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10 Questions with ... Al Weeden
February 7, 2006
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NAME:Al WeedenTITLE:PD/P.M. driveSTATIONS:KMJJ-FM 99.7MARKET:ShreveportCOMPANY:Cumulus BroadcastingBORN:8/15 Mobile, ALRAISED:Mobile, AL
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I was a weekend board-op at WABB. I handled Auburn football and basketball, NASCAR, and Talknet (it was torture because I'm a 'Bama boy … Roll Tide!!!!!!). Early influences? WOW!!!! Inspired by and worked with Skip Cheatham, Greg Street (KP), the late Madd Hatter, Irene Johnson Ware, Mitch Henry, Nikki DeMarks and my light-skinned brother from another mother Mark "The Shark" Fisher and many, many more
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
Originally I wanted to work in television, but I couldn't get a job. So one day in a radio/tv film class a PD stopped by to speak and I finally got that big break. I realized this was it when people started asking for free tix, I didn't know I had so many "relatives and friends."
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
By all means yes!!!! The one thing that works for radio is that it's a personal medium and people enjoy knowing that they mean something to the jock and the station. How many newscasters or reporters can you call and chat it up while they are on the air?
4) Where do you see yourself and the industry five years from now?
Hopefully playing a few more rounds of golf than I do now, but I would like to be involved with Programming and Consulting. As far as the industry concerns, the iPod, mp3, and file sharing issues must be addressed. The technology is so advanced, but we are still moving many paces behind. Everything must be merged to make a better system than we have now.
5) What's your take on radio currently? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same? Elaborate.
To a certain degree it's the same, but with my company's latest stance on no more add dates, that is a definite air of change. After the initial shock wore off, folks started to realize that we will all be okay. How can we progress without some sort of change?
6) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
It ain't what ya know, it's who ya know.
7) How have you managed to hold down a full-time air-shift, program and maintain consistently high ratings in Shreveport?
Having a staff that has my back. I have faith and trust that they believe in me and will go to the end if need be. I know that I can't work every shift, play every record, and take every request. Without them I am nothing.
8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
Sales and management.
9) How well do you think today's urban broadcasters really understand Arbitron?
On the average okay, but you have to be "trained" properly because there is so much information to absorb when the numbers come out it's unbelievable.
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
None.
Bonus Questions
How did you get your present job?
I reached out to our Urban VP Ken Johnson and expressed an interest to learn programming and move up in the company.
What do you do with a song you don't like?
Play it again to make sure I don't like it. Then ask people to tell me what they like about the song. Then I play it again and listen for what they said. And if I still don't like it, well, life goes on
What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?
The best: Don't quit a job if you don't have another job lined up. The worst I can't remember and it probably didn't help anyway
What's your favorite fast food?
Seafood.
What "reality show" could you see yourself appearing on and why?
The Big Break on The Golf Channel. Why? FREE GOLF!!!!!!
You just won the lotto and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?
"Remember that vacation I couldn't take in the last book? Well, are you sitting down?"
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