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10 Questions with ... Charles Spudd Spence
June 27, 2006
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NAME:Charles Spudd SpenceTITLE:Program Director/Afternoon PersonalitySTATIONS:WHTD HOT 1027MARKET:DetroitCOMPANY:Radio OneBORN:01/05/75 Junction City KansasRAISED:Junction City Kansas
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
KSDB (DB92 Jamz) in Manhattan, Kansas as an intern at the age of 15. My early influence was EZ Street (currently on WKYS 93.9) who I carried records for to the radio station and his club nights.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I love people that's first and I LOVE to TALK! EZ STREET took me to watch him work at KBUZ in Wichita. After I heard the callers, the imaging, and the music I clearly said "this is it"!
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
I would do it and then some!
4) Where do you see yourself and the industry five years from now? How do you feel about the PPM eventually replacing the diary?
PPM: I don't care for it. I think that diaries are better. If a listener works in an environment that picks up smooth jazz but loves our station we can't get the credit. With the diaries at least they can still write us down.
5) How you feel about being made to wait on a record you hear until the research validates it? Elaborate.
I am not concerned with waiting on a record. All records have to prove themselves to be on the radio. Now if it's Jay-Z, Usher, or Mary J Blige then you just run with it until you get call out. But most artists can wait.
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 voice-tracking?
Tomorrow's talent must step up to the plate and make things happen in their market! They have to learn the art of radio and become better radio personalities. Radio today has too many promoters on the radio!
Syndication is what it is! We can't blame companies for getting more bang for their buck!
7) What adjustments have you had to make in your new position?
Dealing with people!
8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
Time management.
9) How do you feel the current payola investigation is going to affect both industries? Are urban programmers going to be slower in adding and playing new music?
It's going to force programmers to play the right records!
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
No regrets! I haven't missed any opportunities. I am exactly where I need to be!
Bonus Questions
How did you get your present job?
Nate Bell made me APD back in 2000 while he was PD at WDTJ 105.9 Jamz. He moved on and I walked in one morning and my GM said you are going to be the PD! Boy that was the day that changed my career. I can write a book about that!
What is your biggest challenge working at this station?
Being #1!
What do you do with a song you don't like?
Let the listeners decide! They are the ultimate decision makers.
What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?
The best is "It's not what you do in radio, it's what you make listener you think you do!"
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