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10 Questions with ... Stan Allen
November 21, 2006
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NAME:Stan AllenTITLE:PDSTATION:WESE (92.5 Jamz)MARKET:Tupelo, MSCOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:2/6/1959 in Houston, MSRAISED:Houston, MS
Please outline your radio career so far:
WCPC/Houston, MS, 1982-84; WDIA/Memphis, 1984-85 (parttime); WTVA-TV/Tupelo, MS 1985-86; WTUP/Tupelo, 1986-87; WACR/Columbus, MS, 1987-90; WZLQ/Tupelo, 1984-86 and 1990-91; WESE/Tupelo, present.
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
My first job was just the afternoon urban announcer. This station was a "block format" station (WCPC). I was offered the job because they needed help for the summer, and I was in town that evening doing a concert at my old high school with a recruitment group from Ole Miss. I really had no interest in radio. (Oooh, but now!)
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
I was just offered the job, but once I got behind that mic it was on! I loved the response and the love that my local area gave me, and it still is super today. My first choice was to seek a career in the music business as a singer with a band, but I think I made the right choice by choosing radio. (I couldn't sing that well anyway!)
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Most definitely! Radio is a disease, and it spreads with everything that you do, and it can truly be a blessing if handled correctly..
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 would hope and pray that God would lead me further into management and enable me to eventually have some type of ownership. If the PPM can show more definite, exact results, let's get 'er done!
5) How you feel about being made to wait on a record you hear until the research validates it?
I feel that I am the research! As a programmer I feel that my years in the business qualify me to make these types of decisions. I feel that the decision of the programmer in their market is as important as waiting for the research to give me an answer. What blows up in L.A. may just fizzle out in the "Dirty South"!
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 voicetracking?
I believe in training a talent on the air first before you let them know about VT. Syndication is OK, but it will never take the place of the personality of the jock that everyone knows personally. Voicetracking is the future, and your company must be able to compete live with a jock as well as with the computer age VT. I would prefer a live jock anytime over VT, but you must stay in line with the computer age that exists today. I'm not saying that I totally agree, but I understand the need for modern tech.
7) What adjustments have you had to make in your new position at WESE?
I was PD here once before, and the industry has changed a great deal since then. I must be more computer-smart, Internet-smart, business-smart, and promotional-smart! I also believe that Urban radio has evolved to become a cross-sector format more so than any other format. I'm not just dealing with the African-American group, but all groups.
I must be multicultural-smart, not just cultural-smart.
8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
I believe that no matter what you know, you don't know it all! If you think you do, then you are a fool! I'm always looking to improve in all areas, no matter what I believe I know. I would like to improve my relationship with "label" reps because it has become difficult to receive product from them. I will say that Daryl J. Smith of Columbia, Coleen Wilson and Oden Hatcher of Universal, Ken Wilson and L.C. of J Records, and Gloria Fitts of Jive are some of the few whom I can get good response from.
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?
I believe that most people are smart enough not to get involved with such a situation and the stupid ones are gone. I think that "good" programmers who are true music professionals will do what's good for their listeners and the companies that they work for.
10) As you look back over your career, any regrets? Missed opportunities?
I can't worry about the past! I focus on the future and try not to make mistakes that make me look back. My only regrets are not taking the great opportunities like 1) working for WJMI when I had the opportunity, 2) working for WDIA longer than I did -- I wish I had stayed with WDIA! 3) I never worked in Gospel radio. Other than that, I'm KOOL!
Bonus Questions
1) What do you do with a song you don't like?
Get another opinion from someone else before I decide to "file 13" the song.
2) What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?
"Don't quit"! This was given by my daughter Jade when I was down with cancer! The best advice that I've ever had, because out of the mouth of babes comes wisdom! The worst was, "Why don't you join the Army?" I did, but I wouldn't do it again!
3) Describe your favorite meal.
Shrimp Scampi. You know what shrimp can do for ya!
4) What's your favorite fast food?
Subway!
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