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10 Questions with ... Stan Boston
February 14, 2006
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NAME:Stan BostonTITLE:Program Director of The Touch, the adult urban format at ABC RadioSTATIONS:The Touch, ABC Radio NetworkMARKET:N/A (syndicated)COMPANY:ABC Radio NetworkBORN:March 1st Fort Riley, KansasRAISED:Petersburg, Virginia
Please outline your career so far:
WKIE/'82, WPLZ/'84, WTOY/'86, WJMO/'88, WNHC/'90, WKYS/'94, WROU/'95, ABC Radio/'03-present. I was a Program Director at WTOY,WNHC, WROU, and I currently program the Touch format at ABC Radio.
1) What was your first job in radio?
I started in college at WMRA. My first commercial job was WKIE, Chauncy Lewis hired me. I will never forget when I came to work with my own stack of oldies. He asked me, "What are those records for"? I said these are more oldies. He said, "You play what is here, don't bring your records to work again." I will never forget that conversation; it was my welcome to the big league.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I was always intrigued by radio. I used to go to see the DJ's at WSSV in Petersburg. You could see them broadcast through the glass; I would stand there and watch them do their thing. The studios were on the top floor of a bank. Later my sister got into broadcasting, and my interest continued to grow. She was a major influence on me.
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
I would definitely do radio today, but I would probably have a double major. I have a friend who was in the service for 20 years, and he retired from the military. I've been in radio for over 20 years, and I can't even think about retiring now. I have to do something about that immediately.
4) Where do you see yourself and the industry five years from now?
I want to teach radio. We have to share our knowledge. I think Radio will continue its consolidation trend. I just learned that the company I work for has merged. It's tough to be an independent owner in the 21st century. You can't break into most markets with one station; you almost have to have at least two properties targeting different demos. The digital world will continue to soar, and don't be surprised if Sirius and XM merge by 2010.
5) What's your take on radio currently? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same? Elaborate.
Radio is about the same in my world, but I don't know if that's a good thing.
6) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
God is good, and hard work does pay off.
7) What was the transition you had to make in your new position at "The Touch" and ABC Radio?
As the program director for a syndicated network, you lose your peripheral. I can't hear and see my competition. We have to put out a good neutral product. We have affiliates from the West coast to the East coast, so I can't lean too much in one area. ABC is not much different than any other corporate atmosphere, sometimes you have hurry up and wait
8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
Production. Don't get me wrong, I am not using grease pencils and razors, but I can improve in that area.
9) How well do you think today's urban broadcasters really understand programming?
The programmers I converse with are as good as anyone in the business.
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
No regrets. In Dayton we came close to locking up the market, and we could have been one of the few standing independent stories if we could have purchased an additional station; it didn't happen, so we were vulnerable, and eventually we were sold. But again, no regrets we had a great boss, a great staff, and a GREAT run.
Bonus Questions
What do you do with a song you don't like?
I get other opinions before I throw it away.
What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you?
"Just Do It"; he was speaking of tithing. I've been doing it ever since that day. God is good.
What's the best liner you've ever heard?
Lock it in, and rip the knobs off.
Describe your favorite meal?
Pork chops, corn, biscuits and apple sauce.
What's your favorite fast food?
I love a burger and fries from McDonalds, but I eat at Subway almost every day .
Do you read … everything? Books, Magazines, etc. Nothing? What's your favorite reading material?
I read the Bible almost every day.
You just won the lotto and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?
I need some time off. Believe it or not, I don't think I would quit.
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