-
10 Questions with ... Chris Ryan
October 17, 2006
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Chris RyanTITLE:PDSTATION:KKCTMARKET:Bismarck, NDOWNER:Cumulus
Please outline your radio career so far:
Sept 99-Dec 01: WMXZ/Fort Walton Beach, FL; nights/APD/MD
Dec 04-June 06: WNUQ/Albany, GA; Mornings
July 06-present: KKCT/Bismarck, ND; PD/Afternoons1 How would you describe your first radio gig?
While in the Air Force, stationed at Eglin AFB in Fort Walton Beach, I wanted to do something on the weekends. I had always been interested in radio and walked into WMXZ, where they hired me for weekends right away. I caught on really fast. In 6 months, I was named Music Director. When I got out of the military, I went full time APD/MD and did nights.
2 What led you to a career in radio?
Retail customers! After WMXZ, I got out of radio for a bit and did the retail thing. I made really good money, but worked countless hours with no thanks or appreciation. I then realized what a thankless job retail management is. I have great respect for anyone who works retail now! The money wasn't as important as having a job that I enjoyed. I wanted to be excited to go to work everyday and the only thing that gave me that was radio! There was an opening at WNUQ in Albany, GA for mornings and that was my ticket back. Thanks to Jason Savage and Mark Pollitt for believing in me. They saw my passion for radio and the rest is history!
3 How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?
Country music is huge in our market! We have two heritage country stations, one FM and one AM, that pull big numbers. We just launched a 3rd country station in our cluster a month ago to pull some of those numbers our way. KKCT is the only CHR in town. The competitor left the format shortly after we launched, and are now AC. We have no Hip Hop or Alternative station in town, so we're pretty broad based. I can pull from the Hot AC charts, CHR/Rhythmic and CHR/Pop charts and play songs that make sense, without it sounding like a big train-wreck. We also have two Classic Rock stations and one of the few Oldies stations in the country that still pull good numbers.
4 What is your favorite part of the job?
Affidavits ... just kidding! That's the only thing I don't like! I actually get excited to go to work everyday. This doesn't even seem like a job, it's more like a hobby.
5 Could you give us a little insight into your on air staff?
Since March of this year, we've been airing Kidd Kraddick in the Morning. It's a great, entertaining show! Currently, we have no midday person - something I hope to remedy soon. I do afternoons and have come to realize that there's a lot that goes into handling PD duties and preparing a show on a daily basis. Chase Powers is our night guy. What a mess (LOL) ... I make sure he takes his medication before each show, otherwise I'm afraid of what'll come out of his mouth. Seriously, he's great on the phones and the listeners love him ...great qualities in a night guy. Along with part-timer Scott Frost, the three of us cover weekend shifts.
6 Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
There are so many, but one that comes to mind is MJ, from WFLZ. I grew up listening to MJ and BJ doing mornings on FLZ ... the best morning show I've ever heard. They'd make me late for work because I'd be sitting in my car listening to them and laughing my ass off ...good times!
Chad Pitt, who does afternoons on WXXL, has one the best voices in radio and he's always having a good time on the air. Dana McKay from 96.5 WTIC is one my favorite females on the air. I fell in love with her when she did middays on FLZ. She's funny, full of celebrity gossip and knows how to relate to women really well. She actually does the gossip segment (Dana's Dirt) on our night show! Adam Bomb from our sister station WWWQ, Michael Yo from WHYI, Scott Tyler (formerly of KDWB), JJ Kinkaid from WHTZ, and Toby Knapp (who is going to WIHT) are a few more favorites who know how to do good radio.
7 What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
I grew up listening to WMC-FM 100 in Memphis. They were one of the best CHR's in the 80's! My best and worst teenage years were spent in Orlando listening to WXXL and WFLZ. I wanted to be like Kidd Kruz from WXXL ...LOL!
8 What music do you listen to when you're not working?
I'm a mutt when it comes to music! I listen to just about everything, but enjoy a lot of the new Christian Rock out now - Jeremy Camp, Mark Schultz, Kutless, MercyMe, stuff like that. I'm also into the new stuff from Hinder, Mat Kearney, The Fray and even the new Ludacris!
9 What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
Partying and drinking with all the celebrities, of course! That's why I originally wanted to get into radio, but now that reality has set in, it's still a fun job! There's something new everyday and always a challenge. I like that. It keeps me out of trouble!
10 What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
When you work hard for something you're passionate about, people will notice.
Bonus Questions
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Not sure ...I'm still growing up!
-
-