My wonderful husband woke me up last night to tell me he forgot something...which scared the crap out of me, but then he told me he had been featured on
and he just had to show me. Now I have to show you!
TITLE: Program Director
STATIONS: WFFN-FM "95.3 The Bear"
MARKET: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
COMPANY: Citadel Broadcasting
BORN: Birmingham, Alabama
RAISED: Birmingham, Alabama
Brief Career Synopsis:
Started in radio at 18 years old in a double-wide mobile home and as if by magic 11 years later I'm a Program Director.
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
My first job was in a mobile home in Sumiton, Alabama working mornings for a small watt country AM calling funeral homes for obituary notices. Man did that suck at 5am. Thanks Herb Steadman.
2) What do you think of National Contesting? Is it effective?
At first I think it served its purpose. Local people have caught on now and I don't think it's effective anymore. People in your listening area want to know they have a realistic shot at winning and I don't think they believe they do when it's a national contest. You can't go wrong with a good ole fashioned local contest.
3) What do you like best about your job? Least?
What I absolutely love about Citadel is the fact that they don't send down music play lists that you must follow. That's why they hire programmers. They have faith in the local guy to select music. Why hire local programmers if the VP in Idaho is going to send you a list to follow?
4) What can we be doing with our station's web sites to better our stations as a whole?
Paige Nienaber had a great article that I read on Allaccess.com from November 3rd. He hit on several key things that I started doing. He suggests that you go to 20 station sites from your format, then go back to yours. We get complacent and forget what a wonderful tool your station's website is. If we post a few pictures from a station event and update your bio once a month we sometimes think "Great. My work is done for a month." Keep it fresh and change it daily or people won't come back. It's a great tool to have.
5) Who are your programming mentors?
The guy I look to the most is Dave Kelly in Nashville at WKDF. He is the foremost authority for Country radio. We are very lucky to have this guy in our company and I am very lucky to have his number. And Greg Thomas from WBEI. Working with him is a great treat for me. He knows programming inside and out and he has really helped me get a total grasp on programming a radio station.
6) Who's your favorite air/personality not on your air staff?
Has to be my friend Lon Helton. What a guy. I listened to his show growing up and I take every opportunity to let him know what a huge influence he has been on my career. He actually takes my call. Thanks Lon!
7) What is your favorite radio station outside of your own market?
Has to be WIVK. Not because they are a Citadel station, but because they are so creative with their programming and contests. They've won a ton of awards to backup what they are doing. Being a Crimson Tide fan, I try to stay away from Knoxville, but when I'm in the area I always listen to them.
8) What's your take on current music? Is it as good as say, six months ago? Better than it was? Same? Elaborate please!
I think the Country format is exploding all over the place. The music is better now than it has been in 2 or 3 years and the recent trends show it. I think I read an article in R&R that said Country music was as hot now as it was in the booming 1990's. I'm not a fan Country artists who make special versions of their songs for other formats, but I'm glad we have new fans and I have to thank artists like Lee Ann Womack, Faith Hill and Shania Twain for that. And Keith Urban to some degree.
9) In your opinion, what is the greatest song ever that never made it as a hit?
Shooter Jennings: "4th Of July" What a song, what a song. Shooter will be one the greatest artist that we'll never appreciate. Much like a guy named Chris LeDoux.
10) Favorite artist that you have met?
Diamond Rio without question! I've been a huge fan of theirs for so many years. They played a local festival a few years ago. I was hospitalized a few days before the concert and I told the doctors, "I don't care what you have to do but I am going to that show." I was released the day of the show and I got to hang out with them backstage and introduce them. It was a great night.
Bonus Questions
1) Do you read...everything? Books, Magazines, etc. Nothing? What's your favorite reading material?
R&R, Cigar Aficionado, and any biography. I love true stories.
2) Do you have Musical Guilty Pleasures?
Oh yes�Kid Rock & Eminem. Their music is pure emotion. I love it.
3) You are on a desert island...what 5 CDs are in you portable disc player?
Rascal Flatts "Feels Like Today"
Chris LeDoux "20 Original - The Early Years"
Toby Keith "Honky Tonk University"
Shooter Jennings "Put The O Back In Country"
Diamond Rio "Greatest Hits"
4) Describe your favorite meal?
B-B-Q, baked beans, cole slaw and a big piece of Lemon Ice Box pie.
