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10 Questions with ... Jeff Cage
November 15, 2022
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1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
My first paid gig in radio was basically a laboratory in learning at a small family-owned radio station in Lawrence, KS. KLZR-FM was a flagship Alternative station from 1993-1999 and I worked my way up from weekends to afternoons and worked every shift possible. Despite huge ratings and Rolling Stone magazine's blessing as one of the top 10 stations in America that "didn't suck," the station was sold to a bigger owner that decided to flip it to CHR in 1999. Working at this station set the groundwork for my career and provided a great deal of autonomy and the ability to try new things and be adventurous.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
When I started college in the fall of 1988, my brother was already the music director at KJHK-FM at the University of Kansas, and he recruited me to be a college radio DJ saying that the station "needed people that love great music." He also reminded me that I need to be involved "in something" while in college. During my first show, I played a song from The Clash and a listener called to tell me that I'd picked a great song from the band and that he loved everything I had been playing so far on my first show. With that complement, I was hooked. I stayed with the college station and eventually became program director my senior year. At the time, KJHK-FM was a cutting-edge College Rock station and it set my musical tastes for years. When KLZR-FM/Lawrence flipped from CHR to Alternative rock in 1993, I graduated college and applied for a part time job to be a KLZR personality. The rest is history.
3. Three years ago you were awarded Sr. VP Programming stripes and promoted to the company's St. Louis Region. Is there anything close to a typical day for you?
There is never a typical day working in radio and that's why I love what I do. Sure, some of the basics never change, but radio is always evolving, and I work for an amazing company that is a leader in the industry that embraces change, new technology, and new ways to connect with listeners in many ways.
4. You're based in Des Moines, what makes the stations in the cluster sound so great?
We have great stations in Des Moines thanks to great programmers and dedicated personalities that know how to connect with our listeners. WHO-A is a heritage News/Talk station that first began broadcasting in 1924. Today, it's a leader in the News/Talk format with Mike Dorwart at the helm and it still provides a big voice for the Iowa community thanks to a great lineup of personalities like Max and Amy in the morning, Jeff Angelo, and Simon Conway. KXNO-FM is our Sports/Talk station, PD Andrew Downs and the team of hosts knows how to connect with the Iowa sports fans. Hosts like Travis Justice, Ross Peterson, Ken Miller, Trent Condon, Keith Murphy, Andy Fales, Heather Burnside, and Sean Roberts lead our local shows with the big Iowa sports stories and the national stories that matter most. KKDM is our top rated CHR station and Taylor J is the PD and midday host that works hard to keep this station in the middle of everything. KDRB-FM is our adult hits station called 100.3 The Bus and is consistently a top-rated performer featuring the biggest hits of the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
5. How did navigating the pandemic make you a better programmer and broadcaster?
The pandemic forced us all to find new ways to work more effectively and overcome new hurdles. While it was challenging managing a team without face-to-face contact, we embraced other ways to communicate which ultimately strengthened our team. iHeartMedia was very quick to develop new tools and ways to increase productivity even while working remote. We never stood still and just waited for it to end. We embraced the challenge and came out the other side even stronger.
6. Is there ever a chance for you to plug in the cans and do an air shift?
When I left KDJE-FM (Active Rock) in Little Rock in 2019, I didn't know if I would ever be back on the air. After a few years leading my team and not being on the air, I began to miss the connection with listeners. I'm happy to announce that I went back on the air in October and I'm hosting afternoon drive on KDRB-FM. Listen at www.thebusfm.com/listen
7. Where will our next generation of radio stars come from? Can we entice Gen Z folks to listen to terrestrial radio and consider the business as a career option?
Our next generation of radio stars are out there now embracing radio, podcasts, and streaming audio. There are many opportunities in audio, radio, and the digital space that will continue to attract innovators to our industry.
8. What's your all-time favorite backstage moment?
My favorite backstage moment actually happened on stage in front of 10,000 people. Ivan Moody from Five Finger Death Punch invited me on stage during one of their concerts in Little Rock to introduce a mother of a fallen servicemember that wanted the band to dedicate a song to her son. Just before their final song before leaving the stage for the encore, Ivan invited me and the mother on stage and handed me the microphone to handle the duties. I asked the audience to join in on honoring the fallen soldier with him mom standing next to me on stage. The crowd began chanting, "USA" over and over. I returned the microphone to Ivan, and he embraced the mother and I center stage with a huge bear hug. There wasn't a dry eye in the arena as Five Finger Death Punch launched into their remake of The Offspring's 'Gone Away" with Ivan dedicating it to the fallen soldier and his family he left behind. Afterwards, I was with the family in the audience when they thanked me for helping them finally get some closure on his death. Very moving.
9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
I grew up listening to KEWI-AM in Topeka, KS as a young hid in the 70s and early 80s. It was a Top 40 station that played all the current big ones of the day. When FM became a big deal, I moved to KDVV-FM which I later was PD of from 1999-2005. As a teenager, I listened mostly to Kansas City's KYYY (KY102). KY102 was a huge rock station and I have fond memories of listening to Skid Roadie in the afternoons. I have memories of Skid interviewing Joe Walsh many times. I always loved when Joe Walsh would come in because he and Skid sounded like they were buddies and having the best time.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
I didn't have many mentors in my early radio career, but I would count Phil Hunt as one of them. Phil Hunt was a Region Senior VPP when I worked in Little Rock, and he is a true inspiration that helped build KSSN-FM (Country) into the ratings powerhouse it is today. Other iHeartMedia leaders have also inspired me including Bob Pittman, Tom Poleman, Brad Hardin, Jon Zellner, Shosh Abromovich, Maynard, and Tony Travatto among others.
Bonus Questions
What was the first album (or CD or cassette) that you ever bought? What was the first concert that you ever attended?
The first album I bought and have bought on all formats is The Clash's "London Calling" release. It's my favorite album from my favorite band. The first concert I went to that I remember fully is the one my mom took me to in 1979. I was nine and seeing Billy Joel on the "52nd Street Tour" is a memory that sticks with me, and I still call him one of my favs. The first concert I went to without my parents was to see Dead Kennedys in 1984 when I was 14.
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