10 Questions with ... Joe Calgaro

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

WKQA /WXCL 1989, WSWT 1990, WWCT 1991-1999, WAPL 1999-Present, WZOR 2000-Present, WSCO 2006-2008

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

Early influences included guys like John Landecker, Steve Dahl & Gary Meier, Ken Johnson & Jim Tofte ... shows I grew up listening to in Illinois. My first job was doing a weekend show on 1350 WXCL. It was traditional AM Country. The first song I played on the air was "Tear In My Beer" by Hank Williams Sr. Bear in mind that at the time I was a 19-year-old Alternative Music fan (The Cure, R.E.M., Smiths, etc.) with hair to the middle of my back and wearing earrings and eye liner. Not exactly the Country Gold stereotype. First day on the air I couldn't remember how to record the top-of-the-hour news feed, so I simply played the same news every hour until my show was done. Good thing there was no major national event during those six hours ... nobody listening to me would have had a clue.

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

I was always fascinated by radio as a kid. My dad would always listen to these great AM stations in the car; he and I would try to come up with the answers to the trivia questions the jocks would ask. To me, these guys were famous celebrities and I thought it would be the coolest thing in the world to do what they did. I would make tapes with my friends on a little tape recorder, acting out some of our favorite SNL sketches and mixing music in between the bits. Once I got to college and realized that you could actually study this stuff instead of taking real classes, I was in!

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

I think so. It's tough to look back at 19 through a 40-year-old's eyes and answer that. I do know that with all of its challenges, I still love this industry after 21 years. Sometimes it takes the courage to move yourself from a less-than-desirable situation to one that is unknown but holds promise. That is a key to keeping your passion alive no matter what it is that you do.

4) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

I'll probably get hammered for saying this, but I honestly believe that poor programming is the biggest issue that we face as an industry. The industry as a whole, regardless of format or market size, needs to do a better job at putting a good product on the air. We need to stop getting wrapped up in all of the secondary and tertiary issues that we face on a day-to-day basis and focus first and foremost on the basic product. If we spent more time and resources getting that right, I believe that the other issues and threats facing the business always find a way of working themselves out in the long run.

5) What is the biggest change that you'd like to see happen in the business?

I'd like to see programmers allow their personalities more room to be creative on the air. Again, at the risk of getting hammered ... I feel that too much emphasis is placed on "get in and get out in 30 to 60 seconds." If it is strong compelling content, listeners will keep listening and it will strengthen your brand. Allow talent the ability to try things and fail. I hear complaints all the time about the ever-shrinking talent pool. If we never allow our talent to use their voice, how will they ever find it?

6) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?

I love listening to Boers and Bernstein on 670 The Score in Chicago. If I had to pick one as my favorite it's Dan Bernstein. Sorry, Terry!

7) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

I'll answer that with one of my favorite quotes: "The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do." -- Walter Bagehot

8) How do you interact with your sales staff?

My entire team works very closely with our sales team. It is so trite to discuss the eternal battle of Sales vs Programming. Our sales team rocks! They have a passion for the station and make a great effort to understand the creativity wrapped up in insanity that defines the programming team. It is daily communication, compromise, and a clear understanding that we are all ultimately working toward the same goal.

9) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?

Learn when to take risks and when to play it safe. This can include everything from music to promotions to imaging to how much freedom you give your talent. There is no one formula that is going to work for every situation. Take advice and counsel from as many sources as you can ... but then make your own decisions. If you are not as fortunate as I am to be in a situation like that, then maybe it is time to find a new situation.

10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?

No regrets at all. I had the opportunity to follow a friend to L.A. to pursue a career in music. It's interesting to think about how different life would have been. But absolutely no regrets.

What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?

KSHE 95 in St. Louis. Grew up listening to them on trips to St. Louis and have always loved the larger-than-life image and presentation.

What is your favorite TV show?

Criminal Minds - I have this total border-on-creepy fascination with true crime and serial killers. My wife questions her marital judgment on a day-to-day basis.

Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?

Without hesitation, it is John Lennon. His music and social activism changed my life.

What was the first song or full-length release you purchased?

The first song was the 45 single of "Afternoon Delight" by The Starland Vocal Band. I can't believe that I just admitted to that in print.

What do you do in your spare time?

I play drums and sing, though I am currently between bands. I love to get out and play golf as much as possible. I have a beautiful wife of 17 years, three sons ages 7 to 13, and a mutt named Madison ... they pretty much cover the rest of my "spare" time.