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10 Questions with ... 'Neander' Paul Marshall
May 26, 2009
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NAME:'Neander' Paul MarshallTITLE:MD/afternoons/super-geniusSTATION:KQRCMARKET:Kansas City (...is in Missouri)COMPANY:EntercomBORN:SouthieRAISED:on Pepsi Cola & fried clams
1) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Hell, yes! I'll say it: I f*cking LOVE what I do. The worst day I've ever had in a studio is better than the best day my father ever had turning wrenches. And my father was a kick-ass mechanic.
2) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
This is the backup plan, actually. I wanted to be the lead singer for Van Halen. My buddy Gary got that gig ... we all know how that worked out. I may have considered a career as a boxer. Seriously. I have big dreams!
3) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
Let me just say this: KQRC is a beast. We all know that there are incredible challenges in our industry right now. To be not only maintaining, but exceeding prior years' performance is just stupid-amazing. Kansas City has embraced this station at levels you just don't see in our business. It's something you have to experience. I wish this on everyone who does this. It really reinforces how radio can be. I'd love to take credit, but it's a major collaborative effort. It starts with Corporate trusting Bob. And then, as they say, it rolls downhill. Even at the bottom, the view's pretty good.
4) 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?
If I read the Constitution correctly, and I might be wrong here, but the existence of an agency that reports to Congress, who "shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press" that makes laws prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech of the press, is a bit strange. This issue is way too deep to be discussed by rational people.
5) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
I've been criticized for my stance on this from both sides. I love music. Satellite radio promised music lovers something different. I still hear too little depth and too much repetition, and tuned out. And I love the niche channels. But, they don't engage me as a music fan at a level that satisfies me. And that sucks. Terrestrial radio will always sound better. Just by virtue of the distance the signal has to travel and compression rates. And when done correctly, terrestrial negates satellite's impact on the local landscape completely. We're still winning. I think the fun days are ahead when we shut down the towers and everyone broadcasts their programming on the Net. It's coming. Terms like "terrestrial" and "satellite" are going to be obsolete. Radio will be "Digital Audio Entertainment," and whomever does it best will win. We need to be better at engaging the audience. All of us.
6) What can we be doing with our station websites to better our stations as a whole?
I honestly think we have to stop believing we can change the consumer's behavior. Instead of us trying to get them to come to us, we must go to them. All of these social networking sites are great promotional tools that someone else has paid for to create a backbone, and a lot of companies don't want us to utilize them. Yet, we as an industry don't want to make the financial commitment to enhance our sites. Entercom just had us completely revamp www.989therock.com. Notice the link ... and I didn't name the other sites? Because they haven't paid me. It's important to remember who pays the check. That being said, if your station doesn't have a great website, then build your own and promote the station through one of those unnamed social networking sites. Do something. Don't rely on others to promote you. We are in the "please love me" business. Use every tool you can to give the audience an outlet to find out about your station. You are ultimately responsible for your own success.
7) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
Putting radio back in the hands of radio people. You wouldn't call an electrician to do your foundation work, would you? I'm just saying. If we want to do this, call the experts and write the stupid check. Short-term costs usually reap long-term benefits. Patience is a virtue. Isn't that what we're taught?
8) What's your take on current music? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same?
Overall? I think labels have the same issues radio has. Everyone's hesitant to take chances ... and that results in limited mass-distribution of interesting music. Quality is subjective. I think there's a lot of new music, and an ever-decreasing opportunity for the audience to be exposed. I'm not sure why that is. If it doesn't change, we're all going to wonder why nobody did anything.
9) 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?
As I type this, I'm listening to David Lee Roth's "Diamond Dave" album. Because I love it. I have a digital music player. Not the leading brand, but the one I like. And there are 9,000 or so songs on it. In any given day I'll go from Sly Stone to Motorhead to Chet Atkins and Les Paul. I love music. It is one of life's greatest pleasures.
10) What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you at a remote?
A couple of years ago, I got a fire extinguisher thrown at me. A car rolls up on me and the kids want to douse me -- except I turned around and caught them. Either they soiled themselves or the thing malfunctioned ... possibly both. So, not unlike when you run out of bullets when shooting Superman, they threw the extinguisher at me. Note to you: If you ever try this, it's a good idea to remove the tag of the company you lifted the extinguisher from. Makes it tougher to trace. I'm not saying revenge was exacted, but the story did generate some interesting follow-up calls.
Bonus Questions
Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
I really like Andy Sims, who just recently was a casualty of a format flip. His humor is dry, smart, and occasionally silly. He's got "it." Someone should give him a job stat!
What singer/performer/artist really inspires you and why?
Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) is a genius. The fact that American radio doesn't play his music is bullshit. Plain and simple: He has the ability to paint pictures with sound and lyrics. It is everything perfect about music. The fact that America is obsessed with karaoke shows instead of real musicianship astounds me.
How often do you aircheck your own shows? Is it mandatory that you run tape everyday? Also, can you honestly critique yourself?
I don't listen to myself. I hate everything I do. Self-loathing is an insane motivator. Years later I've listened to clips on www.neanderpaul.com and laughed. But at the time, I hated everything.
You're stuck on a deserted island and you get to pick one artist to be stuck with you. Who would it be and don't limit it to our format?
Lizzy Hale. She's a beautiful, intelligent girl with talent. What more could you want?
How often does your air staff front and back-sell songs?
Back-selling doesn't do anything but tell the audience what they missed. We don/t do it. We try to keep forward-momentum.
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