10 Questions with ... Jay Shannon

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• KFQX/Abilene, PD and morning drive
• KZII/Lubbock, PD and morning drive, syndicated into four markets
• KHFI/Austin, PD and PM drive
• KXXM/San Antonio, PD and PM drive
• KHFI-KPEZ/Austin, PD

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

Amazing - fell in love with radio before even beginning the business ... weekend overnights on KFQX/Abilene.

2) What led you to a career in radio?

I was infatuated with Dallas radio - KZEW, Y95, KEGL and K104.

3) How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?

Very competitive (as everyone says), tons of big morning shows - Bobby Bones dominates the market. Several music competitors as well: Kiss, Beat, Mix, 101X, Bob, Kase.

4) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?

The Bobby Bones show for starters. His show cuts through; it has excellent chemistry, and they live the lifestyle of the target demo (as all are in the 18-34 age cells). No cast member remotely sounds like a DJ and overall, the content moves and is very compelling. The rest of the staff also cut through with personality. By far the best lineup in the market.

5) What's the coolest promotion you've been involved with recently?

Loved our High School Invasion - 3.7 million text messages were sent in, and the school with the most won a pep rally with the Bobby Bones Show and Jay Sean/Taio Cruz.

6) What's the coolest promotion you've ever been involved with?

A station concert with Lady Gaga ... truly amazing to see the crowd be absolutely engaged with that show ... a promotion that our audience will never forget.

7) Looking back, which years hold the best musical memories for you and who were your favorite acts at that time?

'90s - NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Creed, Blackstreet, Lil Troy ... I thought the era was excellent and I was just then truly "getting" the art of programming.

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

Ever changing, never boring and love the center of it being the music

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

Love what you do, do it well and the money will come. I was poor for 10 years in this business. I'm certainly not "rich" now, but you get my point.

10) What would you like to do to save radio from its "dying-industry" image?

I don't believe it's "dying." Is there more compression and technology to compete with? Yes. However, personalities, station on-air and online content will keep it relative and separate us from online music, iPods etc. Those broadcasters (TV or Radio) who provide content you can only get there ("American Idol," "Lost," etc.) will continue to thrive and not "die." The same "ol', same ol'" will be dead. It's about staying ahead of all the other mediums that give listeners music or other content. They still use radio for new music, personalities and listen for the "localism" unique to their city.

For someone vacationing in your market, what one thing would you say they "must see"?

For sure, 6th Street. You'll see EVERYTHING there ... the bars/restaurants are unique ... every one of them.