So here's part one of the informational interview I conducted last week with Director of Programming and Content at Key103.1, Dave Gunning.
One a typical day what do you do?
Well, my day starts pretty early, around 8:30am or so. I'm part of the mid-day show, and I also deal with voice tracking for the show, emails for clients and other staff, work closely with sales, promotions. I also make sure there's enough people to staff for the next day, as well as review syndicated shows that come in the mail, as well as schedule music for the next day or so. If there are any technical issues with any of our equipment, I make sure it's fixed.
What led you to this position?
Well when I was little I'd always wanted to be a DJ of a radio station, but my parents always told me that wasn't realistic and that I could never have a career in music. But before this, I worked for an insurance company in the World Trade Center, and upon 9-11 I was one of the first cut, since I was one of the newest employees. I had actually been wanting an out, since I soon realized after taking the job that I hated it. Then I began pursuing music and radio, and after several internships and jobs elsewhere I stumbled upon this radio station.
What part of this job do you find most satisfying? most challenging?
As a whole, no day is the same. I play music and work with the same people, yes, but we are all so different and creative, it's never boring. But foremost, how music affects people and being able to contribute to that is amazing. There's a regular caller who at one point had lost a family member, well she called just to say that our station always put a smile on her fast. Stuff like that's just incredible.
Most challenging would have to be dealing with scrutiny from people. We always have to be mindful of the material we put on our show and what we say when we are on aire. The FCC being relatively close makes it even tougher.
What entry-level jobs are best for learning as much as possible?
Internships, definitely. They are invaluable. You get a chance to learn anything and everything there is to know about a radio station and the music industry.
How do you see jobs changing in the future?
It already has greatly. Just looking at how technology has affected our everyday lives, it's amazing. One big thing is the change to out-sourcing part of our shows, which affects the local atmosphere of a radio station like this. You aren't able to get traffic reports, for example, that affect people who listen to us. It loses a sense of the community in that.
Do you have any feelings about the recent talks about paying royalties to performers for playing their music on your station?
Oh yes, but i don't see it working. A few years ago this was in the works for online stations. It didn't happen but if it had, those stations would have been gone by now. Smaller stations especially, just can't afford something else to pay. The economy definitely plays into that.
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