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10 Questions with ... Greg Williams
October 3, 2006
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NAME:Greg WilliamsPOSITION:PDSTATION:KDGSMARKET:WichitaCOMPANY:EntercomBORN:Chickasha, OklahomaRAISED:Wichita, Kansas
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I began my career at KLEO-A/Wichita (Top 40), KEYN-FM-Wichita (Top 40), KCBQ/San Diego (Country), KKRD/Wichita (Top 40), KDGS/Wichita, KFBZ-FM (Wichita). I was a public service director at two different radio stations. I was also a music director at KKRD for 12 years, and I have been PD at KDGS and KFBZ in Wichita. I have programmed KDGS since June of 2000, and I programmed KFBZ from October 2000 to January 2001. I also worked briefly in television as a weekend sports anchor/reporter on the local FOX/NBC affiliate. Additionally, I have been very active in my community serving on several board of directors for homeless shelters, anti-drugs for kids, S.A.D.D., and Urban Professionals of Wichita.
1. What's your favorite aspect of being a PD?
I love waking up everyday and competing. The passion I have for my job is endless. I believe in doing whatever it takes to get the job done. I have a Vince Lombardi quote that I have on every single e-mail I send out...."Winning is not a sometime thing: it's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do the right thing once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing." I love strategically placing my brand to be in a position to win. This comes from doing creative and fun promotions, working for a great company, and most importantly, having a strong team that possesses and embodies your passion.
2. Think back to your first days as a PD.what sticks out in your mind about those days?
When I took this job every one told me that I was nuts! I was told a number of reasons why this brand on this frequency could not win in the Wichita market. I knew better. My biggest early challenge was staffing the station, because with the ownership change I made a decision that we needed a new team. I had to hire and put that team in place inside of two weeks! With a new staff, and new owners I was also challenged with changing the attitude and educating my sales staff about our brand. I knew that we not only had to have ratings success but we also needed to have monetary success. Inside of six months we over took our competition. We did this with a limited stick, no external marketing, a syndicated morning show, and a whole lot of hard work! During that first year my company asked me to take on additional programming duties by being the PD of our 80's station. All of this and I was also doing an air shift. You know what's really sick? I loved every single minute of it!
3. You can choose ANY singer/group/band to entertain guests at your wedding or birthday party. The only stipulation is they CAN NOT do any of their own material and you get to pick the set list. Who do you choose?
The Eagles
4. You have a young daughter. Ever get conflicted about the content of a song on the station and what your daughter is listening to?
I take great pride in being a responsible broadcaster. Often I will go further than the radio edits. Elroy Smith at WGCI taught me this, and I have never forgotten it. As programmers we must set the limits of what we can and cannot get away with in our respective markets.
5. What advice would you give someone trying to get their start in radio?
That's a great question. We are in dire need of hungry young hearts who will do whatever it takes to grow and develop into complete air talents. My advice is simple. Listen and you will learn. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Humble yourself. You want to be a star, but allow yourself to seek the knowledge that will allow you to be there. Understand that in today's broadcast landscape you must be able to multi-task. Be a complete talent who is not only outstanding on the air, but one who possesses additional abilities. Learn production inside and out and make sure Cool Edit Pro is your best friend. Be street-able, we are out in the forefront of the public so much, be conscious of how you want your public image to be projected. Always allow yourself to be coached. Even now, I continue to be coached, and I have been doing this a long time!
6. You recently revamped your morning show. How's it sounding?
I am very pleased with our new show. It was time to take the show in a new direction. I found LUCAS in Fresno. He is an outstanding, passionate, and willing to do whatever it takes to win talent. He brings a fresh young sound to the show and he works his ass off. He is without a doubt one of the best hires I have ever made. HAILEY is true radio neophyte who less than a year ago expressed a burning desire to be in radio. She is a college graduate who could have done just about anything she wanted. She started working weekends and she was in my office every day asking questions, taking notes, and getting better and better everyday. I am extremely proud of her because she has been my little project that has evolved into a truly outstanding air talent who in my mind will be a huge superstar in our industry. I am still on the show and the response has been huge. I will put it this way, there have been no complaints!
7. What is the most common thing that holds back an air personality from advancing in the business?
I would say making smart choices and being patient. A lot of talent is consumed with market size. The size of the market is not the most important thing. What is important is what you learn and how it makes you better. Also there are few good broadcast companies out there. Often, too many talented people in our industry are compromised by getting involved in bad situations. As a result, one bad move may sidetrack your career longer than you think. Finally, leave ego out of it. But make sure it is a healthy one.
8. You've been a fixture in WICHITA radio for many years. Ever think about leaving?
I have learned in radio that you never say "never".
9. You're very passionate about music. What's your favorite song that you aren't or can't play at POWER 93.9.
Anything by Michael Buble
10. Why should someone put down their iPOD, log off of MySpace, cancel their XM/Sirius subscription and turn on POWER 93.9?
My station is local, fun, entertaining, and we give away a TON of cool stuff! The iPod is cool but it lacks the entertaining interaction that my brand offers. MySpace is cool...but you can always turn on the radio while you hang out on my space! XM/Sirius may offer brand diversity that we don't offer, but they won't have the latest concert information and the lowdown on all the big events happening in my listener's hometown! They won't ever show up at an area high school football game and put my listeners on their air! So they may offer a break from all this energetic, fun, exciting, and entertaining radio...and besides I guarantee that every song, every time will be a hit. Packaged and surrounded by really cool imaging. Not to mention we have a station Web site that gets over 1 million hits a month. Who would not want to listen to this?
Bonus Questions
1) DJ Fill-In-The Blank moves to Wichita from say.the East Coast. What will probably surprise him the most about the market and the area?
The cost of living. Wichita is about 10% cheaper to live here compared to anywhere else in the country. Gas prices in Wichita today are $1.97 a gallon! The city is clean, friendly, and offers great diversity and civic entertainment. After all the Rolling Stones just played a concert here and over 31,000 people showed up! My station has presented two out of the top five concerts in the history of the area where over 10,000 people rocked the house! Hip hop lives in Wichita.
2) What do you do to relax?
I love to read! Anything that is non-fiction, biographies, auto biographies, etc. I am a history nut. I don't read anything fiction! I love to go to museums, I love to play golf...even though I am not that good at it. I really love a great bottle of wine, I love to watch sports, I love a great movie, I love my dog, I love my daughter, I love family, and most importantly I love my beautiful and supportive wife, Brianne. I am blessed.
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