Posted by Bud on September 02, 2009 at 19:30:35:
NAME: Taylor J.
POSITION: PD/MD/weekend personality
STATION: KSLZ/KATZ
MARKET: St. Louis
OWNER: Clear Channel
(All Access)
Please outline your radio career so far:
I was reared on great Top 40 radio of the '80s and early '90s in Chicago (B96, Z95, WLS-FM). I worked on my high school radio station, WHSD, 88.5FM/Hinsdale, IL. I went to Columbia College Chicago and worked at WCRX/88.1 -- Chicago's Underground -- in college. I interned and produced at WBBM (B96), WBBM-A (Newsradio 780) and WUSN (US*99)/Chicago. I worked part-time/weekends at WBVS (100.7The Bus)/Joliet, IL and WDEK/DeKalb, IL. I ran the farm reports and Sunday morning religious show at WLBK/DeKalb, IL (Full Service). My first full-time radio job was doing the morning show at WFXW-A/St. Charles, IL (Classic Hits) in a basement. At 9a, I went upstairs and did sales out of a garage.
In 1999, I moved to Quincy, IL. I did mornings, middays and eventually afternoons at WQCY. I did news on Staradio's other properties -- KZZK, WTAD and WCOY. I also began programming the station, too. That format was Hot AC.
In 2003, I moved to St. Louis, hired as the MD/midday personality at KSLZ (Z107-7). In 2007, I became PD of Z's sister station, Urban KATZ (100.3 The Beat). In 2009, I was asked to step in and program KSLZ, too.
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
Amazing! I went to Columbia College/Chicago because I was serious about getting into radio. At Columbia, it's all hands-on, but most importantly you are taught by people working in market #3. At the end of my second year, I ended up in Karen Hand from B96's Radio News writing class. I used to sit in the back and not say a whole lot, but I turned in my work on time and I did okay.
At the end of the semester, she met with us all individually and she said, "You get it. Meet me at B96 tomorrow morning at 3:30a if you want to be my intern." I don't know if I've, to this day, been more excited. B96? I did a decent job at the internship because she hired me as her producer after that. It was an amazing experience.
I left because I wanted to be on-air and needed to get experience. If I could go back in time, I would've spent more time with Todd and Erik because they are among my favorite programmers. I was intimidated, to say the least.
2) What led you to a career in radio?
Music. I was exposed to music in the womb. My father's part-time job was as a guitar player in a local Chicago band. I didn't have the attention span or concentration, or most importantly, the talent to pursue music myself. I always gravitate toward the radio to fulfill my need for music! Surprisingly, I was pretty shy growing up. I wasn't sure radio would work out, but I went to college and gave myself one semester to see if it really was for me. It was.
3) How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?
Competitive! Four Urbans, two Countrys, an Adult Top 40 we share a lot of listeners with, and a lot of Rock. St. Louis is called a big small town. St. Louis pride runs deep. Everyone likes to feel connected with each other. The stations that do the best at connecting with the community, do the best. For goodness sake, the #1 station is called the Arch! STL Pride, baby!
4) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?
Honestly, I began radio in the mid-'90s when consolidation was heating up. B96 was my first and only job where I had one (or two, toward the end) things to do. I was hired at my first full-time job as morning show producer/co-host/sales person/weekends. That morphed into morning show producer/co-host/PM drive/weekends/receptionist (after I figured out that I hated sales!). I've always done a lot. I don't know if I ever figured I would be running two radio stations in St. Louis!
5) What is your favorite part of the job?
I love when an idea comes to fruition. I'm actually on my way to a Trey Songz show that we put together, on the Urban station. I just got a call that 50 to 60 girls are standing outside, all dressed up, an hour before doors open. It's Tuesday. Where did they hear about this? How did they know they should dress up? 100.3 The Beat! We were able to drive listeners to the radio station with this event, too, for 1) more info on the show and 2) giving away a private meeting with Trey. The web content tomorrow will be off the chain, too. The entire staff worked together to make it happen. And I LOVE music! Music is what led me to radio. I love the St. Louis scene and being able to get up close and personal with some of the phenomenal artists in Nellyville.
6) What is the most challenging part of the job?
It's tough right now. Thank God, I love a challenge. We're in this new PPM world, the economy is tight, technology has changed listener habits, everything is ultra-competitive. I see my sales counterparts fighting for every penny. We're fighting for every listener. This is the toughest time. I want to do everything and help everyone succeed to the best of all of our abilities. It's challenging coming up with ideas that are going to benefit both sales and programming in this ever-changing world.
7) If you could add one full-time position to your budget right now, what would it be?
I would love working with an assistant. I have NEVER had one. In a dream world, I would like a life assistant, too. I am a workaholic who doesn't always tie up those little life "loose ends." I come up with a million improvements a day I want to make to the stations, but I need someone to begin execution while I move on to the next project. I know, just a dream...
8) What music do you listen to when you're not working?
I've been cleaning out my tubs and tubs of old CDs lately. Old Skool ('90s) R&B is my favorite. Okay, I'll admit it, the CD in my car right now is Vanessa Williams' Greatest hits. Random! LOL.
9) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
I'm a pop culture junkie and we're the soundtrack to life! I love being able to take what's big and bring it to our listeners. Even the challenges we're facing now are fun to be going through. Radio is here to stay. I guess, the biggest thing is my love for music! I would be devastated to not be involved with music anymore.
10) What advice you would give people new to the business?
We need new people! If you know what makes 6-24-year-olds tick, we need ya'! We're learning how different listening patterns are than we thought. We're breaking the mold and we need younger people in here who know how to rebuild it. What would make you love radio more? Tell us! The record industry needs you, too!
Bonus Questions
Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?
Janet Jackson! I loved Janet before she had hits. I was so obsessed with Michael that I needed to know everything about him. That included his family. When she started making hits, forget it, she had me at "give me a beat!" I've never met her and it really sucks that she's canceling concert tours these days. Just do a small show, Janet, and let me go backstage and meet you!