WWCD (CD102.5)/Columbus is one of the last truly independent radio stations in the country, spending over two decades on the cutting edge of the Modern Rock format. The station has gone through some upheaval in recent years, with the passing of its beloved PD Andyman Davis in the summer of 2010. WWCD also moved its frequency down the dial to 102.5, rebranding from its longtime CD101 name to CD102.5. For this week’s eQB Cover Story, PD Lesley James spoke to FMQB about her unique experiences running a station with such rich history, as well as her thoughts on the Modern Rock format in 2013.
Lesley James
By Joey Odorisio
One of the last truly independent radio stations in the country, Modern Rock mainstayWWCD (CD102.5)/Columbus has spent over two decades on the cutting edge of music. The station has gone through some upheaval in recent years, with the passing of its beloved PD Andyman Davis in the summer of 2010, and its frequency moving down the dial to 102.5 (rebranding the station from its longtime CD101 name to CD102.5). CD102.5 was even recently the focus of a major CNN feature on the state of radio. Current PD Lesley James spoke to FMQB about her unique experiences running a station with such rich history.
Let’s start with your radio history – how did you end up as PD of one of the most respected Modern Rock stations in the country?
CD102.5 has been my only radio gig. I was a Guest DJ back in 2004. Every Friday, we invite a listener to take over the airwaves for an hour and play their favorite songs. After my hour of fame, I met the one, the only Andyman and passed along my resume. I said, “Andy, I grew up listening to this radio station. I’ve gotta work for you guys!” He laughed at me and said, “Honey, we’re a small independent radio station. I don’t need to look at a resume. I liked what I heard.” Within a month I was training to be on-air and officially became a weekend personality in late January of 2005. I moved to the mid-day slot within seven months.
After Andyman passed away in July 2010, our owner Randy Malloy called me in and basically told me that the PD job was mine to lose. I have been handling programming and afternoon drive duties for almost three years!
Instead of traditional MD’s, you have a unique structure at CD102.5 with your Music team. Can you elaborate on this concept?
Since CD102.5 is a small independent radio station with about 30 employees, we all wear multiple hats. The music team is something that Andyman implemented over five years ago. He wanted to try something different and brought in a few staffers that were committed to the weekly music meetings and assigned each member to call times with record reps. In recent years the music team has morphed into a group of staffers that are a sounding board for new music.
What separates CD102.5 from the rest of the pack in the format? Especially as the Alt format has “lightened up” in recent years and moved closer to where your station already was musically.
We play a massive amount of new music (40+ currents). Not only do we take a chance on new talent, but we commit and give it time to develop with listeners. We also play deep Alt/Rock gems, and not just 90s gold records. We dive into classic cuts fromThe Cure, David Bowie, The Clash, Ramones, Talking Heads, Siouxsie and the Banshees, New Order, The Replacements,Depeche Mode, Elvis Costello, and more. Our playlist is very diverse and bold. We generally play over 800 different songs each week.
Photo Credit: Cary Whitt
Can you discuss CD102.5’s signature Big Room shows and Summerfest?
Our Big Room sessions give listeners a chance to get up close and personal with their favorite artists! There are about 40 winners with an artist playing a stripped down three song set with DJ/artist Q&A in between songs live on-air. The session is approximately 20-25 minutes, with an artist meet & greet immediately following the session. The performance is filmed for our station website content and recorded for playback during our specialty “Big Room Brunch” show Sunday mornings from 9-11. Past performers have included Muse, Oasis, The Black Keys,Mumford and Sons, Phoenix, Vampire Weekend, Queens of the Stone Age, Arctic Monkeys, Tegan and Sara, Cold War Kids, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and more. (You can check out the archive here: http://cd1025.com/the-big-room)
Summerfest is not only the radio station’s birthday celebration, but also one of two annual “listener appreciation” shows we present where we bring in top notch national talent for less! On August 24, we’re celebrating twenty-three years with co-headliners Matt & Kim and Cold War Kids, plus Ra Ra Riot, Smith Westerns, J. Roddy Walston & the Business, Cayucas, Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. For the first time ever, we’re expanding the show to 10,000 fans and making it more “festival-like” than ever before with local DJ sets, local comedians, and a live performance by Columbus’ most popular drag queen Nina West. Tickets are only $15.
What are your thoughts on Modern Rock format in 2013?
It helps that the format is thriving right now with amazing talent and diversity, plus almost every heavy hitter has or is about to release something new. It’s exciting and just when I think it can’t get any better this year, Nine Inch Nails decides to come back and release one hell of a track!
In the past few months, I’ve interviewed a few Alt programmers working for smaller/independent ownership. How important is this aspect of CD102.5 to you?
Working for truly one of the last locally owned and operated radio stations in the country means the world. Being small and independent, allows us to be more like a family and is the driving force to keep the dream alive!
You mentioned Andyman a few times so far. Tell me about the ways the station has honored his legacy.
Andyman was CD101/CD102.5! It’s hard to believe that we lost him almost three years ago and there’s not a day that goes by that he isn’t brought up in conversation. We try to keep his spirit involved in everything we do. Most recognizably, there’s the annual pledge drive, the “Andyman-A-Thon,” which Andy helped to start over 20 years ago. Every December, Andy would take over the airwaves for 48 straight hours to raise money for children’s charities in the Columbus community. (Find out more here:http://cd1025.com/about/in-the-community/andyman-a-thon)
When it came to programming, if Andy was passionate about something, he took the chance and played it. Andyman helped to break tons of artists across the country and supported the local music scene. As his successor, I have continued to take the risks that Andy took.
What are the big hits this summer for you? What songs are breaking now at CD102.5 that you’re ahead of the curve on currently?
CD102.5 summer hits: Daft Punk “Get Lucky,” Fitz & The Tantrums “Out Of My League,” Atlas Genius “If So,” Foals “My Number,” and The Features “This Disorder.”
CD102.5 breaking now: Cayucas “High School Lover,” Jake Bugg “Lightning Bolt,” Palma Violets “Best of Friends,” Smith Westerns “Varsity,” Jagwar Ma “Man I Need,” and Parquet Courts “Borrowed Time.”
[eQB Content By Joey Odorisio]
