10 Questions with ... J.J. Solomon

NAME:J.J. Solomon TITLE:Night Show Host STATION:107-3 JAMZ MARKET:#59 Greenville-Spartanburg, SC COMPANY:Cox Radio BORN:May 19th in Pittsburgh RAISED:Pittsburgh in the '80s and '90s on the sounds of HOT 106 WAMO and B94 and Mix Jamz 100.7

Please outline your career path.

1993 -- Board op, WYJZ-A/Pittsburgh
1996 -- Host, Friday Night Jazz Club, WEAA-FM 88.9 Morgan State University Radio
1996-1997 -- Board op, WOLB-A/Radio One, WCAO (Heaven ), WXYV (V103) Urban, then Top 40, Infinity/Granum/AM-FM/Baltimore under Lee Michaels, WCAO Steve Crumbley (1st time -- WXYV)
1998 -- Board op/on-air WPOC/Baltimore
1998 -- Weekend/swing WOCQ (OC104)/Ocean City, MD
1998 -- Weekend/swing WINX/Rockville, MD 1999; Morning producer/sidekick - WJJJ (The Beat) and (Jammin' Oldies)
2000-2001 -- Morning producer/sidekick, WAMO (106JAMZ)
2001 -- Metro Traffic reporter, Pittsburgh, PA
2004-05 -- Afternoons/Production Assistant, WJKS/Wilmington, DE
2006 -- Weekend/swing, X1023 and B1063 (Urban AC)/West Palm Beach
Oct. 31, 2007 -- Weekend/swing WJMZ (107-3 JAMZ)
December 2007 -- Weekend/swing for WHZT (HOT 981)
June 19, 2008 -- Nights,Michael Baisden Producer)

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

Board op at WYJZ (now WAMO-A/Pittsburgh). I rushed to the station after my classes at Schenley High School (go, Spartans!) to run the board and during high school football the on-site tech for games. Early influences were J.J. Stone (then WAMO-F night show host), D.C. Taylor (then night show host, WMXP), and Real Deal Mike Neal (then night show host, B94).

2) What led you to a career in radio?

My mother took me to the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation's Urban Journalism Workshop. I soaked up the info so much that I still use principles today. Jay Harris of ESPN's Sportscenter was the News Anchor of WAMO-F back in 1993, and I learned how to edit audio from him.

Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?

When I was selected to be a part of the continuing week-to-week radio program called "Teen Talk." It was for the best of the graduates of the Summer week 1 Urban Journalism Workshop. It was Pittsburgh's teen version of Lee Bailey's Radioscope. That was 1993. Its 2008 ... wow.

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

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes, please! It's addictive and consuming beyond explanation...

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

I see myself celebrating my 6th year on the air here in the Upstate as a celebrated member of the 107-3 JAMZ family.

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

I have learned to respect the discipline of research and demand. Jamz plays the hits; when I DJ in the club and play too many unfamiliar songs, I might drive people off the dance floor.

6) How do you feel about syndication?

I like it when it works to ENHANCE the local experience. When it makes the under market-25 stations feel like we're not worthy, I have concern. It's always been my belief that the more people you represent, the more you must represent their needs and wants. The burden is bigger.

7) Does it affect significantly on the number of hours that you have control over the music that you play?

Obviously it does, and like Michael Baisden has been doing since its debut here on Jamz on June 26th, it has given me a national perspective on the Urban AC songs that are growing in demand.

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

Time management and my ability to accumulate more stuff than money.

9) How do you account for and what effect do you feel the continuing ratings dominance your station has had on the Greenville market?

It is a station that I'm getting a better understanding of after a year and discovering that we are on the pulse of 'Ms Jamz'. Her expectation of music and lifestyle needs like cost of living, weekend living, and what she loves in the music. Who is Ms. Jamz? That's a great question for Steve Crumbley, that I better understand as I open the microphone!

Do you feel there are going to be new challengers from other formats?

If there is a Urban Old School Hip-Hop format or a New Slow Jam 24/7 Format, that might be a station to pay more attention to (for recurrent leads).

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

I thought too long about the night show opening at Kiss 102 in Wilmington (NC) when I was doing afternoons at Kiss 101.7 in Wilmington (DE).

What would people who think they know JJ Solomon be surprised to know about you?

That I have a wonderful knowledge and respect for veteran programmers of this field in the way sports junkies are fans of coaches of great football or baseball teams. I respect the grind and those that have been there and done that ... Jerry Boulding, Ron Atkins, Steve Crumbley, Hurricane Dave Smith, Mark McCray ....

What's been your biggest disappointment in radio today?

The devaluing of local talent over the value of syndicated talent. I feel like a morning show host in training, yet those odds are slimmer than ever (am I talking about radio or the stock market?)

Do you read ... everything?

Yes. All Access since 1996. Local news websites, CNN.com ... these are news gathering skills I first learned the summer of 1993 in Pittsburgh for the Urban Journalism Workshop. It's amazing what sticks when you learn it early on! Thanks, Chris Moore (WQED-TV, KDKA-AM) and Tene' Croom (WAMO/ American Urban Radio Networks News Director)

How do you feel about Arbitron's PPM eventually replacing the diary?

I love accuracy, so I look forward to that real-time data, that's why I love the Internet versus waiting for the 6 o'clock news to tell me what I got a hint of around three that afternoon.

Do you feel that Urban and Rhythmic stations should be more careful not to blindly copy formats but tailor them specifically to the age and racial make-up of their own markets?

Yes, yes, yes. For example, Tampa's Khia, "Thug Misses" CD (National "Hit My Neck, My Back") has a gem that gets airplay ONLY here, because the song works. What song? Youtube "Khia - K Wang."