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10 Questions with ... James Alexander
November 7, 2006
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NAME:James AlexanderTITLE:OM, Cumulus/Mobile; PD, WDLTMARKET:MobileCOMPANY:Cumulus BroadcastingBORN:CincinnatiRAISED:Cincinnati
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
WCIN in Cincinnati -- I started as a senior in high school. My early air name was "Jimmy Wonder, the Ball of Thunder" -- the men's threat, the ladies pet; a lover supreme and every girl's dream; the one who did it, hit it, split it and got away with it.
My early influences were Tom "TKO" Knox, "Tall" Tom Hankerson, Jockey Jack (the Rapper) Gibson, Chuck "Buggs" Scruggs, Bob "Sweet Daddy" Long, Bill Moss, Les Brown (same one), and Bob Hudson (w/ Grandpa) -- my first PD.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
It was the direct result of a high school football injury. While I was on the ground in pain, I quickly realized that my future as a pro athlete was over! I had been an avid radio fan, listening and studying radio.
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Absolutely. However I would have made it a point to become more familiar with the music and various formats
4) Where do you see yourself five years from now? Where do you see the industry five years from now? What would most people who know you be surprised to find out about you?
I see myself semi-retired with an equity position in a broadcast group (working at my leisure). For the industry, I see passion and creativity returning to the art form -- it all recycles.
I think people would be surprised to find out that I have a "real" sense of humor.
5) How do you feel about being made to wait on a record you hear until the research validates it?
That has never bothered me. I'm probably more conservative along those lines than most. My focal point is with the listeners, and they are primarily concerned with what they like right here and right now.
6) What is the major reason for the recent ratings increase at WDLT? How do you feel about syndication and voice-tracking?
The major reason for my success is that I was able to discern the uniqueness of this market. Initially I was on the air, and that put me in direct contact with the audience. As a result I was clear that consistency, not resurrection, was the course. We have a "strong brand" with WDLT.
Voice-tracking is a sign of the times. As a business decision, I understand it. From the standpoint of developing the art form, it restricts that. However, I did hear of a station where the local announcers all voice-tracked. I thought it was an interesting concept; it allowed them to perfect their breaks, have the time to interact with the audience and the time to perform their other responsibilities around the station. An interesting concept -- and they were #1.
7) Of all the markets you worked in (including a nice long run at WJLB/Detroit), is there one that stands out, one that you enjoyed more than others?
Each market has had its own special allure. WJLB was special because I was able to build a "brand" and develop a morning show with one of America's soon-to-be-discovered talents -- Mason. When I arrived in Detroit it was in a pack of seven Urban stations, we -- John Booth, Verna Green, Barry Mayo and myself -- were "blessed" to take it to #1 (w/ no disclaimers).
WGCI gave me the opportunity to work with, as PD, both Tom Joyner and Doug Banks. And from those stations to Augusta (FOXIE), Baton Rouge/Lafayette, URBan Radio Broadcasting, to people who have met along the way to now being here in Mobile has given me the opportunity to share what I have been blessed to achieve, and hopefully I have been a motivating factor in their lives.
8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve? What advice would you give a young programmer who is just starting out and would like to have a nice long run as a programmer?
I would like to just continue to be open to improving (and learning). One thing that I have learned is that people don't move at the same -- or, particularly, your -- pace, and that's OK, it really is.
The advice I would give would be to learn as much as you can about both the entertainment and business sides of the industry.
9) How do you feel call-out research is going to affect both industries? Are Urban programmers going to be slower in adding and playing new music?
Knowledge and information are power, so each entity needs to conduct its own research. What it will do for the radio side is to ensure that we are playing the right songs. For labels it allow them make prudent and cost-effective decisions on the product they release and to what degree they continue the investment in that product
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
I would say that, with most of us, if I could rewind the clock, I would have made some different decisions.
Bonus Questions
1) What's been your biggest disappointment in radio today?
The biggest disappointment is that "passion, instinct, etc." are no longer able to be factors in the decision-making process of what is an "art form."
2) How did you get your present job?
I read the ad for the opening and applied.
3) What is your biggest challenge working at this station?
The biggest challenge is to maintain the success of the properties.
4) What do you do with a song you don't like?
Professionally, it doesn't matter.
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