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10 Questions with ... Eric Holland
May 13, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. Public radio, like commercial radio, faces aging audiences. In the long term, we need younger generations who didn't necessarily grow up with radio to embrace the medium. The best way any radio station can attract listeners across demographic groups is by doing the things radio does best: being local, being up-to-the-minute timely and topical, and being spontaneous -- the things that streaming services and podcasts don't do well
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I have been a radio DJ for three decades and can currently be heard on Triple A WFUV. Prior to moving to New York in 2007, I co-hosted a bilingual radio show in Tokyo, programmed a Classic Rock station in Honolulu, and did on-air stints at WZLX and WBOS in Boston. My experience includes five years as music reporter for NY1-TV, an appearance on Speakeasy-TV interviewing Billy Gibbons, and two years as a DJ at New York Rangers home games at Madison Square Garden.
I have taught classes on music and broadcasting at Emerson College and Fordham Univ. and curate my own website at Hollandude.com. I studied Television/Radio at Ithaca College and earned a Master of Media Arts from Emerson College.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I grew up listening to stations like WBCN, WFNX, WAAF and WERS in Boston and was so hooked.
2. You must be excited to take on a more substantial role at WFUV. Tell us about that.
This station is so cool that I've been hanging around (doing fill-in air work and interviews) for a decade without a real job - kind of like Kramer was working at a company for a while in a Seinfeld episode even though no one hired him. There's a lot of talented people here so it took that long to get an opportunity like this.
3. Are you going to continue with any of your "extracurricular" activities?
I just wrapped up teaching a class that WFUV's afternoon host Dennis Elsas began years ago called The Rock Revolution in Music and Media. I'm glad to be able to focus completely on the new gig for a while.
4. What new artists are you most excited about?
I'm knocked out by what I've heard so far from Black Pumas and Devon Gilfillian. I'm enjoying the Jade Bird album.
5. You once taught at Emerson College and that school has great track record of preparing folks to get into radio. Can you give us any insight into that process?
Emerson is all about learning by doing, as there's no substitute for experience. Exploring a handful of roles is rewarding in addition to piling up hours doing what you hope to do.
6. With that in mind, what is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
Beyond attempting to benefit from the experience of others, I think trying to view situations from others' perspectives is useful. Programmers and promotion people will benefit from considering how air-staff, audience, and advertisers or underwriters might react to a campaign or on-air element.
7. What do you like best about working at a Triple A station?
Triple A retains some of the best instincts of free-form FM Rock stations and AORs. It's that spirit of adventurousness, along with a matter of fact presentation without hype that appeals to me.
8. How much music overlap is there in the market?
We share some bands and audience with an Entercom commercial Alternative Rocker and a commercial Triple A in Westchester County.
9. What do you view as the most important issue facing public radio today?
Public radio, like commercial radio, faces aging audiences. In the long term, we need younger generations who didn't necessarily grow up with radio to embrace the medium. The best way any radio station can attract listeners across demographic groups is by doing the things radio does best: being local, being up-to-the-minute timely and topical, and being spontaneous -- the things that streaming services and podcasts don't do well.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ...
... Baileys in my coffee!
Bonus Questions
Last non-industry job:
Music reporter for NY1-TV (or if that's industry, ESL Teacher)
First record ever purchased:
I had a copy of Rock n Roll Letter by Bay City Rollers, but I don't remember buying it ... First one I remember buying was Led Zeppelin 4.
First concert:
Aerosmith, Back in the Saddle Tour 1984
Favorite band of all-time:
Jimi Hendrix Experience
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
I like a good bicycle ride and relaxing with crossword puzzles.
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