Straight From The Mouth
The Morning Mouth's May Interview with Bob Dumas
(Reprinted by permission; Copyright © 2007 Talentmasters Inc.)
Who makes up "The Showgram?
Mike Morse has been with me for almost 4 years as producer and is awesome!
He has the toughest job on the show, putting up with me after the show!
Kristen has just been on the show for about 7 months and will be a star one
day! People love her! Jon is our asst. producer and is a detail guy. He's
been there for about the last 3 months.
Lot of years in Raleigh. What's your next milestone?
July 4 of this year will be my 15th year anniversary at G105.
Your show is rare in that you've had your share of left, but it
doesn't appear you missed a beat. How did you manage that and also, are you
sticking now with the name Bob and The Showgram?
I'm really lucky that our numbers have been great consistently. The show
runs on the principle of "A Dear, A Dick and A Dork" It's all I know how to
do well. I'm a great Dick. I think as long as I can keep that formula we'll
be fine.
Okay, you've been called into the boss' office more than once.
Since the Janet Jackson (flop), have you visited there less?
I really hate getting bitched at after the show! I'm really lucky in that
we now have a great combination of managers in our market. Randi West is our
PD and one of the most passionate, fun, "talent friendly" PDs I've ever had,
and Chris Shebel is our OM and is always calm, level headed and a big fan of
our show, but many PDs/OMs are just trying to cover their ass and couldn't do
what most morning hosts do if their life depended on it. There's one crucial
aspect that most managers in the "ass chewing" position don't have...
personality. I think "personality" and "being overly-cautious" as a talent
don't mix. I don't know everything about radio, and I'm certainly not the
best in this business, but I do know more about my show than anyone else. I
tell the powers that be, you trust me to get great numbers consistently,
that's why you hired me. Look out for me when I need you, I'll look out for
you when you need me and we'll make a shit load of money for a long time to
come. So, far it's worked!
Was there a time when after you did something on the air and got
busted, you said to yourself, "Uh oh, I've blown it this time?"
I try not to worry about losing my job, although every once in a while
I'll get a "Uho, this is not good" feeling after something happens, but
nothing ever comes from it.
Closest you came to ever leaving Raleigh?
Over the past 15 years I've been approached by stations in Houston, DC,
Atlanta, etc., but things were never right. Contractual timing or money or
whatever. But the closest I ever came to thinking about leaving G105 was to
another interview station in our market. The fact is though Clear Channel has
always given me just about everything I have ever wanted. I've got my own
studio and screener room. I've got a 40-foot Silver Eagle tour bus just for
my show. I've got a great staff and I make a great living. and I love the
people that live here in North Carolina. What was it I was supposed to want
again?
How many owners, PDs since you arrived there?
Since I've been here in 1992, I've have 10 PDs, 4 OMs, 6GMs, 3 female
members of the show, 4 producers, 4 assistant producers and I've played
everything from Billy Cyrus to Ludicrous over the years. But never doubt
yourself. A good dick joke wins every time.
Do you and your PD have regular sit-downs?
No. After every show I go into Randi's office and we talk about up coming
contests or what ever on the show and I might ask what she thought about a
particular part of the show and she gives me feedback, but that's about it.
First morning show (or jock) that caught your attention?
Ross and Wilson, and then Randy Miller both on Z93 in Atlanta now that was
funny!
Person who gave you your first big break?
I was working at KHFI in Austin doing mornings and was miserable there. I
had decided to get out of radio period and move back to Atlanta to work in my
family's business. Randy Lane called me to come interview for the G105
opening and I said no 2 or 3 times before I finally agreed to come. Best
decision of my life. Ever since then I've been a big fan of Randy and doesn't
he look great to be in his 70s. Randy, how do you do it?
Did you have another job before radio?
I worked at Bennigan's for two weeks before I realized I'm not a people
person.
What is it that motivates you most?
My wife kicking me in the side at 4am so she has more shopping money and
the fact that I'm still in love with the same business I fell in love with at
10 years old.
You're on a CHR station, as you've gotten older what's your trick
for keeping your show ageless?
Well, we are #1 18-34 persons, much of that has to do with keeping the
players on the show young. Jon our asst producer is 22, Kristen is 27 and
Mike are 32 and I'm the dinosaur at 40 but they help us relate to new music
and club scenes, etc. Our person 24-54 numbers do well (usually #1 or #2) and
most of that has to do with a lot of people who have been with us through
their demos. I get tons of calls who start by saying "I've been listening to
you since I was in high school" now they are married with a good job and
still listen... I feel old!
Radio person you'd most like to spend a day with?
Probably Jeff and Jer. I've always been a huge fan of theirs and I think
they are some of the most creative folks on radio!
If getting them weren't an object, which guest would you most want
to interview?
Howard J. Marshall... well you said if getting them were no object!
What would be your first question?
What's the first thing you said to Anna Nicole when she arrived in hell?
Favorite perk (free car, blackberry, once-a-month massage) in your
agreement?
Honestly there are no "perks" in my deal except they agree to send the
whole show to Morning Show Bootcamp each year.
In all your years on the air, which 2 or three bits do you consider
your all-time best?
The best NTR event we've ever had is SlawSlam. This year will be the 10th
year we've done it and we have about 3000 listeners packed in an arena/bar
with 600 gallons of cole slaw and a female wrestling competition. The
specialty matches are the best! Over the years we've had midgets, amputees,
blind guys, a 400lb + category, new wife vs. old wife and so much more. It's
a true show and everybody talks about it for months to come.
Next thing I'm proud of is Merry XXXmas. Nude listener pictures where they
cover up their kibbles and bits with holiday items. We also been doing this
for about 12 or so years and this year we had more than 8 million page views
in 3 weeks. Doing a show in the dirty dirty south has it's advantages! Other
folks in our company have tried to duplicate it but it doesn't come close to
the original.
Worst and best day in your radio career?
Worst day I accidentally said the f-word on a show in Austin twice in one
day... pre-delay years. I got a few days off for that one. Best day probably
each year when we do our annual fundraiser for Make-A-Wish, Pennies From
Heaven. We've raised a little more than 2 million dollars for them and it
feels good to do something positive in this business and not look for a
promo.
Why didn't NC make it to the final four?
Basketball! They play basketball here? I should look into that.
Read previous Morning Mouth interviews.
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