10 Questions with ... Kode Wred

NAME:Kode Wred TITLE:Music Director, On-Air, Mixer STATION:WAMO-F/A MARKET:Pittsburgh COMPANY:Sheridan Broadcasting Corp BORN:Aliquippa, PA RAISED:Monaca, PA

Please outline your career path.

Started in 1998 in the Promotions Department. Worked my way on to every time slot on the station. I worked morning shift, filled in for middays, afternoon shift, night shift, mix show and Quiet Storm.

1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?

Interned in the Promotions Dept. Early influences were the pioneer mixers in Pittsburgh: Sly Jock, Nick Nice and Melle Mel ... along with outside influences like Kool DJ Red Alert.

2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?

My mixing led to a career in radio. When I did my first mix live on-air, I knew without a doubt this is what I wanted to do

3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?

I think I would. I got into this because of my love of the music. I could do without the politics of this industry, though. I think that radio needs get back to the love of the music.

4) Where do you see yourself and the industry five years from now?

I would like to become Program Director in a Urban AC station

5) How you feel about being asked to wait on a record you hear until the research validates it?

At first, I was so anxious when I heard something I KNEW is going to be a hit to blast off on it. But with experience, I have learned patience when it comes to records. I have learned that from working with great PDs.

6) How do you feel about syndication and voicetracking?

It's a double-edge sword. Syndication takes away the localization of your show. Not a big fan of it at all. Voicetracking, also, is a cancer in radio. You need listener participation to make your show whole. To know that you can reach your favorite personality would make your fan base increase.

7) Because of the uniqueness of Pittsburgh, what adjustments have you had to make to continue to maintain your position in the market? How influential are the clubs for initially exposing new music in Pittsburgh?

The clubs are VERY important in my opinion. That's how I can gauge a lot of songs as to which ones will hit or not. I monitor the ladies at clubs and I watch their reactions. Also, I monitor the request I get for certain songs.

8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?

I watch and learn, but I would like to know more about the technical aspects of programming

9) How do you feel about adjusting for spring and summer from a music standpoint? Do you feel Urban programmers should be quicker in adding and playing new music in the summer?

I agree with it. Kids are home from school for the summer; more people are outside with the radio on. Summer, in my opinion, is the perfect time to gain new listeners.

10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?

I don't regret anything. Good or bad. I look at everything as a learning experience

What do you do with a song you don't like?

I keep EVERY song I come across on my radar. Some songs will come back to surprise you. There have been many songs that I didn't like. I think I got a good gauge on what our audience wants, whether it's good or bad.

What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?

This may sound corny, but it's VERY basic. You HAVE to have patience to work in this industry -- and you HAVE to love what you do, or you will fail.