10 Questions with ... Oliver Jackson

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I have been involved in radio for over 32 years, I started as a street team kid back in the '80s under DJ Bam for WLOU-A out of Louisville, KY and I have not looked back. I currently oversee more than 80 privately-owned radio stations at which I control all programming and music. These are stations I have built over the years. The programs most of them run are Jazlier & Sam broadcaster, which I control through my smartphone.

1) When did you know fall in love with radio?

I caught the radio bug when I was 13 years old back in 1983-84 as a street team kid once I saw the inside of the radio station for the first time. Once I got into the military the U.S. Army, I went to advanced communication school where I learned how effective radio can be if used right. (I can't get into details based on security reasons!)

2) How did you become so involved on the technical end of this business?

Well, I have always been a hands-on, lead by example type of guy. I pride myself as a student to this very day. I'm always looking for what tech will offer tomorrow as far as communication goes. Yes, I'm a radio nerd. I find it's easier when you build a radio station from the ground up. Why? Because it makes things easier to troubleshoot when things go wrong. I say the tech pretty much came from always being a man behind the scenes, so every time there was a problem the owners were spending money that they really did not have in the budget operating cost.

3) Weren't you once a club jock too?

Everything pretty much started when I was a roadie. I had been out on tour helping to set up different acts from hip-hop to rock. The club scene played a small role; it was more so touring. When I was not DJ-ing, I was learning how to run soundboards.

4) How many low powered FMs and stand-alone Online stations you are involved with?

My role is to program and add new music and troubleshoot for stations. At some I am the station manager; at others I am everything, LOL. I mainly focus in on imaging through social media to energize the youth who are the future listeners.

5) Would you share one or more of you mentors with us?

Well, I have had many over the years, I have to give credit to where it all started for me, and that was meeting the late great JMJ Jam Master Jay of Run DMC back in the '80s. Before meeting him, I was just another B-Boy, aka Pretty Boy going nowhere fast. I never thought of becoming a DJ, yet alone getting into radio, so I say thank you, Jam Master Jay, may you rest in Heaven, sir.

6) How did you also become so involved with independent music artists and managers?

I became involved with them behind the scenes, setting up interviews for on-air personalities and just networking pretty much.

7) What is in store for the music industry?

The future of the music industry, hmmmmmmm ... well, personally the powers-at-be need to open their eyes because the indie artists are learning more and more and getting paid just as much. I would love to sit down with them and just say, "Hey, are you all deaf and blind?" That is just my opinion.

8) How's the future look for Traditional radio, low powered FMs and stand-alone Internet stations?

In the next five years, every car coming off the line will have Wi-Fi, meaning radio has a major chance to rebound with in the right hands. We at WTBE stream online through TuneIn because of our sponsors from around the country; we want them to hear the ads, In October of 2015, the FCC is talking more changes to make LP-FMs more flexible with mainstream radio. Radio will always be around; we as owners, managers, PDs just have to reinvent their brand and know how to energize current and future listeners, if not radio will just die out like the 45s, 33s, eight-tracks, cassettes ... soon, the CDs too.

9) What's the process for putting together a Low Powered FM?

Structure a plan of action (POA), find out if the FCC is taking applications, see if the window is closed or open, know the area well before you're granted an FCC Building Permit. LP-FMs are not for everyone because we have tighter rules placed on us; we are limited to 100 K, which is a limited area of coverage. Do your research first, it might just be easier to take over a dark station (Dark Station is when it has not been running for less than one year). Do a management agreement with the current owners and you take it over, which is cheaper.

10) Is there anything that might surprise those who think they know you?

I am not a nice guy; I am a straight shooter and I turn down more projects then I accept, no matter what the budget is. It makes the owners get mad, but all budgets are not good budgets. I used to speak six languages, working radio around the world.