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10 Questions with ... Joseph Fritz
November 9, 2015
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1. How did you become interested in radio?
I first became interested when I was a sophomore in high school and joined the Speech and Debate team. There was a category at competition called radio where you had to do a newscast, weather, a creative commercial and sports. I enjoyed it so when I heard my university had its own station, I went to check it out and never left.
2. Who are your mentors?
My mentors are Marshall McLuhan, my grandfather Arnold Fritz and a local DJ Donnie Fandango. Marshall is the perfect example of how to look at and analyze media outside of the box; any time there is change to the station we try to adapt it with his most famous quote, "the medium is the message." My grandfather always taught me hard work, ambition and sincerity goes a long way. Donnie Fandango is a local DJ at a commercial station that has given me countless advice on how to be successful in the St. Louis Market and how to run a good station.
3. How would you describe the music on the station?
Our music is a blend of standard Triple A tunes with new up-and-coming artists and, of course, the core artist of Triple A. We generally lean more Alternative in our selection to reach a younger demographic and to compete with another station in town. It's difficult to describe the music; most of the time it's a feeling you get when you hear the right song that you know will work for your station.
4. How are the music meetings conducted at KCLC?
At KCLC, our music meetings are fairly casual. My PD and two assistants sit in our conference room and we all listen to the music I have narrowed down and we give it a yay or nay.
5. What is your biggest challenge at the station?
Our biggest challenge is we are a teaching station at a university so our primary focus is on training the students to be the best that they can be. The challenge is operating as a professional station but making sure we keep the balance with the education aspect of it.
6. Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?
I am a huge fan of Alternative music. Being a college student in my '20s, Alternative music really speaks to myself and my generation. It's amazing what an effect music has on people and I feel Alternative music can really bring people together to meet other awesome people.
7. What would surprise people most about the station?
We are one of a few "college" stations that stick to a single format, have reporting status and have a 50,000-watt signal. Operating as a professional station most listeners are surprised that we are only a college station designed to teach students.
8. What is the best advice you have been given? The worst?
The best advice I have ever been given has been from my music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha, one of the primary objectives is to not be a manly musician but a musicianly man. This statement basically means to be a gentlemen and spread the beauty of music to the world. I'm not the greatest artist so being able to make people happy with the music I play at the station is the next best thing.
Worst advice I have ever received has probably been to take degree-related classes early then general education classes. Worst advice ever.
9. Where do you see yourself in five years?
I'm two semesters away from graduating with my Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Broadcast, so in five years I could be anywhere doing anything. As long as I am healthy, happy and employed or working on a graduate degree I will be content.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ...
... Music.
Bonus Questions
Last non-industry job:
General Service Member at Smashburger
First record ever purchased:
Big and Rich, Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
First concert:
Fall Out Boy
Favorite band of all-time:
Johnny Cash, always my #1 favorite
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work and school?
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and fraternity brothers. Going into downtown St. Louis and exploring the different museums and attractions is always a great way to spend a day off. I also enjoy helping my grandmother out on her farm in Northeast Missouri and fishing.
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