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10 Questions with ... Nate Quick
November 11, 2008
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NAME:Nate QuickTITLE:APD/MDSTATION:KKDA / KRNBMARKET:DallasCOMPANY:Service BroadcastingBORN:A long time ago in Brooklyn, NYRAISED:Atlanta, by way of Raleigh NC
Please outline your career path.
WSHA Shaw Univ.
WCLK Clark Atlanta Univ.
WIGO-A 1340AM Atlanta
WEKS (Kiss-FM) Atlanta
WVEE (V103) Atlanta
WPEG (Power98) Charlotte
KKDA (K-104)/KRNB Dallas1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
My first job in commercial radio was 7-midnite at WIGO-A, where our fall contest was winning $13.40 in cold hard cash, and we only had one winner a day.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
I did a little radio in Raleigh when I was in the 4th grade with MR O.A. Dupree, who had me read a "Black History Moment" every Friday on WSHA @ Shaw University. Even though everyone was pushing me to be on the radio, I wanted to do movies and TV. I went to Clark Atlanta to get my BA in Theater and one night I was going to meet the overnight girl in the studio, to show her, uhh, I mean she was going show me a few things. I showed up and she didn't. Nether did the morning guy; it wasn't till the midday guy showed up that they even realized that I was on the radio. After that I got a work-study job at the radio station and it's been nothing but grinding since.3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Yes, I would.
4) Where do you see yourself and the industry five years from now?
I see myself as a PD in five years at an aggressive FM station. I live radio and music every day. I am a hell of a PD/MD who knows what it takes to get results.
5) How you feel about being asked to wait on a record you hear until the research validates it?
I love waiting on records to grow. I would much rather play a proven hit than take a chance on something new and unfamiliar, but there are times to play new music. I know labels would like for you to step out on a song and give it a few hundred spins the first week out, but I got to satisfy my audience, so I am not going to run them away with too much unfamiliar music.
6) How do you feel about syndication? Does it affect significantly on the number of hours that you have control over the music that you play?
I am not a big fan of syndication. I still feel that great local personalities make your station a community powerhouse. Syndication may bring the big stars to the radio, but it rarely brings the big stars to the market. I don't think that syndication significantly affects my play list. We are running Steve Harvey right now and his playlist is on point with what we are doing on the station. Sometimes he does take a chance on a new record, but for the most part he plays it pretty safe.
7) Because of callout research are today's Urban and Urban AC programmers going to be slower in adding and playing new music? And what is the maximum number of spins a record in power rotation could be expected to receive in a given week on KRNB?
You know we are a real aggressive Urban AC station; I'm not saying that we are going to add a lot of new music out of the box, but I will pull a proven R&B hit off of our Hip-Hop/R&B station K-104 and package it as if we were the first and only station playing it. The maximum number of spins on KRNB will be between 45 and 50 spins a week.
8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
Yes, getting to work earlier and leaving earlier. I am a work-aholic and I love every minute of it.
9) How do you account for and what effect do you feel the continuing ratings dominance KRNB has is going to have on the Dallas market? Do you feel there are going to be new challengers from other formats?
I know there is only room to grow with KRNB. We are doing a very different format than most Urban AC stations, instead of beating you up with another Luther or Anita song, we are playing the current R&B hits. You will hear John Legend, Ne-Yo, Robin Thicke, Jasmine Sullivan and a lil' Aaliyah. I know that we will have some challengers as the competition sees our numbers grow, but we have already positioned ourselves to be "The New R&B Leader" for a long time to come, so they are going to have a pretty good fight on their hands.
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
My only regret is that I never got a chance to beat Angie Martinez. I almost got a job in NY a few years ago that would have put me up against Angie, and that was the only reason I even wanted the job. Angie and I kind of go back; she used to always play me like I was small time at the conventions and award shows. I tried everything, too. I would buy her food and drinks, and she would leave me at the bar holding her glass (sniff sniff). So I have always wanted to beat her lil fine ass on-air where it really hurts.
Bonus Questions
What would people who think they know Nate Quick be surprised to know about you?
That I can sing. I don't know if people know that I can shut down a room with this God-given talent I have of singing. People tell me I sound like a cross between Joe and Wayne Brady.
What's been your biggest disappointment in radio today?
Man, my biggest disappointment is still the same thorn in my side today. I have never been PD. I have damn sure done the job a few times. I have been Interim PD, APD and MD, but never PD. I have had the fortune of working with some of the greatest PDs in the Biz, like Ray Boyd, Michael Saunders, Jay Stevens, Kevin Brown, Andre Carson, Skip Chetham, Ken Dowe, Shay Moore and lots more, but I have never been in a situation that has moved me into the PD position. Even though second in command ain't bad ... I am still grinding for that number-one spot.
How do you feel about Arbitron's PPM eventually replacing the diary?
We are in a paper diary/PPM ratings period right now. I am not a big fan of PPM; there are way too many unanswered questions about the way the currencies are gathered. The numbers just don't add up in real world calculations. Even though we are prepared; we have been to all sorts of PPM boot camps and we have made sure our on-air troops are ready for this battle, so time will tell.
Do you feel that Urban 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?
Sure, the success of your station comes from your community. You have to give people what they want. They are too many other places, i.e.: Internet, satellite radio, TV, iPods, etc. that will get you what you want when you want it. Why go against the grain? Just find your niche and own it.
Do you feel that Urban stations should support new artists?
New music is the key to success of any Urban station. I used to think that playing new music was just something that helped young Urban stations, but after doing Urban AC I have noticed that people 25-54 want to hear some new music, too. Really it's all about packaging. If you package new music right you can make it win for you. There has to be a balance between your hits and new music. You also have to sell it before you play it ... and after you play it let folks know that you are giving them something new and not to be afraid and turn, because people want new music but they are scared of it by nature.
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