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10 Questions with ... Don Kellogg
October 20, 2009
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- 2001 - Program Director WBBE Citadel - Baton Rouge, LA
- 2001 - 2005 Operations Manger Cumulus Media - Lake Charles, LA
- 2005 - 2008 Operations Manager Cumulus Media - Killeen/Temple TX
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
First job in radio was working at our high school radio station, WCWT/Centerville, OH where I was the Music Director. First paying gig was at WACO-KHOO/Waco, TX. It was part-time when I started; I ended up full-time nights on KHOO.
Early influences include Charlie Van Dyke, Steve Kirk, Terry Dorsey, Dan Patrick, Ron Chapman and the old KZEW in Dallas.
2) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
KXRR is a free thinking, non-corporate run Rock station. We have personalities rather than liner card readers. We are the only Rock station around that is at the top of our market in ratings. Creative freedom is a wonderful thing and non-existent at most radio stations today.
3) 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?
We run all programming on a delay so that we can dump out of anything offensive. All songs have been edited for offensive content. We would do this anyway based on our market, so the FCC decision has not had a great impact.
4) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
Local radio has to get back to its roots with local personalities reflecting the local market. There is no way that Sat and Internet radio can serve the local audience as well as we can.
5) What can we be doing with our station websites to better our stations as a whole?
You must know your audience and place their interests in prime locations. Selling the web page is a must as well for NTR. Just like on-air, everything should be sponsored and designed to create revenue
6) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?
I have not made it to any concerts this year, but I do plan on hitting up Voodoo in New Orleans for Halloween
7) 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?
Muse, Rage Against The Machine, Hollywood Undead. I prefer music with an edge to it. Something with balls!
8) Over the years, we've had the "British Invasion," "Disco," "New Wave," "Rap & Hip Hop," "Boy Bands," and many other genres and sub-genres of music take off. What do you think is the next emerging music trend?
Rock crossing over into other genres of music will continue. Kings of Leon have been a great example of this. Look for Alternative Rock to influence the rock scene more.
9) If you are voicetracking shifts or syndicating for stations outside of your market, how do you get familiar with that marketplace/community?
The Internet is a wonderful thing. You can find out anything about any market and become familiar with that market. Local news outlets as well as the local COC.
10) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
Choose another career!
Bonus Questions
What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?
I like WEBN/Cincinnati and 101X/ Austin. Great radio stations with a history of success.
What has been the best performing record on the station so far this year?
Kings Of Leon/Sex On Fire.
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