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10 Questions with ... Jade Nicole
June 18, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. It is a bit difficult in that most women are nurturers by nature. So, I think I'm often perceived as weak. I've had management to speak to me condescendingly; and at first, I was a bit put off. I came to realize most men are "black and white." They don't care about people or how they come across to others. At the end of the day, most men see themselves as the providers for their families. So, they do what they have to do to protect themselves (and their passions), even if that means being disrespectful to others. Once I looked at it from that point of view, it became easier to let things roll off and to focus on doing the best job possible. Not only does my job depend on the results I produce but they ultimately affect everyone associated with the station
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1) Where did your thirst for radio start?
My high school guidance counselor suggested that I seek a career in broadcast journalism. However, I was still undecided when I entered Stillman College. Based on placement test scores, it was suggested that I study computer science. After the first year, I knew it wasn't for me.
I'd been the photo editor of my high school newspaper. So, I got involved with Stillman's campus publication, The Tiger's Paw. Faculty advisor Stephen Jackson was informed of an opportunity to intern at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center in its Medical Media department. I applied and got the internship.
I did everything dealing with audiovisuals (i.e. took photos, edited photos, composed newsletters, recorded videos, edited videos, etc.). One day while working, I was listening to WTUG and heard Tony Terry's In the Shower. I liked the song (DJM) and told a friend about it. They'd never heard it. So I called the station. Charles Anthony (WTUG PD at the time) was on the air. He played the song. I called back to thank him and told him if he ever needed an intern to let me know. He replied, "We always need interns."
I went to the station that night and I've been here ever since. I started as an intern in 2003, I was hired as a part-timer in 2004, and I came on full-time doing the Quiet Storm in 2005
2) How did your parents feel about you going into radio?
I didn't get any flak from my parents; but in this area, the automotive industry is very significant. So, there have been moments where I haven't made as much money as some of my family and friends, and they urged me to go work at a plant. I couldn't do it, though. Not that there's anything wrong with working at a plant, but in the words of Jill Scott, "Everything ain't for everybody."
3) What's the role of radio in relationship to the audience?
My philosophies are simple, give the people what they want (familiar music, entertainment, news and local information) and have fun. To me, community service is essential. It is a part of the trust-building factor. When people feel like they matter, and they trust you, they'll be more apt to turn to you as a source. Of course, this can be overwhelming because you end up pulled into many different directions, but this is where you have to rely on your team. Teamwork makes the dream work.
4) Any memorable radio moments?
One of the most memorable came in the aftermath of the April 27th, 2011 tornado that destroyed a great portion of Tuscaloosa. At that time, I'd had just had a baby. She was a preemie and stayed in the NICU for seven weeks. I had returned to work two weeks after having her. I saved my maternity leave to be able to bond more when she came home.
When the tornado hit, I'd worked a partial day. I actually drove to work while a tornado came through the area before day. We'd spent several days ahead of the inclement weather warning our listeners of the predicted storms. So, that day, I came in and ran the morning show. I was also the News and Public Affairs Dir. for all five of our stations at that point. So, I spent a great portion of the day attempting to prepare our listeners. In the following days, a listener called, crying. She said that we'd saved her life as well as the life of her children. She was listening to WTUG and heard that she should take cover immediately. Many people around them were injured, but they were not.
It's always the service factor that makes me most proud.
5) Can you give us an example of how your stations interact with the community?
Each year, WTUG and WTSK participate in a radiothon to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
We also hold a number of drives to benefit our community. School supplies, winter items, canned goods, and toys are collected each year. This year, we are adding a drive to collect purses containing toiletry items.
These events are always good, but I'm working on developing some events to generate NTR.
6) What's the hardest thing you do?
Geez! This one is tough. I'm a single parent. It started with her conception. I mean, I couldn't do that by myself, but I went through the pregnancy, complications, etc. as a single parent. My family has been a constant source of strength and support. When I have to work odd hours, they pitch in and keep my daughter occupied. She never feels like she's "at a sitter's." She's always doing fun things with our family ... When it comes to odd hours. But I make it my business to drop her off at school every day; and whenever I can incorporate her in my work, I do. When I attend community events, I take her if they're child friendly. It is very important to me that my daughter never feels like she takes a back seat to my job because my first responsibility is to her.
7) How do you see radio evolving?
I see that the digital aspect is increasing in importance, but one thing that Townsquare Media has perfected is locality. So, while there are several other music services, they can't adequately serve their local communities. The companies that will prevail are those that keep their local listeners at the top of their lists of priorities.
8) What surprised you the most about programming when you first started?
My biggest surprise was how often current songs turn over. Before programming, I was one of those who would listen to the music during my air shift, but once I got off, I wanted to hear anything other than what I'd heard the last five hours. To see that some songs have a turnover rate of every three hours or so was crazy to me, but I had to understand that not all listeners turn on the radio and keep it on all day. There are some that do, but the vast majority doesn't. So, it is imperative that when people turn to my station, they hear the songs they know and love.
9) Do you think women approach work differently than men?
It is a bit difficult in that most women are nurturers by nature. So, I think I'm often perceived as weak. I've had management to speak to me condescendingly; and at first, I was a bit put off. I came to realize most men are "black and white." They don't care about people or how they come across to others. At the end of the day, most men see themselves as the providers for their families. So, they do what they have to do to protect themselves (and their passions), even if that means being disrespectful to others. Once I looked at it from that point of view, it became easier to let things roll off and to focus on doing the best job possible. Not only does my job depend on the results I produce but they ultimately affect everyone associated with the station.
10) Whose influenced your career?
My first influence when it comes to radio has to be Charles Anthony. I studied his programming while under his leadership for 13 years. He, Ed Ramsey and I carried WTUG as the top station in Tuscaloosa for over a decade.
It was he who led me to be as involved in the community as I am. He knew the work he wanted done but also knew he couldn't do it all himself. I picked up a lot of it. Charles drove the importance of not only knowing the key people in the city but also making sure they know me.
Indirectly, Harry Lyles has been significant in my journey. Harry pushed keeping things simple when sharing information and not only playing what's familiar but also knowing your audience to know what is familiar to it.
Under Mickey Johnson, I learned the value of a successful promotion and how some promotions are better for some clients than others. I appreciate Mickey for encouraging creativity and doing the abnormal to produce extraordinary results.
And last, but not least, Tom Joyner. The funny thing is that we've never actually met. But I was the local producer for his show for a decade. So, I learned the value of entertainment, education, activism, philanthropy, and so much more. I learned how to be endearing to my listeners, how to sell myself, and that almost everything can be sold. "Now, it's time for (segment), brought to you by (sponsor)."
Bonus Questions
Is there anything you do that might surprise people?
I love working with my hands. I enjoy painting. That includes pottery and home projects. Speaking of home projects, I learned to lay tile, put up dry wall, mud it, and sand it to a smooth finish. I enjoy trimming my hedges, cleaning my gutters, and sweeping my roof.
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