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10 Questions with ... Jay Steele
February 15, 2022
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Please give us a brief career synopsis…started at WKSE in my hometown of Buffalo right out of college in 1997, then moved to WNKI/WNGZ Elmira, NY, WBZN/Bangor, ME, WWYL/Binghamton, NY, WPXY/WZNE Rochester, NY and finally (I hope) here in Northwest Arkansas. I’ve been here 16 years.
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
I couldn’t get enough! I did production, promotions and on-air shifts whenever they would let me. I mostly refused to leave the building and I was fortunate to learn a lot of different skills from some good people.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
I was focused on television sports in college, and after a few internships decided maybe television wasn’t going to be my thing. I decided I looked better on the radio.
3. You’re on a remarkable run in Fayetteville. To what do you attribute the longevity?
I don’t know if remarkable is the right word, but I’ve been here a lot longer than I planned. I don’t know…it’s a really great place to live, I love the company and the core group of people I work with – plus I got married and had kids. Northwest Arkansas has become home for me.
4. You still crack the mic every weekday doing afternoons on Hot. What do you still love the most about being on the air?
Connecting with the audience. There are some great off-air programmers in our industry, but I feel like I’ve got to be in the trenches every day to be at my best.
5. Who would be the ultimate “dream guest” to have come in and sit across from you on your show? A current person? And format-specific??
Probably Ed Sheeran, he seems funny and very down to earth.
6. You got to be on the radio in your hometown (Buffalo). What was that like for you?
It was pretty cool, especially with a station I grew up listening to a lot. I love Western New York, and to get a chance to be so involved in the community was really fun. I went to every remote, festival and promotional event I could and got to experience the area in ways I never did growing up there. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the city and its people.
7. “Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. How are you keeping your station visible and involved in the community? Have you been able to get back out there?
Arkansas never had a shelter in place order, but we scaled back to almost no public appearances for more than a year. We don’t have the staff anymore to hit every blood drive in town, but we try to have a presence the major non-profit events…and there a lot of those in Northwest Arkansas.
8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
WORK. I’ve never been the most talented person in the building, but I’ve always been willing to learn and outwork everybody. That’s the only reason I’m still in the business today.
9. What were your favorite stations growing up as a kid? Jock(s)?
I listened to everything, but WKSE was usually the station I always went back to. I remember Rocky Allen in the morning. Kid Kelly did nights there for a few years (he was Kid Crockett at the time). Doc Reno did afternoons when I was a little older, and he was always fun to listen to. He was still there when I started, which was fun.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
I don’t know if I had any true mentors, but I have had a lot of great influences. Bob Quick was my PD at WNKI in Elmira…he gave me my first full time on-air gig and he really took the time to teach. I worked for Justin Bryant in Binghamton; that was my first morning show and I learned a lot there.
Bonus Questions
With an unlimited budget, which 3-5 artists would you pull together for a Hot 101.9 show?
Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Adele, Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X. Who would headline that show??
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