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10 Questions with ... Greg Williams
July 30, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I love the competitive nature of the business. In my market my Top 40 competitor makes it a point to talk about me directly on the air, frankly I consider it a compliment and I have never allowed myself to be reduced to their level of immaturity and ignorance. The real joy comes when the listeners display their passion for your radio station with their support of station events and ultimately strong ratings. That's the joy, being the target on top of that hill and even though many have tried, they have been unsuccessful at sustaining themselves in that effort to knock us off. I like having that target on my back
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Time for another "Throwback" 10 Questions from 10 years ago.
KLEO-Wichita(CHR), KEYN-Wichita(CHR), KCBQ-San Diego(Country), KKRD-Wichita(CHR), KDGS-Wichita (Rhythmic CHR)
1. Why radio?
It's the only job I ever wanted to do in my life. I have known since the age of 12 that I wanted to be in broadcasting. I love my job and I wake up every morning doing something that I absolutely LOVE. I have been blessed. Radio is the only work I've ever done.
2. Not everyone remembers when KDGS was near the bottom of Wichita's ratings, before your arrival from across the street. What was the biggest key to the growth of the station?
The biggest key was that I had a vision for success, I had great management support, and I have had tremendously talented people that were on my team that made that vision come to life. A program director is only as good as the people he has on his team. From day one, I have made it a point to hire passionate, competitive, and aggressive talent. There has not been one person in all my time that I have had on my team that did not embody that effort. KDGS has always been the little engine that could. We have the smallest power of any radio tower in the market, but that tower is located squarely within the city limits that gives us tremendous coverage.
3. You're named PD of a new radio station in Heaven...who does nights?
Wow, that's a tough question. Does that person have to be living or dead? I would have to say DJ Felly Fell. He is awesome! If the person is deceased, then I gotta go Wolfman Jack, can you imagine him playing hip hop?! LOL!
4. Radio is a constantly changing thing. What's been some of the biggest changes in your years as a programmer?
It has got to be the reduction in talent, the loss of localism, how labels have lost control and influence, and the explosion of the digital platform that has changed our brands and our products forever.
5. You're back hosting the morning show at KDGS. What keeps you excited about being on the air?
I have a great morning show co-host in Lady Stephanie. She is a tremendous talent who makes my job easy. The KDGS audience is passionate about our station, so we have a very unique situation here in Wichita. I love the music, I have got to admit, one never gets used to hitting the alarm clock at 3 am, and I have to remind myself at 2 pm that maybe I should go home!
6. During your career, did you ever have an "I need to get out of this racket" moment?
Yes, I was 21, and by that time I had been doing radio for six years. I had a burning desire to get into programming and as an African-American I started to believe that the opportunities to do that in a CHR world simply would not happen. I then got an opportunity to go to KKRD as Music Director where we had an opportunity to build a classic radio station.
7. You're also getting your Master's degree. How do you juggle the time commitments in your life?
Man! Graduate school is a real challenge, call me crazy, but I love it! I am getting a master's in public administration and I believe that this has already served me well in my position as a manager and as a brand manager. Time management has always been a challenge for me, and being a workaholic makes it even more difficult. Trust me, I would rather be doing a lot of other things besides studying and writing 30 page papers, however, I have an insatiable thirst for knowledge, in that regard I find the whole journey extremely exciting. I have even thought about possibly pursuing a doctorate degree! For now, it's one thing at a time! Check in at the end of the fall semester and I may have a whole different opinion!
8. You're one of the most passionate music ears out there. Was that something you found early in your career or did it develop as you moved along in Radio?
I would have to say yes. I came from a very musical family. Everyone in my family either danced, sang, or played an instrument (including myself although I was never very good!). I LOVE music, all kinds of music, music is an artistic expression of our moments in time. Collectively, music expresses our societal emotions and communicates how we feel and what we experience in life. Music is the key to who and what we are as a people. I never had to "learn" how to listen to music, it was something that always came naturally and in time I have learned to trust what my ears tell me inside.
9. Where do you find joy in your job?
I love the competitive nature of the business. In my market my Top 40 competitor makes it a point to talk about me directly on the air, frankly I consider it a compliment and I have never allowed myself to be reduced to their level of immaturity and ignorance. The real joy comes when the listeners display their passion for your radio station with their support of station events and ultimately strong ratings. That's the joy, being the target on top of that hill and even though many have tried, they have been unsuccessful at sustaining themselves in that effort to knock us off. I like having that target on my back. Being the number one 18-34 station in the market for as long as we have been is a huge statement and something that was not achieved without a lot of hard work.
10. What would surprise people most about living and working in Wichita?
As many know, Wichita is great metropolitan area. Our local economy has not suffered as much as other parts of the country. The city is clean, with great schools, and tremendous quality of life. There is nothing like a Wichita State men's basketball game (just ask Michael Williams...he can't wait to go to a game with me again!). Also, Wichita has a black mayor, black police chief, and black fire chief! Now that's cool.
Bonus Questions
Think for a minute about the record promotion executives and field reps you know. Who's got the best radio ears?
There are a handful of them. Naming them all is never easy, but I would have to say Michael Williams (my brother from another mother!), Rick Sackhiem, Kevin "Chixo" Gibbs, Nino Cuccinello, Ayelet Schiffman, John McMann, Gary Spangler, Paula Tuggey, John Christian, Vince Pellegrino, and of course my man, Pete Jones!
What song, in rotation now, always seems to make you want to smile when you hear it on the station?
Hmmm, that would have to be Drake "Best I Ever Had" and Jay Sean "Down"
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