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10 Questions with ... Andre de Channes
September 22, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- Grove School Of Music, Los Angeles
- A&M Records Publicity Dept., Los Angeles, Maintained/Updated promotions database
- Mitsubishi Pro Audio - Engineer, Recording Console Division
- IT Professional
- Wine Country Radio - 2001 (KRSH, KSXY, KNOB, KXTS)
- KRSH - weekly specialty segment - 2003
- Overnights, KRSH - 2004
- Weekends, KRSH - 2006 - 2012
- Thursday Night Live, Specialty show on KRSH with live bands, had over 200 bands on the show
- KNOB PD
- KSXY-HD2 PD
- KRSH PD
1. How did you become interested in radio?
Since I was a kid in Montreal; there's a station called CHOM, and my friend's dad worked there and I always thought how cool it would be to work at a radio station. I was always into playing music from a very early age, and gravitated towards things that involved the music industry in some way.
2. How long have you been at KRSH?
I started at Wine Country Radio in 2001.
3. In what ways has your job changed over the past year or so?
Becoming PD and totally revamping our sound.
4. With recent tweaks, how would now you describe the music on the station?
KRSH is a roots-based Triple A station. We lean towards Americana, Blues, New Grass, Rock, deep cuts. There are many new artists in all those areas, and we're glad to play them. In the evenings, we have more of an edge.
We've really been focusing on what our listeners want, not just what "everyone else" is playing. We have monthly focus groups with our listeners and ask them about specific songs (which we listen to there), and about the station overall. We've been getting great feedback and acting on it.
The demographic that listens to KRSH tends to be 35+, educated and affluent. They do not want loads of repetition. They want to hear new artists, deeper cuts from familiar artists, songs that have substance. They trust us to make that happen. KRSH listeners are into local in a big way, and we are very involved in our local community. The advantage about being so locally focused is that when local businesses advertise with us, they get results. It also helps make our community a better place (we live here too).
5. How do you conduct your music meetings?
I'm lucky to have a great group of people that I work with -- lots of experience! It's kind of a two-tiered process: I'll filter through what seems right for us and I might go ahead and add some songs I think will work, but I also I put aside songs to be discussed in our music meeting. We have music meetings once a week, discuss what's new, anyone can bring in new music they like, we take a listen and decide what works.
6. What new bands are you most excited about?
There is so much good new music out there, it's mind boggling (you should see the stack of CDs I've listened to in my office). I don't know that I want to pigeonhole myself by naming specific bands; I just want to say that there is diversity of music out there that is blurring the lines of Triple A. I also think that the artists being able to record a quality album or song for a small budget has really changed the recording industry, and by de facto, our industry. Lots more music to sift through! You don't really see the band development thing anymore; bands just sort of get thrown into the fray and then sink or swim -- the next best thing, or belly up. It is a much tougher environment for the artists and the labels.
7. What are some of your biggest challenges as an independent station?
It's more of an advantage than a challenge to be an independent station. We're self-contained, decisions about the station don't come from afar and we're very involved in our local community.
8. What are some the annual events the station does?
Every summer we have a series of seven or eight "Backyard Concerts," held right here at the station. Our backyard can hold about 400 people. We get some of the best national and local bands around. We even have major artists asking us the year before if they can be a part of it.
9. If you could add any one full-time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?
I'd clone myself ... so much to do, so little time. Actually, we have a great staff and our GM makes sure we have all we need. Maybe a masseur for all our staff?
10. If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?
Not sure, but it would be music-related.
Bonus Questions
Last non-industry job:
IT professional
First record ever purchased:
Abbey Road (my mom bought it for me by request).
First concert:
BTO (in Montreal)
Favorite band of all-time:
Depends on the day ... I have many favorite bands.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
I enjoy being with my family, and playing music with my friends.
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