inclusion on their websites and print. We try and succeed in most cases in getting the local concert promoters to include us in their advertising; we have some partners at venues that even distribute flyers for us and hang banners for us at the shows.
10) What has been the station's biggest accomplishment?
Taking on a direct competitor and coming very close to changing formats. We regrouped and put a plan together and ended up putting them out of business seven years later. It was a total team effort that I will not forget the rest of my life.
Bonus Questions
How much of your day is spent working with your station website?
It's one of my radio stations! I really have four: WJRR, WJR.com, 740 The Game and 740 The Game.com. I'm constantly thinking of new ways to drive traffic and new things we can do on the web! I guess you could say I'm a bit obsessed!
How often do you listen to your station when you are away from the station?
Well, my wife says 24/7, but it's really only when I'm awake!
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