10 Questions with ... Joe Stutler

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Been in radio for 20 years ... learned more in the last 10 than the first. I have had the chance to work with some amazing talent who were willing to help, teach, understand and inspire

1. How did you become interested in radio?

Growing up in Chicago, you had so many amazing jocks that it was hard to say no to something that seemed to always be fun and different each day. Larry Lujack, Johnny B ... too many to name.

2. You have been in the Knoxville market a long time - tell us how it's changed and/or stayed the same.

I have been in Knoxville for 10 years and you can see a lot of changes. We have a lot of people moving here, so in many ways it has changed the overall landscape for listeners. Long ago we had both kinds of music -- Country and Western -- but now you are finding more people looking for other choices to keep up with their personal tastes.

3. Tell us about the adjustments you made to the station when you took over as PD.

It was kind of like baking a cake backwards: We took every aspect of the music and changed it. We were going to the east and now we are going west. I just felt like the station needed to do what I believed it could.

4. How would you describe the music on the station?

Constantly evolving. Listeners are smarter, faster and more involved than ever ...and I am trying to keep I105 interesting to listen to. Sure, you hear the old, but you a lot hear a lot more new.

5. How do you treat your nights differently than during the day?

At night I decided to change it completely. Think about your average listener -- mom and dad working two jobs, kids, school, homework ... way too many distractions -- so I decided to change our weeknight programming to "Americana Nights." The idea was to give people a reason to listen. It is a different sound than the rest of the day, but still holds a recognizable aspect that works really well. This isn't your normal "Americana," but more of a tool for me to use for songs/artists that I am on the fence about. Cullen (the host) and I work very well together in movement, interest or responses to all of these songs.

6. What is your biggest challenge at the station?

Finding creative ways (free) to get your station to people who don't know you are here.

7. If you could add any one full-time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?

Probably a Music Director; someone that I could trust to do things the way that I think. You just have such a huge time crunch all day; finding time to listen to all the music and answer or return every phone call is hard when I'm on the air as much as I am. A Music Director would be nice.

8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Change is inevitable, so learn to adapt or move on.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ____?

A large quantity of coffee!

10. If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?

Maybe politics. If you think about it, PDs are not that far off; they've got to answer to the owner; justify this or that to the GM; convince the rest of the staff that everything is fine; and tell your listeners that nothing has changed. Watch out, Obama, here I come!

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?

What's that?

Last non-industry job:

Maybe we shouldn't talk about that

First record ever purchased:

Journey ... REO ... Cheap Trick

First concert:

Steve Miller

Favorite band of all-time:

Dave Matthews