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10 Questions with ... Geno Pearson
August 7, 2023
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- KHMX/Houston, MD 1989-1991
- KTBZ/Houston, on-air personality 1996-1997
- KNRX-Oklahoma City, MD/on-air 1997-1999
- The Point/Greensboro, NC-APD/on-air 1999-2000
- WEND/Charlotte, on-air 2000
- WWRS/Birmingham, PD-2001-2002
- WRAX-Birmingham, on-air 2002-2006
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I was always a music geek growing up. Listening to the radio in my room late at night, seeing what stations I could pick up from around the country. I would make up my own radio charts when I was fourteen. I still have them to this day. When I was in college my major was Computer Science. Then I saw you could get a degree in Radio & TV, and I was sold and switched my major.
2.You've been at BMR for 13 years. How has the station changed since you have been there?
We have evolved musically like the format has in the past 13 years. We were more singer songwriter back when we started. When we started the station. I wouldn't have thought that artists like Arlo Parks (I know she wasn't around), Queens of the Stone Age, or the Yeah Yeah Yeah's would be a success on our station.
3. How would you describe the music on the station?
We are a Triple A that has an Indie/Alternative lean to it. We love to take chances on new bands and songs. We also do the singer/songwriter side, too. But we definitely have an Indie Rock lean to it. We run around sixty currents a week with a max spin of around 20-22. Our gold is primarily Alternative based, since WRAX was a mainstay in this town for nearly a decade. We have an "oh wow" category where we get a great reaction from our listeners. That category has around five hundred songs in it. You can hear Lovely Day by Bill Withers, 6 Underground by Sneaker Pimps, 74-75 by The Connells or Emotional Rescue by the Rolling Stones.
4. The station just celebrated 10 Years on the air as an FM, previously as internet only. Tell us about your ratings?
For a 99-watt radio station we pull near a 1.0 12 plus and 3.8 25-54 which puts us 10th in the marker. We only show up in two of the nine county metro so we will take that.
5. Tell us about how you support local music.
We have a local music show called the local mash. It airs Sunday from 7-9p. We also support local music the best we can in regular rotation too, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Alabama Shakes, The Brummies, The Brook, and The Bluff all got their start on BMR.
Currently we have local artists Lily Hart, The Blips, Carver Commodore, and The Brummies all in active current rotation.
6. What are your favorites sessions that the station has done?
We just had Milky Chance in, and they performed a great session. We have had Fred Armisen in a couple of times and is always great. We also have a show called the "She Show" where artists co-host with Dru Cunningham and they play an hours' worth of music by female artists that has influenced them. It does not matter the format, Dru has had Brandi Carlile, St. Vincent, Jenny Lewis, Arlo Parks, Wet Leg, and Sameer from Young The Giant to name a few on the show.
7. What are some of your career highlights?
Getting my first MD gig under Guy Zapoleon back in 1989 at Mix 96.5 in Houston. Being new to the industry and not knowing who Guy was looking back, I was extremely fortunate to work with Guy and learned so many things that I have used throughout my career. Now running a successful radio station that came out of an idea over drinks at a bar in 2010.
8. Who were your mentors along the way?
As previously mentioned, Guy Zapoleon and the late Tim Davis at Jacobs Media that knew my passion for Alternative music and helped me turn that into a successful career.
9. What would surprise people most about you?
That I am the PA announcer and DJ for our USL soccer team the Bham Legion and also the DJ for our G League basketball team Birmingham Squadron.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ...
... either an Alani Nu or Celsius energy drink.
Bonus Questions
Last non-industry job:
The always popular waiter in college.
First record ever purchased:
Elton John, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
First concert:
Elton John in 1976. I was ten and some guy tried to pass me a joint! I was with my mom. Come on, dude!
Favorite band of all-time:
Kraftwerk.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
Spending time with my family. My son is off to college in 2 weeks, so I am trying to get as much quality time before he leaves.
What will you miss most about All Access?
All the updates on what is going on in our industry and job postings. All of my jobs that I found since you folks started were found on All Access. I really don't think I would be where I am today if you weren't around letting everyone know about what is going on in the radio and record industry.
What advice do you have for me while I am "on the beach?"
Enjoy the time you can spend with your family and friends. Get out and enjoy the world because you will be back in the grind in no time.
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