Straight From The Mouth
The Morning Mouth's December Interview with Yankee Pete
(Reprinted by permission; Copyright © 2004 Talentmasters Inc.)
How and when did you and Ace & TJ connect?
At KQID in Alexandria, Louisiana in '94. I had been working at a small
station near my hometown in northwestern Illinois for about 5 years. I had
family in Louisiana, so that's where I decided to look for my first
move-away-from-home-job. Ace & TJ had just started doing mornings and they
hired me to do afternoons. I started to help out with stunt boy type of stuff
and they said "someday when we can hire a producer, you're going to be it." I
left the station at the end of '94, we stayed in touch and in August of '97
they called with a job offer since they finally had the budget for a
producer. I joined them while they waited out a non-compete in Birmingham,
then before we went on there, the offer was made to come to Charlotte and
we've been here since April of 1998.
Did you set out to be a producer?
WLS-AM non-stop. Those guys were superstars. I wanted to be one of those
superstars. I tried, and it didn't work, it didn't take long to realize that
I'm more organized than creative. My name is probably not going to be on a
show, but I love the feeling of helping someone be great, working behind the
scenes. And being able to play on the air in a secondary role provides the
best of both worlds.
How did you learn to be a producer?
I don't think I ever have. I just listen, pay attention to what's going
on, try to figure out what the needs of show are, and do my best to fulfill
those needs. And I share, that's probably the best trick I've learned. I've
gotten packages from producers who send me stuff that the hosts are doing on
the air and tell me "That was my idea, "My bit, "My stunt, etc.
What's the trick of not letting your ego get in the way when others
getting the credit for your ideas?
First of all, I may be the exception to the rule, but most of the ideas on
the Ace & TJ Show come from Ace & TJ. They're two of the most creative,
involved, hands-on hosts that work in morning radio. They're the
bit-generators, and I can help execute them. Obviously, that's makes it
easier to not feel bad if I don't get any credit for something that was my
idea. Second, I do think it's key to not let that get in the way of your job.
If a producer is at a point where it's really bothering them, it's time to
get out and find a new show or start your own. Third, if your heart is really
into it, you've got to work as a team -- both the producer(s) and host(s).
There's also a huge difference in credit on the show and credit off the show.
A host needs to realize that even if a bit was 100% the producer's idea and
they take credit on the air, that's cool. But in the office, in front of
others (other show staff, PD, etc), if the host recognizes the producer for
coming up with the idea and making it sound great for THE TEAM, those small
compliments go a long way. And finally, remember, if you're complaining
because you're not getting enough credit for the bits that work, you also
need to be prepared to get burned on the air for every bit that tanks.
Name three qualities that any producer worth his or her salt must
have.
Organization, simply to keep your shit together. Flexibility, to be
willing to get out of the norm and take a completely different course when
the show takes that immediate direction-change. And an understanding of human
nature, for both callers and members of the show and how to react to their
emotions.
Finish these sentences: I know a bit is working when _____. And, I
know a bit is tanking when _____.
It's working when the phones won't stop ringing. It's working when we're
more than 10 minutes late for a break. It's working when the police and/or
Secret Service show up. It's tanking when the phones are dead. It's tanking
when the set-up has to be repeated more than twice. It's tanking when the
police and/or Secret Service show up.
Do you ever catch any flack about not sharing an "A" guest with a
cluster station, or letting another show ride your lead on a fundraiser,
etc.?
Never. We have been approached about doing multi-station events in the
market and we bow out. There's no reason that the #1 show should share an
event with any other station or show. No exceptions.
In the spirit of Christmas, as producer of both a local and
syndicated show, do you see yourself as Santa's helper, head reindeer or the
guy who comes up with the gift list?
Santa's helper. As I said earlier, Ace & TJ are some of the most creative
hosts working in morning radio. Most of the prep for the show comes from
them. I, along with Ryan and Angie, are ready to find the tools they need to
execute the bit. Whether it's a story, a caller, or 15 blind knife-wielding
midgets that can juggle small puppies.
As a producer for both a local and syndicated show, what prompts the
most stress?
Corporate lawyers who want rules written up for games and bits. On-site
broadcasts and the technical difficulties that can arise. Corporate policies.
And specifically, inside the show, there are times where there can be a lot
of indecisiveness amongst the members of the show. When brainstorming,
there's no such thing as a bad idea, but let's face it, sometimes there ARE
bad ideas and we have a hard time telling each other when to give up on an
idea. We tend to find ourselves debating a small issue for an hour before
deciding to do it or scrap it.
First Stern, now Karmazin -- you're an Infinity guy, what's your
take on all of this?
Mel Karmazin is going to bring more unique sponsorships to Sirius, not
commercial content right away, but things like "this hour of Sirius is
brought to you by..." In the early 80's, we all got sucked into the
philosophy that we should PAY for cable TV because it would be
commercial-free. Remember that line of bullshit? Now we pay more and more
every year and don't question it. I think satellite radio will undergo the
same evolution over a period of the next 10 years and Mel will be ingenious
in leading that effort and he will bring more non-subscriber revenue to
Sirius before XM can turn their heads and figure out what he did.
How do you manage local fundraisers. benefits, etc. in a
syndication model?
Grin Kids, our charity, is not just a local fundraiser, it's part of the
syndication. We've taken kids from other affiliate markets on the trip with
us. When we do fundraisers for that, we open it up to every station. Earlier
this year, there were some police officers killed in the line of duty in
Birmingham and our affiliate there was very involved in fundraisers and
memorials for the families. That's the type of thing that affects everyone,
that's something that we talk about on the network, there are many things
that people can (and will) feel a part of, no matter where it's happening.
Now a toughie: how much should a producer make?
You're right, that is tough. I've been waiting for other morning show
hosts to call me and let me know what they think I should make. My mobile
number is 704-965-4843. Really, I think you need to be very aware of what the
station rates are, know your ratings inside and out, take notes of the press
you've gotten, know what your show as a whole is bringing to the station.
Chances are you're the cash cow of the radio station. Know those numbers when
you're negotiating. It never hurts to have some current articles about how
good the economy is when your PD or GM starts giving you a sob story about
how bad its been. Does doing your own show ever cross your mind? I would
consider it, but it's not an immediate goal of mine. I think I know my
strengths and I know that I'm a strong sidekick on the air and I know that
I'm an excellent person to have working for a show behind the scenes. I don't
know that I wouldn't be able to bring those abilities to a host position, but
I'm happy with my role right now.
If Ace and TJ were up for a major award and it would only be decided
by one bit from your past, which one would you choose?
Most recently, I would pick "Ace & TJ's Lost In America". Two teams of
people dropped off at the Canadian border, no cash, no credit cards, no
transportation, racing back to the station. Not only did our producer Ryan
and intern Hoss do a great job leading the teams of listeners and bringing
the drama of the road to the air, it was great radio, an awesome TSL builder,
and just plain fun. Besides, both teams headed to NYC and got the show on
NBC's "Today Show." I'm easily entertained.
Do you have a Christmas wish?
For this interview to finally end! No, really, I'm not a big holiday kind
of guy. I just want to keep working, have a roof over my head and food to
eat.
Read previous Morning Mouth interviews.
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