10 Questions with ... John "JD" Sutphin

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Also: Nights at 102.1 the X, Richmond, VA

1) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on-air? (dead air ... forget a mic was still on ... etc.)

First night ever running the board for our "Monday Night Football" remote ... I hit the play button too hard and it fired off almost an entire hour's worth of audio, all playing at the same time! Luckily, my PD at the time, Aaron Roberts, who was doing the broadcast must've been getting a beverage, as he heard nothing!

2) How are you using new music technologies to work with the music you program on your station, in production, and in your personal life?

iHeartradio has been fantastic for us. I'm blown away by how many listeners leave comments on our Facebook page, or send e-mails to us letting us know just how much they enjoy it. Whether it's a guy mowing his grass, listening on his iPhone or someone in the office catching the end of our morning show on their Blackberry, it's a really cool way to stay connected.

3) How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?

Outside of being an Internet geek who's constantly looking up music online, I'm very lucky to be in a band that tours frequently and it's very interesting seeing the other styles of music, from city to city or even month to month, in our own town. It's also great to speak one-on-one to P1s who head to rock shows and care about supporting music.

4) How often do you do remotes and which work best for the station?

We're out pretty often, probably at least once a week. I've never been a fan of seeing a station at a cell phone store with some brochures on plans and literally nothing else but maybe a sour attitude. There has to be SOMETHING in your prize closet you can bring out that would make a listener's day. We make sure there's always a sign-up box for concert tickets, at the very least ... and more than likely you'll make a promoter happy for getting them some "remote love" for their show!

5) What approach do you take after a soft book?

It's easy to get really wrapped up in one book, whether up or down. A PD I had a few years ago, Matt Spatz (who's now at WNCD in Ohio), was always a great example of taking the "win" when you get it, but also letting the "soft book" roll off your back so you never lose your cool or sight of the goal. Either way, an evening with a bottle of Irish whiskey is perfect as well.

6) How do you interact with your sales staff?

With one of those whips the lion trainers used to carry at the circus, of course! I'm kidding! I actually I try to work with them as much as possible on our promotions. Our sales manager, Tammy Cazad, and I are constantly brainstorming ways to make clients happy while getting fun prizes and/or events for our listeners.

7) What led to your station's recent ratings increase?

In the amount of years I've been here, we've never lost that hunger to stay on the streets, promoting this station with a grassroots mentality. From taking a few hours from your weekend to go host an event and get your call letters out loud and clear, to taking the van to lunch every day (which is also a sneaky way to save gas, ha!).

8) In today's world of multi-tasking and wearing many hats, how do you find time to show prep and what sources do you use?

Prepping shouldn't be as hard as some jocks make it;, sometimes it's as easy as clicking over to "Google" and running a search on the song you're talking out of ... you would be blown away by some of the stories you'll find and can give your listeners something other than station ID, title, artist and liner.

9) If you are voicetracking shifts or syndicating for stations outside of your market, how do you get familiar with that marketplace/community?

I would recommend finding friends in the market on Facebook and/or Twitter. Where are they eating lunch today? Did they see a good band last night? People are posting EVERYTHING; use it to your advantage!

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

Remember that at the end of the day, this business can be a really good time. I'm one of those tree-hugging, positive-thinking folks who believes mindset is everything

How often do you air check your own shows? Is it mandatory that you run tape everyday? Also, can you honestly critique yourself?

I aircheck once a week" sometimes I'll listen with my wife and I'll get the "I have no idea what you're talking about right now" look, which isn't fun, but at least she's honest! My PD for 102.1 The X, Casey Krukowski, has always been great finding crutches; it's weird how those things ebb and flow from time to time!

What gets you upset at work and how do you channel your anger?

Negative attitudes are in no way useful -- ever. And when those days happen, you can be sure to find me enjoying some local BBQ for lunch. It's an ancient way of cooking and a cure-all!