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Best of 10 Questions... Triple-A
December 14, 2021
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This week, we look back at 2021 with the best answers to some of our best questions.
Jave Patterson
OM
KTHX/Reno (2/1/2021)
“Today, listeners have the choice to visit radio, streaming services or make their own mix in a matter of minutes. My goal has been to champion the new music we expose with information on what makes the artist important to pay attention to. The biggest challenge is to keep the sense of uniqueness while still being familiar and accessible to the cume.”Stacy Owen
PD
WFPK/Louisville (2/11/2021)
“We're always trying new ways to engage and educate our listeners -- not just during fund drives, but all year round. The sustainer program has worked incredibly well for us -- 68% of our members give ongoing monthly contributions, and their memberships automatically renew every year!Lesley James
Co-Director/Radio & Streaming
Hazel Street Records (2/15/2021)
“Let’s be honest, we are told ‘no’ a lot, but the small victories are the best! Also, building new relationships with programmers across the country. I can’t wait to get on the road again and meet some of these wonderful folks in-person!”Paul Marszalek
Paul Marszalek Worldwide (3/1/2021)
“There are increasingly few places where radio talent can develop, and that is a concern to me, and should be for the industry. There aren’t many bodies in small markets, and the pay is horrible, so you must worry at least a bit about the talent pipeline.”Aleah Vose
MD
KCLC (89.1 The Wood)/St. Louis (3/15/2021)
“I believe that radio is more important right now than ever before because it is one thing that has stayed constant throughout these uncertain times. Radio would not be postponed or taken away due to the pandemic. I think people are really finding comfort in radio now, so I feel like my position has had more of an impact on people.”Roy Prescott
PD/MD
WMWV/Conway, NH (4/12/2021)
“I am very active and see many listeners when out and about. They are not bashful about telling you what they like or do not like about WMWV. I really enjoy that. Being in the Mount Washington Valley of New Hampshire, people come from around the world to visit. They fall in love with the area and the station.”Dan Reed
OM/MD
WXPN/Philadelphia (4/26/2021)
“You know, we had to do something. We all miss Rita very, very much, and I think we have a great salute to her and her contribution to the NON-COMMvention this year when we announce our first recipient of the ‘Rita Houston Spirit of NON-COMM Award.’”Whitley Albury
MD
WOXL-HD2 (98.1 The River)/Asheville, NC (5/10/2021)
“I was OBSESSED with Batman as a kid (I mean, I’m still a comic book nerd), and I finally got to meet the OG Batman, Adam West, a few months before he passed away.”Jennifer Daunt
Dauntless Promotion (5/24/2021)
“My kids are starting middle school in the fall. They’re very aware of the politics of the time and have gone on a few marches with us. They’re on their own path of self-discovery we’re trying to understand, but, wow, even I got old and find myself reiterating my parents’ concerns.”Jamie Canfield
OM/PD
KDPI/Ketchum, ID (6/7/2021)
“In my thirty years in radio, I found one thing to be true -- radio owners are absolutely bat-sh*t crazy. Working with volunteers who I get to train and pass on my knowledge to is amazing. You get to give them what they need and let them have fun.”Dave Benson
TheJazzStation/365.com (6/14/2021)
“Honestly, I didn’t have a problem disconnecting from the format or the industry. The harder adjustment was the personal -- “Who am I if I’m not completely immersed in my work?”Chase Daniels
OM
WMMM (Triple M)/Madison, WI (6/28/2021)
“Some people get into radio to be … well … on the radio. I got into radio because I loved figuring out clocks. Weird, right? At 12 years old I knew when a personality was supposed to do a talk break but jingled instead. This is the sickness I call “OCD programming.”Honey Harris
Morning Show Host
KBAC/Santa Fe (7/12/2021)
“I used to sleep with a tiny transistor radio under my pillow at night when I was five years old in Alabama where, at night, I could hear WLS in Chicago. The Beatles had just arrived in America, and I was hooked.”Joan Holiday
PD
WRSI/Northampton, MA (7/19/2021)
“Because of the pandemic, we’re even MORE aware of our role in this vibrant community, and the responsibility we have for bringing people together, whether physically or just emotionally. We’ve reassessed what we do that is truly important and tweaked the things that might have needed it.”Tyler Freese
Head of Radio Promotion Mute (7/26/2021)
“You can only convey so much to someone on the phone, or via email about an artist, but when you start to see people beginning to appreciate something that you also appreciate, it’s very special”Aja Whitney
Music & Booking Direction WDST/Woodstock (8/2/2021)
“Radio Woodstock has no gender boundaries when it comes to the music -- if it sounds good then we’re going to play it. It feels right to be a woman in music supporting and empowering other women in music.”Monte Belmonte
Morning Show Host WRSI/Northampton, MA (8/9/2021)
“When I tell people I was a theology major, went to India, met Mother Teresa, lived in Jerusalem, but now I’m a devout agnostic that hosts a morning radio show, that usually surprises them.”Greg Glover
Host
The Bottom Forty Podcast (8/16/2021)
“These days I just take it one day at a time. Alive and happy is good enough for me.”Jordan Coppinger
APD
WOXL-HD2 (98.1 The River)/Asheville, NC (8/30/2021)
“Communications Major at University of Hartford to a dancing mascot in promotions, to office receptionist, to on-air and music director – I’ve done it ALL!”Graeme Bentley
MD
WXRV (92.5 The River)/Boston (9/7/2021)
“Keeping our audience engaged is so important as an independent station. This extends beyond just making sure our music selection is enticing and relevant. It also means reporting on our community, hosting events, and attending shows.”Laura Smiley
Sales Director/On Air Host
WAPS (The Summit)/Akron-Youngstown (9/13/2021)
“First, I LOVE live music, but what I love more is watching other people LOVE live music! Second, I love finding out what is awesome and amazing in our community and sharing that discovery with our listening audience.”Elena Sabio
MD
KCLC (89.1 The Wood)/St. Louis (9/20/2021)
“My mentors are my parents. They taught me most of the things I know about life, and they’ve been supporting me in everything I do. They always tell me to work hard in whatever I want to do and that way things will work out.”Liz Felix
PD
WYEP/Pittsburgh (9/27/2021)
“It’s hard to ignore the biggest challenge for everybody, and that’s the way that the pandemic has changed listening habits. There’s been audience loss for a lot of stations, including WYEP. I think some of it is related to a lack of events and opportunities to be seen out in the community, and some of it is related to working from home and less time spent in cars. But it’s also just a really volatile period of time for radio. We’re working on rebuilding and adjusting to this new world we’re in.”Mark Keefe
GM/PD
Charlottesville/Richmond, VA (10/11/2021)
“It’s a work in progress to be a good community servant within all the points in our listening area, but it’s difficult when you consider it can be a three-hour drive from our westernmost translator (Lexington, VA) to our easternmost (Richmond, VA).”Gene Sandbloom
OM
Alpha Media Portland, OR (10/18/2021)
“So, instead of looking to hack into the dwindling number of radio listeners, I thought if we could keep people from going to Apple Music a few times a week, that we could rebuild the station. And radio by extension.”Tarik Moody
PD
WYMS (Radio Milwaukee) Urban Alternative/Milwaukee (11/1/2021)
“Created over 15 years ago, Rhythm Lab Radio is a program that redefines the urban sound. The show features a variety of genres from hip hop to jazz to soul to electronic. I play a lot of new artists, but also highlight legends like John Coltrane, Patrice Rushen, Carl Craig, and others. This will be template for our new Urban Alternative channel.”Jason Moon Wilkins
PD
WNXP (The Nashville Experience)/Nashville (11/22/2021)
“As a public station, it’s important to reflect your community and that starts with the staff who then inform all the creative choices we make which, hopefully, makes the station more reflective and inclusive.”Lynn McDonnell
Triple A Editor
All Access (12/6/2021)
“Although a job in the music industry is immensely fun and rewarding, it’s not your identity. So, my advice is to show up at 100% everyday, have fun, mentor people on your team, build relationships and be authentically YOU.” -
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