10 Questions with ... Jay Whatley

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started in radio when I was a 15 years old as a sophomore in high school. I was hired to work part-time around my school schedule for KRUF. I've worked here, at KRUF, ever since. I've been a part of a morning show, as well as hosted overnights from 12-6a, then nights from 7p-12a, and now afternoons from 3-7p. I've been hosting afternoons for nearly four years now.

I've also worked for Sirius XM and CBS Sports Network as a producer on the Tim Brando Show, and as the emcee/DJ for the largest social media tour in the world, the MAGCON Tour during its second run.

1. You have one of the all-time great "got my foot in the door" radio stories. Please share the details.

This is easily my favorite "radio story" to tell, even 12 years later. When I was a sophomore in high school, I made a collection of "battle rap songs" that aimed at our rival high school. The other school had students who made songs about us in response. We would post them weekly on our MySpace pages, and both schools would get behind their guy and vote on a winner. It's so embarrassing looking back on them because they were all absolutely terrible. In a weird way, though, they were the greatest things that I ever did. A friend of mine from schools father was the OM at GAP Broadcasting/Shreveport at the time, and he heard the songs and absolutely loved them. Shortly afterwards, my friend introduced me to his dad and we just hit it off. He asked me if I wanted to apply for a job with GAP, and considering I had recently applied to work at a grocery store, I quickly said yes and went to work. I've been here in this building ever since.

2. KRUF has a heritage legacy both in the market and in the format. How does that help the station strategically?

When I was a kid, I would force my mom to listen to KRUF. They were "The Big Dog" back then and I love every second of it. I loved the brand new music, and I loved the DJs who made it all somehow seem borderline magical. Today, we try to do the same thing. Shreveport knows where the hit music is, because that's how it's always been, and that makes it easier for us. Personally, I'm as local and community-driven as possible. The music and the local-ness is the formula that KRUF has benefited from for over 20 years.

3. What are you doing social media-wise?

I try to be as engaging as possible with my audience on social media. I feel like it's an on-air light that never goes off. In the past, people would travel across town to get to a radio station remote on time just to see what their favorite radio DJ looks like. Now, we're so insanely visible within our markets, that it gives us a chance to pull the curtain back and connect with our audience in a deeper, more personal way, outside of the four to five hours we're talking to them in their car.

4. "Local, local, local" has always been radio's mantra. How does the station stay visible and involved in the community?

KRUF, in 2019, is still as involved in our community as ever. No one on our staff will say no to a community event, and we all fill up our calendars with local appearances on a weekly basis. If something is happening in Shreveport, we will be there and chances are we'll be a big part of it. That will always be a driving force for KRUF.

5. What is your favorite part of the job?

I love that working a full day never feels like "work." We have such a wonderful staff at Townsquare Media/Shreveport. From the sales staff to the staff of each individual radio station in our cluster, we all get along well and work together for each other. It is fun to work at a place like this, and it makes it easier to do your job when everyone around you supports you.

6. What is the most challenging part of the job?

I've always said that the most challenging part of a radio DJ's job is that every day has to be perfect. I don't mean performance-wise, but I do mean perfect on a personal level. No matter what we're going through in our personal lives, when that light comes on, we are simply having the best day ever. Every single day, no matter what. Listeners can always tell when something isn't right, and I feel like leaving yourself at the door every day can be challenging, but it's what we signed up for.

7. What's the coolest promotion you've been involved with recently?

I'm most excited about a promotion we put together about a month ago. It's called "Jay Walking" and I describe it as "Shreveport's Favorite Pop-Up Game Show" For the promotion, I partnered with an amazing local film studio, and we shoot pop-up game shows on the streets of Shreveport. The cameras are hidden at first, while I strangely walk around holding a large, mysterious briefcase. I approach suspicious people and ask them a simply question, "Do you wanna win some money?" They have no clue they are being filmed at that time, so the entire interaction is usually perfectly awkward. When they say they want to play, the camera crew comes out, and the game show is on. I offer money for every Shreveport-themed trivia question answered correctly, while standing behind a game show podium that folds out of my suitcase. It's a really fun, engaging promotion that gives us visibility in a new, exciting way.

8. Who would be a "dream guest" to have on your show?

This is a tough one to answer right now because I saw Avengers: Endgame this morning and it's all I can think about. I will resist, though, and go with a character from my favorite TV show, The Office. Steve Carell as Michael Scott joining me on the show?

9. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

Believe it or not, KRUF has been my favorite radio station since I can remember. I think about that every day, and I consider myself blessed to sit in this studio every afternoon.

10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

Robert J Wright and Gary McCoy. Robert J Wright has traveled all over the country for a lot of years perfecting this craft. He's worked in too many markets to count, he's my favorite radio personality of all time. He was my favorite growing up, as he hosted the morning show on KRUF "The Big Dog" and is still working in this building to this day, now on our News station 710 KEEL. He has helped me through the years more than I could ever say, and I'm grateful to have such a great relationship with him. Gary McCoy was my first OM who really took a shot on me at an early age. Since then, he has taught me the right way to do what we do. His radio mind is unmatched, and I'm glad that he's allowed me to pick that mind as much as I possibly can.

If someone were coming to town for a visit, what is the one thing that you'd make sure that they saw while they were there?

Come to a Shreveport Mudbugs hockey game! Yep, somehow down here in Louisiana, we've got an exceptional hockey team and the games are an experience unlike any other. If you come to town and it's not hockey season, you can always join me at one of our many casinos. Hopefully you'll bring enough money for both of us; I do work in radio after all...