10 Questions with ... Broadway Joe

NAME:Broadway Joe TITLE:PD STATION:KHTE (Hot 96-5) MARKET:Little Rock COMPANY:Archway Broadcasting Group BORN:Minneapolis, June 22 RAISED:Minneapolis & Chicago

Please outline your radio career so far.

KIPR -- Air Personality 1994
WEJM -- Air Personality 1995-1996
KKDA -- Air Personality 1996-1998
KRBV -- Air Personality 1998-2000
KTTB -- Air Personality/Asst. Program Director 2000-2002
WWDM -- Air Personality 2002-2003
WXBT -- Mornings 2003-2004
KHTE -- Program Director 2004-Present

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

KMOJ was my first job. Influences include Tom Joyner, Doug Banks, Steve Cochran, and Jammin Dave Michaels.

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

When my father told me that I was living a dream and to get a real job! He said that I was wasting my time!

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

NO! Radio is no longer the business I fell in LOVE with. Wall Street and voicetracking killed the business we love.

4) Where do you see yourself and the industry five years from now? How do you feel about the PPM eventually replacing the diary?

I'll own a small station in a P3 market somewhere with a nice cash flow! SMILE!

Our current diary system is flawed and always has been. The current diary system benefits the heritage stations because of recall and you can write whatever you want.

I think PPM will give a better gauge of people's REAL listening habits.

5) What's the greatest promotion or contest you've ever done? Was there one that you wanted to do that so far you haven't had a chance to do?

When we gave away Steve Harvey's first Rolls Royce. It was a gift to the Little Rock market from Hot 96-5 and Steve Harvey. I've done all the promotions I've wanted to do!

6) What is going to happen to the training of tomorrow's talent and programmers if the current trend continues? How do you feel about syndication and voicetracking?

Regulation has to come back into play. Competition of multiple owners has to be allowed to compete fairly.

When more music and less personality became our moniker, we killed personality radio as we know it. Creativity and personality radio was swallowed up by consultants who told the owners they work for, shut up the jocks, read liner cards.

You know how I feel about voicetracking!

7) What time-management adjustments have you had to make recently in order to be more effective?

Just manage the time I spend on one project. Keeping appointments, being on time and making sure that I'm ready and have the right tools with me.

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

Listening! To people, listeners, my staff, my wife, kids -- LISTENING!

9) How do you feel about callout research? Do you feel as a result of using it that Urban programmers are going to be slower in adding and playing new music?

We do callout. But I don't let that dictate how fast I put in a song that I know my core demo is gonna love! You have to have a gut for your market along with data that can help you make the right decision for your station.

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

I wish I could do Chicago and Dallas over. My mind wasn't right. I had just lost my mother to cancer, and my focus was all off. My temper was bad, and my decision-making was lost.

1) What one thing would people who think they know you be surprised to learn about Broadway?

I'm a major family man. One day soon I will be preaching about Jesus Christ.

2) What's been your biggest disappointment in radio today?

KTTB in Minneapolis! I built that station with Tony Fields. I was born and raised in that city. I WORKED MY ASS OFF FOR RADIO ONE. When Mary Catherine didn't give me the PD job, that really hurt me.

3) How did you get your present job?

I was sought out by the old CEO.

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

My father, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything!"

5) How did the events of 9/11 change you personally?

I think I take LIFE more seriously. I think we all take life for granted and the freedoms we enjoy.

6) You just won the lotto, and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?

Let's go have dinner. Wanna work for me?