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10 Questions with ... Wes Jordan
June 16, 2020
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I spent 20 years bouncing around the Quad Cities market for WXLP, KBOB, KBEA, KMCS, and KWPC.
1. What got you into radio?
Radio was a big part of my life growing up. I probably listened to the radio more than I watched TV when I was a kid. Music was my thing. When I was a senior in high school, I had to walk across the parking lot of the radio stations I would one day call home. There was a morning show stunt going on and I thought that would be a cool job. That same week, my guidance counselor had a talk with me about what I wanted to be when I grew up. He was a former employee at WLS in Chicago, so we looked into communications at the local collage. I actually started out in TV before I moved into radio.
2. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
I wanted to be a rock star. Unfortunately, the roll of Gene Simmons in Kiss was taken. I also can’t play a instrument nor can sing so the next best thing was a DJ.
3. What were some of your first impressions from your first time walking into a radio station?
I walked in with a pretty open mind. I didn’t expect much, and to this day...nothing surprises me anymore about this business.
4. What do you find most challenging as an air personality during the Covid-19 pandemic?
Working from home hasn’t been super easy, but we are making it work. We don’t want to ignore or make light of the situation at hand, nor cause chaos. The latenight talk shows have the perfect balance. I want our listeners to come to us as a escape, but we want them to know we are a trusted friend and (as cheesy as it sounds) we are in this together.
5. What would probably surprise most people about living and working in Peoria?
Well, I’ve only physically lived here since November, but I’ve met a lot of awesome people so far. I don’t really have anything negative or positive to say. It’s big enough to keep someone busy, but small enough to feel like there life out there.
6. What has most surprised you?
Nothing really, but the Coronavirus run on toilet paper has me questioning humanity.
7. Your favorite lockdown activity?
I got a PS4 for Christmas and I knew I wasn’t going to get a lot of time on it this spring and summer, but I’ll admit when I’m wrong. I also go for daily 4-mile walks to keep my mind and body healthy.
8. If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?
That’s hard because I’m doing the only thing I wanted to do. I would probably have studied to be an engineer. I set up my home studio by trial and error. I’ve had a few stops in between radio stints doing retail, a merchandiser for a wine vendor, and a tech for a fire extinguisher company.
9. If you could be on any TV reality show or game show, which would you want to be on?
LOL! TV = Survivor, Game Show = Wheel of Fortune
10. American Idol, The Voice or America's Got Talent?
While I can appreciate what they are all about...None. I don’t watch any of them. I feel if you’ve got it, work for it and not on some TV karaoke contest. Hard work pays off. I feel they are the fast way out.
Bonus Questions
If you had to eat one type of meal every day for a month, what would it be?
I’m picky about what I eat, so I’d say steak and potatoes.
Low Budget Lockdown?
One movie: Star Wars
One TV Show: LEGO Masters
One CD: Shinedown - Attention, Attention -
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