10 Questions with ... Jason Reed

NAME:Jason Reed TITLE:PD/MD STATION:WAEZ (Electric 94.9) MARKET:Johnson City/Bristol/Kingsport - TN/VA OWNER:Bristol Broadcasting Company Inc.

Please outline your radio career so far:

1999-2002 - WHAJ (J104.5)/Bluefield, WV - APD/MD
2002-Present - WAEZ (Electric 94.9) - PD/MD

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

The coolest thing was being in high-school and voice tracking mid-days on WHAJ. I VT'd 10a-noon and got out of school early to finish Noon-3 live.

2) What led you to a career in radio?

I always wanted to be a DJ. I was in Wal-Mart and ran into Greg Fletcher who was the morning jock on the Country station in the market. I harassed him for like 30 minutes and after the whole "restraining order" thing was cleared up he got me an interview with Chuck Raven, the OM, who hired me parttime.

3) What is your favorite part of the job?

The people I work with. When I come to work it feels like I am going to see my family. Everyone here at Bristol Broadcasting is so close... it really is like a family here.

4) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

I grew up in Bluefield, WV, so Roanoke was about an hour away, I spent a lot of time listening to K92. I was also a huge fan (and still am) of KIIS-FM in L.A. Streaming was around so I spent A LOT of timing listening to KIIS.

5) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?

I'd some point, I'd like to be a private pilot. I've taken a few lessons and I'm really digging it. Otherwise it's voiceover and web design.

6) What music do you listen to when you're not working?

I'm a big fan of Country. Lucky for me we have one of the best and highest-rated Country stations in America here in the building, WXBQ. Any station that consistently delivers a 20+ share EVERY TIME has gotta be doing something right!

7) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?

The lack of physical labor!

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

"You can't always get what you want, but you'll find sometimes you get what you need."

9) What advice you would give people new to the business?

Spend A LOT of time in the production room working on your craft. Listen to major market streams online for help with defining yourself. It's a great tool!

10) What is the current state of the radio 'talent pool'?

I think there are a lot of talented people out there but the opportunity for them to develop their craft is getting smaller and smaller. There are still a lot of people with a passion for this business, we just have to give them a chance.

BONUS: What's the best sweeper/liner you've ever heard?

We used it at J104.5 in Bluefield when I worked with Jay Patrix there. I think it went, "J104.5 - JAY'S NOT LOSING HIS HAIR, HE'S JUST GETTING MORE HEAD." He says he ripped it off from Rod "Roach Clip" Ruthinburg from WROV in Roanoke.