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10 Questions with ... J.B. King
January 29, 2008
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NAME:J.B. KingPOSITION:APD/MD/afternoonsSTATION:KLUCMARKET:Las VegasCOMPANY:CBS RadioBORN:San Francisco, CARAISED:Oakland, CA
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
KDVS/Davis, CA (1992), KSFM/Sacramaneto, CA (1992-1998), KLUC/Las Vegas (1998-present)
1. Where in Las Vegas does JB King relax and unwind?
Wow, in a city that is 24/7 like Las Vegas, sometimes it's hard to find time to relax, because there is ALWAYS something to do. Honestly, I go through phases, sometimes I'm a real homebody and I'm very content on doing home improvement projects. Other times it's softball (BTW, our team just won our league and tournament), I'm kind of a movie junky....but I hate to admit, like many in the business, my biggest hobby is RADIO!
2. What got you interested in Radio?
I've always loved listening to the radio, and have always been a fan to Top40. I remember growing up listening to "The BIG 6-10 KFRC" when they were top 40 and having those blue and white stickers on my school binder. Then when KMEL went Top 40 and became the first real Top40/Rhy....WOW....what a great station. I remember my high school, Skyline in Oakland, won the first, KMEL High School Scavenger Hunt, and we won a free concert by "The Boyz" in the high school gym.....you know 'Dial My Heart'.....Cameron Paul was in the mix, it was great. But, it wasn't until college that I realized I wanted to be on the air and make radio my career. It's a funny story, my neighbor, freshman year at U.C. Davis, was interning and dating Ricky Leigh at KSFM, I expressed interest, she told me who to call, and within a few months I was interning, which led to part-time, fulltime, AMD, etc.
3. What's the biggest misconception about Las Vegas?
It's got to be the 2 1/2 miles from the Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere. So many people think that "IS" Las Vegas.....WRONG. We have some of the greatest communities in the country, incredible greenbelts, National Parks, restaurants (not on the strip), and incredible people.
Oh yeah, one last thing.........one huge misconception, is.....if you think you're cool when you come to Las Vegas, by saying, "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas" or screaming, "Vegas Baby".....locals look at you like you're a TARD!!!!
4. If you could trade places with one person in the world who would it be?
This one is tough to answer. Definitely, someone who has money, so that it's not a concern anymore, maybe someone in Hollywood? Lately, I've been doing some script writing, so, maybe someone with endless income, who could spend the days writing scripts. But other then that, I'm pretty happy with my life and what I've got going right now
5. What would you change about Las Vegas?
Honestly, Vegas is growing so fast, with all the new condo projects and mega-casinos, I kind of wish that after they are done with current projects, they would ban all building for a few years, so we could enjoy the skyline/view of the Strip without the distraction of construction cranes everywhere. Also, I wish Arbitron would properly sample the market. We just passed 2 million in population, and they still send out as many diaries as they did back in 1998, when the market was just over 1 million.
6. A lot of work goes into www.kluc.com. How much time do you spend on-air talking about the site?
Nothing is set, but it is increasing more and more everyday. We have incorporated not only live mentions, but also through our imaging. We are about to launch a new site, more interactive with our audience, more unique programming, video streaming, better music research, requests, etc.
7. Who do you consider to be your mentor(s)?
There are so many......I try and learn something from everyone I interact with, other PD's or MD's.....maybe a consultant, even some part-timers have made me think. But, I learned a ton when I was at KSFM, working for and with: Chuck Field, Rick Thomas, Bob West, Dr. Dave Ferguson, Ebro, Trejo, Tony Cox, John E. Kage, and now in Las Vegas.......of course, Cat Thomas, he's probably one of the smartest guys I know, in and out of the business, GM, Marty Basch, and the entire team here. We have a staff with tons of radio experience, who I learn from everyday.
8. You grew up in the Bay Area...ever think about going back there to work?
Even though Las Vegas is my home, and I love it here.......YES, getting a chance to move back to the Bay and work would be great. All of my family is there.....But......it really would have to be an ideal situation. What I have going on right now at KLUC and the quality of life in Las Vegas, is really hard to match.....in any city.
9. If you were planning a bachelor party for yourself...where in Las Vegas would you have it?
HAHAHAHAHA.....Let's keep this safe, golf, great food, drinks, good friends......OK, maybe, golf during the day, a mansion party catered by NOBU, tons of drinks and a few of LV's finest from the Rhino......Who's in???????
10. Pick a presidential candidate to hang out on your show for an afternoon?
I would love to talk with any candidate about change, but do it in a rapid fire kind of way, so I wouldn't get the typical prepared answers. Quick, first thing to come to mind kind of interview. But......on the other hand.....with the equal time regulations.....I choose none of them.
Bonus Questions
What can Radio do better to serve today's potential radio audience?
Even though the need to keep up with technology is crucial, in my opinion, there is still one constant. No matter how much we incorporate online listening with unique programming, set up HD, or prep for a PPM world, the most important way to serve our listeners, continues to be CONTENT. If your listeners do not like your station, they won't check out your web site or believe in the brand you are trying to develop. For example, over the holidays, I was able to listen to a station that I had always felt was incredible......the music was always perfect, a great morning show, incredible jocks who lived the lifestyle, creative imaging......everything on the air oozed fun, party listener lifestyle. Now, even though the music continues to be great, everything else sounded......generic, the fun was gone, the entertainment gone, the content gone. Remember, there is a way to do both, and many stations do a great job. We MUST find a way, in this time, where technology is constantly growing by leaps and bounds every year, not to lose the integrity of our content.
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