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10 Questions with ... J.Reed
November 1, 2016
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- KHTN/Merced CA (Overnights)
- KBOS/Fresno (Weekends)
- KISV/Nights/MD/PD/Middays
1. Why Radio?
I got the Hip Hop Bug after I got out of High School. When I got into college I found myself instead of going to my classes, writing rhymes. My good friend, DAVID "D" ROSS was working at KHTN at the same a well respected programmer was in charge....I think you know him....PETE JONES. I started to see how much fun this business was and about a year later, there was an opening for a parttime shift. I took it and haven't looked back since.
2. You took over as PD of a station that was doing very well. How do you keep HOT...hot?
I know most people when they hear BAKERSFIELD they think..."small town". Well I don't feel that way about the station. So we pride ourselves on making the station sound like a big market station. We also always keep in mind that it's about the listeners! We do everything in our power to make sure our station is like a part of their family.
3. How do you balance work with personal life?
I think I was the only Program Director in the country that was doing Nights, so there were some rough times on the homefront, coming into work at 11am and not leaving until 11pm. Luckily, I recently moved to middays, so after six years I finally have a personal life...and my wife's a whole lot nicer too!
4. What did you see as your biggest challenge when you accepted the job as PD at HOT?
I started here just like the rest of the fellas on the staff, someone that wasn't making decisions and signing everybody's checks. So I just need to make sure that the staff knew that I was still their friend, but at the same time when I needed something done, I could trust them to follow thru.
5. What secret about J. Reed will surprise even those that know you?
I was in the JERRY SPRINGER SHOW! My friend made up a story that the producers liked. They flew us out to CHICAGO, and before you know it, I'm walking out on the stage with a pair of panties in my hand and the crowd went crazy! It's a long story so if you want the full details you're gonna have to call me.
6. What are you looking to hear as you hit "play" on an aircheck for a gig?
I want to hear someone that you can tell is truly having fun, and at the same time they sound like someone you would like to have a conversation with or want to know because they sound like they are the life of the party. The more you can sound like the listener and the less you sound like a "paid talker" the farther you'll go!
7. Who do you consider to be your mentor(s)?
I wouldn't be doing these 10 questions if it wasn't for BOB LEWIS and PICAZZO STEVENS. They brought me in and giving me a chance to learn and grow at this station. They gave me the right tools to keep this station performing at it's highest levels. I woulnd't be here without to KSFM APD/MD TONY TECATE telling Bob about me and telling me to send my stuff immediately. Also KHTN PD RENE ROBERTS, he let me know that I didn't suck! I have to mention D. ROSS, he's not in the business anymore but he's the guy that told me that I could do this, and he keeps encouraging me everyday.
8. Give me one line on the members of your air staff and programming team?
Romeo in the Morning - No other personality on Radio or T.V. in this city compares to Romeo and his ability to have everyone listen, even if they don't like what he has to say, especially about the Radiers!
Randy Richards - Randy is our MVP, he's can and will do anything that's needed and will be running his own station as soon as he's ready!
Eric Sean/OM - We started in radio together and for us to be doing what we are with this station and his station is something that we never saw coming, but we're loving every second of it.
9. If you could be a contestant on a TV reality show, which show would you be on?
The Simple Life so I can give Nicole Richie something to eat.
10. What record was your biggest surprise hit of 2006
I'm not going to lie, it has to be Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack". I really thought Justin had lost his mind.
Bonus Questions
What song, in rotation now, always seems to make you want to smile when you hear it on the station?
AKON "I Wanna Love You" featuring SNOOP. SUJIT (KUNDU) and ARTIE (GENTILE) at UNIVERSAL MOTOWN were on me hard about playing "Smack That" but I kept telling them that "I Wanna Love You" should be the first single. I guess it worked out for both of us.
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