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10 Questions with ... Nick Elliott
May 16, 2006
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NAME:Nick ElliottTITLE:PDSTATION:KWYL & KNEVMARKET:Reno/Lake Tahoe, NevadaOWNER:Citadel
1 How did you land your first gig?
Every Sunday, I'd board op the "American Country Countdown" in a small Florida town called Dunnellon. I was 16 and one of 83 students in my graduating class. Anyway, one Tuesday, while sitting in math, the principal's assistant comes in and asks the teacher if I could be excused from class (I'm thinking it's because I put tacks in my teacher's chair a week earlier).
On the way to the principal's office, they tell me I have a phone call. Turns out, it's Dennis Miller (my PD, NOT the comedian). The midday girl had called in sick, and he had to go to a meeting. He asked if I could come in to do the shift. Dennis cleared it with the principal Mr. Wheelis (dork!), who said I could LEAVE school to do the airshift. I told the PD that I had never done an actual music show. "It's easy" he said, "it'll take ten minutes to show you what to do." The rest, as they say, is history. I was the midday fill-in High School Student STAR in Dunnellon (all the weekly papers covered the story).
2 What got you interested in radio?
My cousin, an electronics whiz, had one of those Radio Shack kits where you could build an FM transmitter that broadcast 50 feet. We had our station when I was about ten years old (W-FART... we BLEW out all the hits). Also, props to my mom for introducing me to The Greaseman on The Big Ape (WAPE) Jacksonville (listened every morning). After that, I idolized Q-105 in Tampa ... great stuff!
3 You're overseeing an AC, a Rhythm station, and have also programmed Pop. Is one format easier to program than the other?
First of all, I owe a big thank you to my GM Sandy Gamblin, for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. What I am doing on WILD 102.9 is exactly what I envision a station that drives 18-34 females should do ... exactly! And, it's the easiest format for me ... since I feel it in my gut. We're doing REAL Top 40 for females. I think about females 24/7 - now if I could only troll the request lines and get one to live with me.
4 You're making some strides toward the Pop side of the music spectrum. Are there changes in the near future for KWYL?
When I think of Top 40s from the back in the glory days ... like the Ape, Q-105, etc., I think of FUN and HOT. That's the direction we're taking. The BIGGEST music out there, delivered with lots of fun. Call it what you want, Kelly Clarkson-meets-Shakira-meets-Chamillionaire ...
5 You just brought in a new night jock, T.P. What can you tell us about him?
You mean Teddy P! I probably shouldn't tell you about him, 'cause a major market will steal him away. He's an up-to-now undiscovered talent that I have to thank (sister station KKWD PD) Ronnie Ramirez for hooking me up with.
6 Does Reno offer promotion opportunities that are unique to that market?
I have to say, for a city this size, Reno does have major market appeal. World class skiing, golf, gambling, (legalized prostitution). The Casinos bring in shows that don't even come to some larger markets.
7 What is your favorite part of the job?
Imaging and developing talent.
8 What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
Q-105 in Tampa and Z-100 New York.
9 Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
Take a wild guess. Golf ... but only at top courses (no muni's, please) I'm spoiled.
10 How can we use the ever-increasing digital technologies to give radio listeners their entertainment fix?
Stay on top of your web-page. Nobody cares about HD. Stay ahead of the curve. Give all your jocks a MySpace page. Deliver a better on air product. Be alive, not just live. Be local, be happening, be on the street ... know what is going on! Here is what I really believe. Local radio will always survive. People want to hear what is going on in their city. The talent and commercials tell listeners about the awesome sale going on at the mall, the new water park, or the hot new nightclub offering great drink specials. You cannot get that with i-Pods, XM, or Sirius.
Bonus Questions
What fact about Nick Elliott would it surprise most people to know?
I was a Professional jai-alai player and pro golfer. Not bad, considering I never thought of myself as the "athletic type." Just good hand-eye coordination, I guess. Put that in your prophet system and smoke it!
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