Posted by chicagomedia.org on February 20, 2008 at 09:24:23:
NAME: JulianOnTheRadio
POSITION: nights
STATION: WBBM B96.3
MARKET: Chicago, IL
COMPANY: CBS Radio
BORN: Alexandria, VA
RAISED: Falls Church, VA
WEBSITE: www.julianontheradio.com
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WWZZ/Washington DC-Promotions, Sales, Programming (overnights/swing/weekends)
WQPO/Harrisonburg, VA-nights
WVSR/Charleston, WV-nights
WNVZ/Norfolk-Virginia Beach-weekends, swing, interim late nights (for about 1 year)
WIHT/Washington DC
Voicetracking Stints Include: WAZR/Harrisonburg, VA - nights, and WKDZ/Ocean City-Salisbury, MD
WBBM/Chicago - nights
1. What was your last non-industry gig?
Oh God, please don't remind me. When I was in school I juggled two jobs, along with my Internship. I worked retail, and sold windows door to door. I absolutely dreaded going to work everyday and doing the exact same brainless, monotonous work for 6-8 hours, the next day REPEAT. Made me ask myself "What's the point of living"? Ok...maybe not that extreme
2. What Got You Interested In Radio?
Very weird I never really looked up to anyone when I was a young kid, and didn't even think about becoming a personality until I did my Internship for WWZZ/Washington, DC. I worked my way up to promotions, to sales, to programming, and working for Z104 DC's night jock Mathew Blades (now doing mornings at WKTI/). I absolutely fell in love with the fact that we could make such an impact on people on a personal level. I had an absolute blast doing street stunts for him, as well as being in the studio and really just absorbed how one would inject their personality into content, and entertainment. It's a great thing to be able to do that, and say what you're really feeling to a huge audience but not be judged visually, but rather verbally. PLUS, we make new friends, and talk with our regular ones daily on the radio.
3. What's your favorite aspect of being on-air?
I love the emotional impact we can have on our listeners. As cliche as that may sound, it is absolutely true. There is a BIG difference between having a personality and using it to create "fun, and broca" on the radio, opposed to just being in the background ramping up a 12 second song intro sharing with us the next few songs coming up. To create memorable moments on the radio that people remember is without a doubt my #1. Example, I walked into the Starbucks downtown a few weeks ago and overheard two employees talking about "the guy on at night on B96 who talks in a female voice, and meets guys on MySpace and gets them to sing to him on the radio", LOL. I will have people from all walks of life I meet on the street recite back a "Sticky Situation" segment they may of heard, or even when I talked about my father being ill and me feeling like I hit rock bottom. Nothing better than opening up yourself on the radio, along with entertaining and making them "want to listen".
4. What's the highlight of your career radio to date?
Well not sure if it's a highlight but definitely a moment I will never forget! One time we sent one of the guys helping me out back in DC to a local bookstore to HUMP his favorite authors. He was a big fan of Shel Silverstein, Stephen King, all of it. He goes up to the first rack of books sitting on a table and begins literally humping all the books shaking the table like an earthquake all the while loudly professing his profound love. It's being broadcasted on the radio thru cell phone. He literally ran out of the store being chased by security not ONLY thru the parking lot but he ended up running all the way back to the station all of it on the cell phone. The bookstore was like one mile down the road from the station. He literally bashed through the studio door and dropped to the ground. The next day management at the store wrote our promotions director a nice letter never to visit the store ever again.
Anything that is memorable for someone is a highlight for me. I've helped assist in raising $30,000 for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis. I have helped a poor mother scared for her daughter's life through tips on my show, and located her in the end and bring her back safely to her family. Personally, I remember trying out for American Idol a few years back in DC, after practicing for days, along with no sleep I ended up forgetting ALL the words and choking. It's funny because the judge than remarked "what is this a William Hung wannabee"? I'm actually insulted because I think I'm much better looking.
5. Some stations have clamped down on their jocks giving them a lot less time to talk. Have you felt that pinch at B-96?
Not really. My managers, Todd Cavanah and Erik Bradley knew what I did prior to me coming into the market. Not to mention I have always believed in what I do on the radio. It took awhile for me to gain that confidence but you have to believe in yourself, your skillset, and what you do on the radio. I can execute phoners up intros all night long, if I want too. I can stop down and do something very similar to morning show content wise as well. I'd say I have always done an "AM show at night executed, and with RESPECT to the music." I'm fully aware the words "stop down" are evil to most people. I say it depends on what you're doing at that time, and place. You're going to tell me when the NIU shootings went down you couldn't stop down, or had to do it in 7 seconds? You're servicing your community, and its local. Some nights I've stopped down more than you could ever imagine for a night show. Other nights I'll execute speed breaks/phoners into intros, and stopsets, and keep it tight (brevity with IMPACT). But the bottom line is I believe I'ts about ENTERTAINING your audience and relating to them well. If it's interesting time becomes secondary. Our ratings back it up. My first full book here, I increased the ratings substantially in my daypart in every single age cell. Recently, in our 2007 Fall Book we picked up an 11.7 for Dec 2007. Putting me at #2 18-34 (English Speaking), #2 Teens, and #2 18-34 Females. I actually have risen TSL..so they're staying longer.
6. Who do you consider your radio mentor(s)?
I consider my close "radio friends my mentors". People, who really were real and helped me through my years. Individuals I can always go too for honest, no BS advice. It's all about helping each other in this industry that we love.
Jeff Wyatt , my former RVP/Programming of Clear Channel/DC and PD of HOT 995, and now with UMansky, Wyatt and Zier Consultancy. He really gave me my "big break" into a major market even though I did not have the "years of experience on paper". He recognized my intense work ethic, and really motivated me and helped me train my mind to be creative, and think differently. His incredible coaching in regard to entertaining is beyond, and he pushed me to try things and understood there would be some failures, but you have to try in order to improve your craft. He is the best person I have ever met. And, I mean that past being a manager.
Mathew Blades at WKTI/Milwaukee. He is actually one of the main reasons I am in this business. I was his Intern when he was the hottest night jock in Washington DC at WWZZ. He is just the most natural communicator I've ever heard. This is where I learned the importance of being "real". He was as comfortable talking about something in his personal life that related to his demo, as he was executing a segment, or really making someone feel good about themselves and being genuine. No "radio shtick or gaga", the same person on-air, the same person off-air.
Mike Klein, now PD at WBVD/Melbourne, FL. Another great friend who helped me break into radio and will be the next major market PD. Why? Because his passion and worth ethic for radio are beyond words. Along the way, he has helped me to always target "local", and target specific content pieces that relate to your surroundings.
JNiice at Y100. We worked together back in DC and instantly clicked. He breaks the cliche of "what a radio jocks should sound and be like". He offers an incredible balance and outlook on things which has given me a different way to think. Intellectual, creative, and smart in a non-radio way.
Michael Newman, and Mark Adams at Radio Strategies. These two guys have always offered not only valuable career advice through the years, along with aircheck critiques but have offered up the real deal on improving my craft, as well as growing myself as an individual. When I say that I mean not only as to what you want to do, but they opened up my eyes in regard to the "business side" of this industry. Something very important to understand in regard to this industry.
Joe Rosati at Z100 in New York. He's known me since I've been trying to get on the radio. I remember he was in Boston at Star 93.7, and he actually took time critiquing my mock demos, and eventually my real ones. Great executor, and great guy.
Lastly, Todd Cavanah and Erik Bradley- These guys are like two peas in a pod! They are the best! They have given me the creative freedom to do what I think is smart, and benefits our audience. They are the consummate managers in the sense of not micro-managing. In a lot of ways they really are not managers, their not into "being stiff, and having set guidelines". One day, if I ever decide to get into management, I believe their style really is the most effective because they show mutual respect regardless of how high their position is. I definitely feel blessed to be working with these guys, and really look at them as friends I can bounce ideas off.
Props to more including these cats I got mad respect for, and have helped me along the way as well Frankie at KHTS, JoJo at WIOQ, Rayne at WNOU, KANNON at WRDW, JJ at Z100, Cat Collins at KQKS, Dan Hunt at WWKX, Dylan at KALC, Scotty Davis at WNOU, Don London at Entercom/Norfolk, Jon Zellner at XM, Jake Redman at Sirius, Sean Sellars at WSMW, John Thomas at Entercom/Rochester, Nikki Nite at KMVK, JJ at KMVK, Carmy Ferreri at The PD Page, Yaman Coskun at Yaman Air, Rik McNeil at KPLV and of course, the mighty Joel Denver at All Access.
7. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I see myself getting into a morning show, or possibly an afternoon show which allows for content. For awhile now, I have always had a morning show mentality though. A lot of what I think about content wise, I realize I cannot do in the evening daypart. Not because it is bad but mainly because the audience #1 cannot handle it at night maybe because of length, or because the content is maybe a bit too mature, or not as mass appeal relatable for the demo which skews younger at night. As we grow and mature, our thought process does as well.
8. What's your favorite part about living in Chicago?
I love the fact that there is just so much to do. The diversity here is incredible. I love the fact that Chicago is so vocal about everything and not scared to point out their views. Chicago to me is not conservative and I dig that. Loud, outspoken, passionate, and hard-working. Chicagoans love their radio. The shopping, food, and architecture are also incredible with businesses in LP, downtown, and malls everywhere. And, honestly I haven't even been able to experience half of what's on my list yet. This city gets crazy!
9. Any advice or words you have for people in considering getting into this industry?
Just like many people have said in the past work hard, and show how serious you are. Be tenacious, and don't think anything is below you. It seems harder than ever to come across the serious individual who is willing to do anything (overnight board-op shift. fill-in for the sick overnight board-op, fill-in for the AM show call screener, etc) for that one opportunity. Good things come to those who deserve it. Some people get lucky and work in their hometown for their entire career but I would say 99% do not and have to move around for their career, so wanting to only be in your hometown may limit you from opportunities. It was hard for me to accept being away from family who need me but it's the business. If this is truly what you love, show it through your work ethic and good people will notice, and appreciate you.
10. Your Thoughts on Syndication and VoiceTracking?
Well, I think its unfortunate someone has to lose their job. BUT, honestly speaking I do not believe you have to be local to win. It really comes down to the content factor. If the personality is relating, and offering something that the "live jock" isn't or cannot do than what does it matter where it's coming from? Example, I know Shelly Wade at Z100 is V/T in Boston and I am sure killing it. Kidd Kraddick, PK & The PlayHouse, The Z-Morning Zoo, among others. If the syndicated show is discussing a troubled teen who is pregnant yet drinks and smokes with no care for the child inside her, does it matter where the content is originating from? It's relatable and builds that bond with the listener. Now, obviously things such as tragic accidents, or things "local" to the area that does come into play but that's where Internet and prep come into play.
Bonus Questions
Sushi and sake or pizza and beer?
C'mon, that's obvious! Sushi and Sake! I'm Asian! Although, the sake always makes me red in the face, LOL.