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10 Questions with ... Kannon
September 12, 2006
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NAME:KannonPOSITION:Afternoon Drive/APDSTATION:Wired 96.5 WRDWMARKET:PhiladelphiaCOMPANY:Beasley BroadcastingBORN:Raleigh, NCRAISED:Raleigh, NC
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WFTK-A/BUTNER, NC, WRDU/RALEIGH, NC, WJBQ/PORTLAND, MAINE, SUPERADIO NETWORKS (mix show DJ and music director), WBTS (95.5 The Beat)/ATLANTA and here at Wired!
1. What was your last non-Industry job?
SUNGLASS HUT at the mall. Having "familiar relations" with my manager and "borrowing" sunglasses was fun, but not condusive to a long-term career. Yes, my manager was a female. She was ugly, but older, so I felt cool.
2. What got you interested in Radio?
Listening to OPEN HOUSE PARTY on G105 in RALEIGH as a kid. I called JOHN GARABEDIAN on the request line and asked how to get into radio. I did takes his advice. I called every radio station in the phone book. An AM gospel station located in a trailer in BUTNER, NC happily accepted my plea. I was in.
3. The opportunity to move to CHICAGO came up. What made that gig so appealing?
CHICAGO is hands-down one of the most beautiful cities in America. The city itself really sold the gig.
4. You're staying in PHILADELPHIA at WIRED 96.5. What are a few of the goals you have for yourself and the station as 2006 begins to wind down?
I want to continue to learn how to be an effective "leader of the troops." My PD, LEO BALDWIN is a great role model when it comes to keeping the vibe fun and exciting, but with high standards of performance. I can really learn a lot about patience from him. We share an office, and truly are a 2-headed programming monster. I'd like to continue working with him, keeping WIRED, the underdog that somehow continues to win.
5. In addition to doing afternoons, you double as the APD at WIRED. If you had to make a choice between APD and afternoons, what would it be?
I believe my success on the air has come from understanding Programming philosophies, and being able to apply them on the air. Both are great fun, but the Programming side is my favorite. I like being a player and role model in the "big picture".
6. What has been the biggest surprise since coming to PHILLY and WIRED?
How accepting and loyal the PHILADELPHIA audience is. On the surface, especially coming from the South, the people can seem a little abrasive. Once you get past the outer "shell", though, and the people let you in, you're good for life. If they sense BS or fakeness, they run the other way quick and you're done.
7. Who do you consider to be your mentor(s)?
JOHN GARABEDIAN - taught me the power of exciting, compelling, listener driven radio.
LEO BALDWIN - teaches me patience and how to be an effective leader.
JERRY CLIFTON - teaches me out-of-the-box is a GREAT thing. People love to judge and ridicule when things are a little different. They are stupid people.
8. What's missing in PHILADELPHIA?
Musically, a really great Rock station. DC 101 really knows how to be a mass-appeal rock station everyone, not just obscure rock-heads can enjoy. Shouts out to my boy, RICK SCHMIDT.
9. If you were to leave Radio today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be?
I'd be an airline pilot. I love flying, and I actually went for my pilots' license when I was in high-school.
10. We know PHILADELPHIA is a sports-crazed city. What's the nightlife like?
Philly really isn't a "club" city, like New York or Atlanta. It's more bars and lounges. Hole-in-the-wall, comfortable spots. And, yeah...try wearing a Giants jersey. I'll come visit you in the hospital, and maybe even bring you a shake for your feeding tube. lol
Bonus Questions
A freak gravitational shift has added three hours to everyday. What would you do with those extra three hours?
I'd be airchecking my jocks more and doing more of my own show prep. Why is there never enough time for more show prep?
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