-
10 Questions with ... Kevan 'Smokin Kevan' Browning
September 22, 2009
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Kevan 'Smokin Kevan' BrowningTITLE:Production MangerCOMPANY:Citadel Media NetworksMARKET:NationalBORN:Chicago ... Before FM was popular, lolRAISED:Between Chicago and Texarkana (E Rodney Jones hometown)
Please outline your career path.
12/79 thru 12/80-KADO/Texarkana (DJ)
12/80 thru 09/81-KNOK/Dallas (news)
09/81 thru 07/83-WLUM/Milwaukee (Nights)
07/83 thru 04/85-WNOV-A/Milwaukee (Mornings)
08/85 thru 09/87-KAPE-A/San Antonio (Mornings)
09/87 thru 03/89-KHYS/Beaumont/Houston (Mornings/P.D.)
03/89 thru 02/90-WHRK/Memphis (Afternoons)
03/90 thru 03/92-KJMZ/Dallas (Afternoons)
03/92 thru 06/94-KKDA/Dallas (Afternoons)
07/94 thru 04/98-KJOY/Dallas (Mornings/Prod. Director)
08/98 thru 07/01-Radio Disney Networks Dallas (National Producer)
10/98 thru 08/01-KTXQ/Dallas (Afternoons)
08/01 thru 12/05-KSOC/Dallas (Afternoons/Prod. Director)
06/06 thru current-ABC/Citadel Radio Networks (Production Manager)1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
My first job was in Texarkana, TX, working for Dorian Cox, who put a 10-second rule on me that said, "KC Stone must say whatever he has to say in 10 seconds or less." My hero was Tom Joyner; he just sounded like a real person, while most of us were puking, lol! As a kid? Herb Kent, E. Rodney Jones, Daady O Daylie! Ten years into the game, Elroy Smith changed the game for me, sharing his knowledge and understanding, while James Alexander communicated a true understanding of the jock/PD relationship. James A. said once to me, "Get it together, it'll be rough to be in the street with a six-month no-compete.' They both remain among my best friends today 15-20 years later!
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I think I lnew I was pretty good when I went to Milwaukee to work for WLUM. The first night I was on the air, a young 21-year-old PD across town called my first night on the air. Steve Hedgewood told me I sounded great and when they fired me in six months, he'd hire me to host his morning show. They did and so did he!
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Yes, in a heartbeat. As a teen, I was on the cutting edge of radio at 19. Now, I'd be pod/videocasting, deep into my Mac Book Pro and probably getting tagged with the "10 second rule" again, lol.
4) Where do you see yourself and the industry five years from now?
Having a blast! Much deeper into my Mac Book Pro and it's video capabilities ...Writing more ... I've written, produced and imaged two syndicated Brian McKnight Christmas Specials, a three-hour Michael Jackson special and innumerable commercials, promos and special features ...It all starts with writing! My goal now is to add video to my various audio works. For instance, for the third annual Brian McKnight Christmas Special, I plan to create a "Making Of" video and distribute it to affiliates to monetize on their local websites...
5) How you feel about being asked to wait on a record you hear until the research validates it?
Waiting on a record until research validates it. Programmers and companies are the kind I'd like to face in a battle! This is a now society and now generation. If BET/VH1 or any of the other outlets are playing it along with me and you are not ...Well, ta-daaaa! Reaseach is simply a tool for a good programmer. It's a crutch for non-programmers and people who want to control, what's already out of the box!
6) How do you feel about syndication? Does it affect significantly on the number of hours that you have control over the music that you play?
Working at Citadel Media Networks with Mike Love and Ken Johnson, I must say ... syndication is very, very good. That said, when you have a syndicated show such as Tom Joyner, Michael Baisden, Doug Banks or Brian McKnight, the show controls the music during that time period.
7) Because of callout research are today's Urban and Urban AC programmers going to be slower in adding and playing new music? What is the maximum number of spins a record in power rotation should receive on a well-programmed station?
Todays PDs are slower to add for any number of reasons, including callout. What I think management may be missing is the understanding that people tune to radio to hear their jams, but also to hear new music. If I had an 18-24 station, I'd have a teenage MD, lol! The maximum number of spins would depend on who you are competing against; what your market is accustomed to and unfortunately these days, what corporate says ... So 70 could be too few, but 50 might be too many, hmmm Know your market!
8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
I am actively working on my video skills. Video is the future of radio!
9) How do you account for and what effect do you feel the continuing ratings dominance by the current market ratings leaders is going to have on the future? Do you feel there are going to be new challengers from other formats?.
Ratings domination is a recall thing. With the PPM, how do you get more people to recall your station? The dominance of some market leaders is the best thing that could happen. It's like looking at Tony Soprano ... How do you take what Tony has? You can do the same thing as Tony, but that's something he's obviously really good at. So it forces you to think in the abstract and turn the abstract into reality! Existing formats such as Top 40 KHKS here in Dallas, flip-flop frequently to challenge our Urban leaders K104 and KBFB. Eventually those operators with decent signals and no ratings may be our best option in introducing another part of the Urban musical diaspora.
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
Sometimes I think I should not have stayed in Dallas since Elroy hired me in 1990, but I think the balance of giving my family stability evens that out. I regret being a bit of a wild man in my early years, LOL... Give any 19-year-old access and he's probably gonna behave like a 19-year-old!
Bonus Questions
What would people who think they know Kevan Browning be surprised to know about you?
That I have a childls heart...Listen to the Michael Jackson song...
What's been your biggest disappointment in Radio today?
That some of our industry leaders believe that less is more, kinda like that less talk/more music stuff from back in the day. Rather than less, I believe we need full-blown Balls-to-the-wall Radio. You can't compete with attention-grabbing media by cutting everything back to the nub!
How do you feel about Arbitron's PPM eventually replacing the diary?
Seems some more studying needed to be done. If a ratings system picks up ambient noise and registers it as listening, that's false. So if the manager at Wal-mart likes Country and sets the radios to Bubba Country 108, I pass by and all of a sudden I'm a ratings bonanza for something I never listen to?
Do you feel that Urban stations should be more careful not to blindly copy formats, but tailor them specifically to the age and racial make-up of their own markets?
A format is only a tool, be it local or syndicated. The question is how do you synergize what's available and make it market-specific. Overall, an idea can come from anywhere; it's what the people in power do with it.
How important is consistent marketing to a station's overall success?
I remember my partner Long John, when he was PD in Dallas always saying, "Repetition equals retention." That said, it's not always about TV or Billboards. A strong viral marketing campaign thru the Net and streets can create that buzz you need and balance off the lack of funds that plague the marketing departments these days. So yes, it's super-important, just not in the same way radio's been doing it forever.
-
-