10 Questions with ... Gary Saunders

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I've been very blessed to have worked with some of the biggest names in morning radio -- Tom Joyner, Doug Banks, Russ Parr, Steve Harvey, Skip Murphy and now DeDe McGuire. Syndication has allowed me to work some of the biggest names in Urban programming and Urban talent. It's pretty cool to say I've worked out of WBLS/New York to The Beat in Los Angeles.

1) How did you become a radio producer?

Right out of high school I started out at KKDA-A, working in the research department. Then the jocks on K104 would ask me to run their boards when they took smoke breaks. Back then, you could not put the computer on auto, you had to push buttons because everything was on cart or reel to reel. From there, I started producing shows like Blues legends Millie Jackson and Johnnie Taylor.

2) What are the keys to producing a radio morning or entertainment show?

You must know and understand each of your talent's strengths, weaknesses and interests. You have to be aware of everything in pop culture and news. And most important for me is that you are never off from work. You are always thinking about ideas for the show and how to make a big splash every day. You never really have a day off. But if you love what you are doing, it's not really a job!

3) Describe what you learned from an influencer and mentor in your career.

Russ Parr has been my biggest mentors and we still talk almost every day. He can make anyone a real talent and he will use them on his show; from interns to salespeople. He taught me how to make anything a topic and find the funny angles.

4) Is there a show you regularly produced that would be considered unusual?

Yes! The late Chuck Smith, who was the GM for many years at KKDA-A, really liked celebrity-type shows. So he hired the ventriloquist Willie Tyler and Lester to fly in on Saturday mornings. It was a little weird because it was just me, Willie, and the puppet in the control room. He stayed in character every show. It would have been better if we took them out for a live broadcast. That experiment only lasted about six months.

5) What are some of your more memorable moments on and off the air?

Traveling with The Doug Banks Show and producing the live "Jam Session" broadcast were great times. We would be live on the radio with a concert type atmosphere at the same time. From Jay Z in New York for WBLS and in Houston with Beyoncé, to Chicago with Alicia Keys and her piano at 6a, it was a lot of pressure but so much fun looking back. I've seen a lot and as the years go by, I find that I appreciate those moments more and more. I remember Tom Joyner took me to the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans and I found myself backstage with Gladys Knight, Reverend Jesse Jackson and Tom playing a mean game of dominoes!

6) Can you tell us all the hosts of shows you've produced over the years and something about each?

Tom Joyner: He doesn't really need a producer because he's always thinking about his show. He just needs people to help execute his vision. I have never worked with anyone who worked as hard.

Doug Banks: He was quick and funny. He was well liked by everyone from listeners to sales to affiliates. He was always in "fun mode" and allowed everyone on his show to shine.

Russ Parr: His dry sense of humor was amazing. He was always thinking of bits and weird characters for his morning show. He also enjoyed taking on issues in the community and attending rallies and protests.

Steve Harvey: He was already such a big star and radio gave him an opportunity to be freer with the listeners. He always enjoyed features like Morning Idol or The Strawberry Letter because it allowed him to interact with them just like when he is on stage at a comedy show.

DeDe McGuire: She's just so silly and a lot of fun. But she has really embraced being the "Women's Champ." Her show is now syndicated and she's starting to use a lot of things that Doug would do on his show, so she has a huge advantage from someone who is just starting out.

7) What's your response to the saying, "pressure is privilege?"

To me it means that if you are fortunate to work in a job that you like, that type of pressure is a real privilege. I think the pressure in any job can make you a better leader and it helps you deal with everything in life. It makes you stay honest and it makes you a winner if the pressure is handled right. Pressure helps me engage with life more meaningfully. In the entertainment business, pressure and privilege go hand in hand.

8) How did you get the nickname White Gary?

There were three Garys at K104 and Tom Joyner gave me the name to help identify us. It has stuck with me almost 30 years and it doesn't bother me at all.

9) Do you still use newspapers in addition to prep services?

Absolutely. There are still a lot of little things that you can find and use as content for a show that they will not post online. I still go through the newspaper each day and on the weekends.

10) "Teenagers screenagers" ... what does that mean?

Teenagers and now screenagers, they spend so much time on their phones and computers and you are always competing for their attention. That's why it's so important to make sure you have other ways to reach them, via social media or podcasts.

What do you do to get your team up for the main event every morning?

I'm been blessed to have worked with veteran morning show staff, so they know what is at stake every day. They are all self-motivated. There are always so slow days or days where the talent might not feel well. The key is to catch it and acknowledge it early in the show, so you can recover faster.

What are your future goals?

To not wake up at 2a. I would like to consult morning shows or be a celebrity manager. I love the entertainment business and I have made so many contacts over the years. For now, I'm really enjoying the growth of DeDe's show and it's very fulfilling.

How do you advise those who want to go into radio?

They need to know that there's a lot of work that goes into it and it's not just the fun stuff. If you want to be an on-air personality, you must always to be ready to perform and be transparent. If you want to be behind the scenes, you will have to do the grunt work and sometimes it's not that glamorous. Either way, your work ethic will determine your success.