10 Questions with ... Keith Landecker

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

As a native of Detroit, my passion and inspiration for a career in radio began through listening to great radio such as WJLB, WGPR, and WDRQ. In my graduating year from Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY, I got my first radio job at WFKY, then moved to Louisville, where I worked as an air personality at WAKY, WLRS, and WJYL. My first taste of programming was at WJYL where I became the Public Service Director and later MD, before moving to Cincinnati, where I became the APD/Production Director and on air personality for WIZF.

While in Cincinnati I met two of the most important people in my radio career -- Jim Brewer, Sr. and the late Jim Brewer, II, who had just bought an Uban station in Tennessee and were looking for a PD who wanted to grow with their company. Accepting the position of PD/air personality for WJTT (Power94)/Chattanooga, TN has afforded me the opportunity to be a part of the growth of Brewer Media, as the company has now grown to include five radio stations, Traffic Network, The Pulse newspaper and several .com interactive companies. At present, I am OM of the Urban Division.

1) How different is the job of PD these days?

In the past, there were only programming meetings making sure all departments were on the same page -- production, promotions, public service, etc. In addition, programmers now participate in operations, sales and technology meetings. Technology meetings have been added due to the growth of social media and have become a priority.

2) Who have been some of your influences and mentors?

There are too many to name. I am really a self-motivator and was blessed to grow in the industry during the time when there where opportunities to learn from the best in the business at panel discussions at radio conventions. These panels were led by legends. Here are some special people I would like to acknowledge:

The late Dr. Jerry Boulding, Tom Lewis, Jack Gibson aka Jack the Rapper, the incredible Walt Baby Love , Donnie Simpson (who I idolized because he came from the same neighborhood I lived in), James Alexander (he mentored me while programming WJLB/Detroit), Tony Fields (while programming WJYL, he showed me everything that needed to be done to become a PD), Marv Hankston (while programming WIZF, he taught me the Selector Music System, the first of many I have learned since), the Power94/Groove93 staff who have contributed greatly to my longevity and success (the BEST team in the business!), Jim Brewer, Sr. and Jim Brewer, II, who gave me the opportunity to become the programmer I am today and taught me the business of radio. The Brewer's dedication to company and employee development makes them, hands down, the best owners I have ever worked for.

3) How important is music research?

Research is important in adding music especially with technology like BDS, All Access, and other search engines where you can research any song. However, every good PD looks for those songs that will rock his phones and will keep his station hot, in tune with its market and its listeners. Whether that's the new industry hot sensation or that local artist who is making big noise in the region.

4) Sports and radio have a lot in common, don't they?

Yes, every radio station wants to put together a winning team. Every good PD has great people working with them who understand the game plan and executes it each day, and I have some of the best on my team.

5) How has life outside of radio impacted your approach to work?

My mother who recently passed, was living in a nursing home with Alzheimer's and had good days when she was engaging and talkative, and bad days when she sat silently. On this particular visit, she started talking to my son, who had just left home for his freshman year in college on a baseball scholarship and my daughter who is about to start her student teaching this year, and with great enthusiasm Mom said to them, "Whatever you do in life, and in whatever you want to learn, put yourself around people who can teach you and show you the right things to do. And people who don't know shit ... stay far away from them, and I know your dad taught you the difference between the two -- because I taught him!"

The significance ... she's right!

6) Is it a challenge to program and be on the air every day?

For me it is not hard because it keeps me in the trenches. I love to do both, so I schedule my work day to maximize my time and energy for both responsibilities.

7) What are some of your funnier radio moments?

I find great joy and sometimes humor when I groom a person for their first time on-air and the crazy mistakes they make -- like leaving the mic on and shouting "Oh my God, oh, my God!" repeatedly while they try to remember how to turn the mic off. Or the new announcer who emcees their first concert and almost passes out before they hit the stage.

8) Has longevity with this job helped you?

In my case, longevity has been very important because the PD's job has changed so much over the years. It is more than just programming music because of technology, and to be able to be with a company in which you are encouraged to develop new skills provides the opportunity to successfully program and continue to grow with the company.

9) How do you see Urban radio in the future?

Urban radio will continue to be important to its community if we as broadcasters commit to the lifestyle of its listeners, by embracing technology, such as social media, maximizing community involvement, and super-serving our clients and local business development. Urban radio will continue to be in the business of uplifting the music of our format, working hard with new artists, and will always provide a vehicle for respecting and acknowledging where our music came from.

10) What's your advice for upcoming programmers?

Be a student of the game. I learned four different programming philosophies from four different programmers before I got my first shot at programming. Learn from your mentors and let your work ethic guide you.