10 Questions with ... Eric Sean

NAME:'Eric Sean' Casucci POSITION:Operations Manager/ Program Director/Mornings STATION:KISV (Hot 94.1) & KEBT (96.9 The Beat) MARKET:Bakersfield, CA COMPANY:American General Media BORN:Through artificial insemination in POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. RAISED:Modesto, CA

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started in 1995, with college radio (KUOP/STOCKTON, CA.)
Overnights (KWNN-KWIN/STOCKTON, CA.)
Nights (KHTN/MERCED-MODESTO, CA.)
Afternoons (KWNN-KWIN/STOCKTON, CA.)
Nights (KBOS/FRESNO, CA.)
I was the MC/Host for E-40 tour in 2002
Nights/A.P.D. (KWYL/RENO, NV.)
Mornings/P.D/MD (KWWV/SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA.)
Middays/A.P.D/M.D (KDAY/LOS ANGELES, CA.)
Afternoons/P.D/M.D (KPAT/SANTA MARIA, CA.)
currently Mornings/O.M/P.D (KISV & KEBT/BAKERSFIELD, CA.)

1. You are the OM at KISV and OM/PD/Mornings at KEBT? How has your programming experience best served you in programming a Rhythmic Oldies station?

Well I have always been a HUGE music fan, I have 2 older brothers that made me a fan of their era's of music, which is now what KEBT consists of. So I know the format very well, I also have a VERY Knowledgable Dj (Alex G) as my Music Director. I use my Programming experience from the rythmic format of playing hits, constantly staying busy with promotions, give aways, etc. visiting the community, active jocks, mixshows, basically everything is the same except WAAAAY more selection of music to play. This is actually my key to winning. It is how music catagories are placed to blend and have a smooth transition, this is where Alex G being a mixer comes in handy.

2. You do mornings now in addition to your OM/PD duties. Got anyadvice on budgeting your time?

Not really, I wish I had that answer to that, I've always been a over achiever, perfectionist, and a hard worker, so I can't leave the office till I feel everything is complete to my satisfaction. Which is very odd. My days usually are from 5:00 A.M. To 6:00 P.M, a lot of times even later.

3. What's been your biggest thrill in Radio?

Honestly I still think it's still out there. I would use that hunger to strive for success. I always think I can learn more and do bigger and better. I have never settled.

4. Where would you like the next stop to be on your career train?

I'd like to go back to a top market, with the same freedom I have here in BAKERSFIELD, CA. I am in the perfect situation, the money can always be better, but I am in no rush to move on.

5. What has been the biggest change in programming since you started as a PD?

Probably, the fact that programming used to be the main responsibility, now companies make you hold multiple titles, making for less staff, and leaving it on you to not let station suffer. Also I remember I would beg just to do an overnight weekend shift, now these young jocks want to be instant stars and not pay dues. I did street team for 1 1/2 years before I was able to do a shift!

6. Do you work with a consultant at KISV and KEBT?

Yes, STEVE PERUN.. We first met at KWWV/SAN LUIS OBISPO. After L.A. he invited me to KPAT/SANTA MARIA, then to my current position at KISV and KEBT. He's allowed me spread my wings and prove my talents. We work well together.

7. Who do you consider to be your mentor(s)?

I have learned so much from so many people, starting from the beginning in STOCKTON with the late E-Man. He was the 1st person to give me a introduction to radio, RJ REED, JON "WHATTA GUY" CHRISTIAN, PETE JONES, E. CURTIS JOHNSON, CAGLE, THE BAKA BOYZ & STEVE PERUN.

8. How can record companies work better with stations and programmers?

I think the record industry is in a very bad place. My blood is starting to boil with this subject. Haha, J REED, BIG BEAR and I talk about this ALL the time. Labels are pressuring us to give them spins, spins, spins that the focus on building an artist has been damaged. Programmers have at least six to seven labels pushing three to four records, sometimes more! They force them on us expecting us to play everything, forgetting we have a formula to rotating records, even if it's for minimal spins, which takes away from building a connection to the audience.

I feel after at least 100 spins with a strong play you should know if audience likes record or not. If the hundred spins were from spikes or mixshow play, its not really familiar. I hate hearing "play this record because they are a huge artist", that doesn't mean it's a hit! Also a lot of records get passed because they don't build an artist properly, such as building a promotion around them, bringing the artist to the market to connect, artist drops, video while song is going for adds, not when it goes top 10 on charts. Or when they say, "The record is top 20, why aren't you playing it?" It could be a regional record. I don't base what I play on other markets all the time but, I would like my listeners to be familiar with the record in case they go out of town to surrounding markets and not feel like we are totally different.

They need to come up with new ways to get the new artists familiar, why should I play a song that no one knows anything about when the competition can be playing a familiar hit. I have a "ericism" for you, if you are hungry and you see MCDONALDS and a restaurant called, lets say BOB'S BURGER, where are you going to eat? Okay same with radio... People want something familiar, whether they see the video, met the artist, they've seen them perform in your market, heard them doing at least call-ins, see them on your Web site, something. I have to take my hat off to CAPITOL for what they did with MIMS. Market visits are SO Important, Also go to at least 5 station Web sites, you will see his video with the station logo on intro, very smart. MC Magic is another example, he comes to our market ALL the time and our listeners love the fact that they feel a bond with him His records work faster than artists that have gone platinum. I could go on and on.

9. What's your favorite song that your not playing on KISV?

Actually, the Rhythmic format is morphing with more of a mainstream appeal. I really like it. I am feeling GYM CLASS HEROES, and AMY WINEHOUSE. And we are playing them. Because I have two stations, there's not too much that I don't play. Other than my favorite group of all time PORTISHEAD.

10. If you were to leave Radio today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be?

I would put full focus on my record label I have started, and go on road with my artist FLAWLESS, who actually is my night guy on KISV. Check my myspace he is in my top 8 http://www.myspace.com/iamericsean.

Bonus: You are chosen to go on CBS TV's THE AMAZING RACE but you have to pick a partner. That partner has to be a record company promotion executive. Who would you choose?

I'd have to go with RICK SACKHEIM. Supposedly he's athletic, plus he can fit NOAH SHEER in his pocket...literally, so he can hide him till we need a secret weapon. Second choice would be P.B.D, PRETTY BOY DONTAY. Oh, that's right, you know him as DONTAY THOMPSON now.