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10 Questions with ... K Renae
December 11, 2007
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NAME:K RenaeTITLE:Air Talent, TJMS Producer and Assistant Production DirectorSTATION:WMOJ The New Mojo 100.3MARKET:Cincinnati, OHCOMPANY:Radio OneBORN:Nashville, TN - my parents found me somewhere in a cabbage patchRAISED:Nashville, TN
Please outline your career path.
WMOJ- Cincinnati, OH
WQQK- Nashville, TN
WHRP- Huntsville, Alabama
Lifetime Radio (Lifetime TV and Jones Radio's former nationally syndicated, all female morning show)
WNPL- Nashville, TN
WWTN- Nashville, TN
WVON- Chicago, IL
The Oprah Winfrey Show- Chicago, IL
The Jenny Jones Show- Chicago, IL
WVEC-TV- Norfolk, VA
WNUR- Chicago, IL1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
My first job was at the legendary WVOL- AM, "The Mighty 147" in Nashville, TN. I was 12 years old and tried out for a teen talk show on Saturday mornings. Even though I wasn't quite a teen yet, I BEGGED the show creator to let me try out. She did, I made the cut and I've been madly in love with this game ever since. My early influences as a kid were Walt "Baby" Love, Ernie Allen, Darryl Jaye and Rick Walker. In college at Northwestern, I was inspired by Irene "Mamacita" Mojica, Herb Kent, Cliff Kelley, Troi Tyler, and Mike Love & The Diz.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I was always the kid in class who never stopped talking! I narrated all the church and school plays, competed in oratorical contests and was never shy in front of a mic. I'm naturally inquisitive, and I absolutely love meeting and talking with new people so I think it was a natural fit for me. I spent some time in Talk TV and TV news but it was too restrictive, I realized I would rather talk about the news, right or wrong, than report it.
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Yeah, I would. I LOVE IT! It is in my blood!!! However, it is unfortunate that things are so different now with consolidation and syndication and all the "ations" eating up local talent and stifling creativity. But I will continue to press on and hopefully the tide will eventually turn back to local, personality-driven radio that is focused on uplifting the communities we have the vital obligation to serve.
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 see myself hopefully still employed! Things change daily so I try to keep up with all things radio and stay ahead of the curve. I plan to be an air talent, possibly APD or MD, and still working as a freelancer doing marketing/promotions and event planning, as well as audio production work. I love to help other jocks develop their packages and resumes too. You always gotta have a side hustle! PPM scares me with all the kinks in it. I think it may eventually be a more accurate tool, but right now it is eating Urban radio alive. I know books and trends come and go, but we have to get these kinks worked out. Advertisers who don't realize the immeasurable power of Urban radio rely on numbers and right now, it's not a good look.
5) How you feel about the way Cincinnati has responded to what you do on-the-air?
GREAT!!!! I love the people in The Nati! They've embraced me with open arms. It is a true "radio city". People show SO much love. I am "Your girlfriend, K Renae" and everyone treats me as if we've been together forever. They listen intently and can pretty much tell me everything I say on the air verbatim! I do 2 Hollywood Dirt Reports every afternoon and people always want to talk about my commentary regarding the stars or some crazy comment I made or question I asked on my show. I am a professional hugger so people always want one of those too. :) They support our station events, come to my remotes and always participate in our promotions. I went to a school to speak to some kids and one of the little girls asked me if I was married. Having no real idea of just how much 3rd graders listen to our Urban AC station, I was about to answer and a little boy jumped in and said, "Noooooo! She's EVERYBODY's girlfriend!!! I was cracking up! Out of the mouths of babes...
6) What is going to happen to the training of tomorrow's talent if the current trend continues? How do you feel about syndication and voice-tracking?
Syndication is great for those who are syndicated and the companies saving money by utilizing it. But for the local, grassroots talent; whose listeners live and die by their word, it is devastating. It has broken my heart to see so many great talents taken off the air due to no fault of their own. I worry about training the next generation. I came up just in time to learn from some great PD's like Melody Spann-Cooper, Darrell Johnson, Phillip March and Derrick "DC" Corbett, who taught me "Old School" radio. But the new kids will never know what it was like. We don't have as many teaching PD's either. They don't have time to develop talent, they are too busy trying to adapt to another daypart getting syndicated or fighting for a song they want to add that hasn't dominated the charts yet. I have a great PD who focuses on talent development but for many of us to learn, we have to seek other management and talent who want to teach AND know how to. So, programmers: Reach back! Stop ignoring our calls and e-mails when we want yall to listen to our airchecks! I know you all are busy, but we need you! We're not trying to bug you, we just want feedback to grow! :)
7) What adjustments and flexibility have you had to exhibit in your new position?
Mojo is a new property acquired by Radio One. We just celebrated our first year! Congrats to the Mojo Staff- Phillip, Faith, P. Ann, Doc, Terance, Nee Cee, Yolanda and Mr. Lamont!! So, it has been a great opportunity to see a station built literally from the ground up. There is no, "that's not my job" at Mojo. We all do EVERYTHING. So, it has been a real learning experience for me. From scheduling music and building our song library, to developing promotions and events, to handling imaging and production for our station; I have really had to do it all and it's been great. I've been able to hone a lot of valuable skills and I am ready to take my career to the next level.
8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
Yes, I want to learn more about HD, podcasting, internet radio and all the newer options for listeners. I need to know more about our competition! I'd also like to know more about programming and corporate operations. Lots of times decisions are made that I don't necessarily agree with, but I always try to at least understand them.
9) How important do you feel education is for serious broadcasters
With the current trend of the "stations" and so many people losing their jobs at an alarming rate, we all need a back up plan and a side hustle! These essential elements can take on many forms, but having an education helps out because it may bode well in making other job opportunities more readily available to those of us who have to look outside of radio. You can also fall back on alumni networks and school resources to provide assistance. Honestly, I think education, especially college, is more of an opportunity to learn survival skills than anything else. Those skills can never hurt with the present state of affairs in radio.
10) As you look back over your career so far... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
Hmmm. Not really, I think everything happens as it should. I try not to regret much and believe in the idea that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, at the exact time that I am supposed to be there. I just have to have faith that it will all come together!
Bonus Questions
What would people who think they know you be surprised to find out about K Renae?
I own an M.C. Hammer doll; 2 Legit 2 Quit!!!
What type of show prep do you do and when do you do it?
Of course I have a ton of websites or publications I go to and get the latest info on whatever it is I want to talk about. But, life is really the best show prep for me, 24/7! Something utterly ridiculous is always happening around me that I know other folk can relate to. I swear I am a magnet for the unbelievable! I love to laugh at the crazy things people do, as well as discuss the injustices that we all have to face everyday. Most people love to weigh in and listener interaction is the life blood of my show. I love talking to people. I just try to weave it all in among the hottest music and most times the marriage works out!
What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?
Do YOU! Nobody will EVER be able to do it better. I can't really remember any bad advice; I probably just smiled, thanked the person and kindly ignored them :)
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