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October 9, 2020
If you were instructing a class of young air-talent students, which current and classic personalities would you use as examples of effective and entertaining communicators?
Jeff Hurley, iHeartMedia: I actually do this a few times a year with some college groups. I ask them to critically listen to several hosts and focus on one area they excel in. Elvis Duran: how to effectively define roles on a multi-person show. Howard Stern: having deeper conversations with guests. Rush Limbaugh: exclusively targeting your P1 listener. Ryan Seacrest: making the guest the ‘star’ of the conversation. Dan Lebatard: creating a culture within a show. Bobby Bones: finding positive vibes. The Home Shopping Network: How to engage with callers. Buzz Knight, Buzz Knight Media: In the present there are so many to list so in full disclosure I know I am leaving many out. Here are a few that come to mind. Dave & Chuck the Freak at WRIF, Preston & Steve at WMMR, Elvis Duran, Chaz & AJ at WPLR. In the past, the late Jay Thomas, Charles Laquidara (WBCN WZLX). In the past and present category somewhere has to be Stern.
Dom Theodore, Radio Animal Media Strategies: There are many, some that come to mind: Orlando & The Freakshow, Scotty Gunther, Broadway Bill Lee, Mojo in the Morning, MJ Morning Show, Beau The Jammer, Mike & Carla, The Nuthouse (Tampa), Buster, Evan Paul, and Lisa Paige just to name a few. Bob Patrick, WXLK: Howard Stern, Broadway Bill Lee and why not ME! I’m having fun and I’m confident, and Bob Burke.
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Java Joel, WAKS: Larry Lujack, Howard Stern, Jackson Armstrong, Terry Young, Broadway Bill Lee.
Rick Vaughn, KENZ: Cubby, Angi Taylor, Stern, The Greaseman, Carson Daly, Angie Martinez, Adam Carolla, Charlamagne. Valentine, WBHT: Elvis Duran for the entertainment value, and he knows how to run a show. He upgrades the game of everyone on his team. He knows how to keep you hooked and raises the FOMO factor. I still think JoJo at KIIS is one of the best of all-time with staying relevant and cool with his audience. Jammer, WEZB: Terry “Motormouth” Young and Elvis Duran.
Lee Abrams, mediavisions: Here’s a range of different Top 40 styles, sticking with pre 1970 because it was the golden era of personality. I think this is a good short cross section that displays radio magic. Alan Freed WJW 1955, pure historical; Dick Biondi WLS 1962, wild night-guy; Dan Ingram WABC 1969, personable; The Real Don Steele KHJ 1965, efficient excitement; Rick Shaw WQAM 1966, teen piper; Bob n’ Ray WINS 1958, the original morning guys; Ron Britain WCFL 1967, production madman; Johnny Holliday KYA 1966, solid citizen; Jack Armstrong CHUM 1967, screamer.
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Josh Wolff, WAEB: Mikey & Big Bob at Kiss in Pittsburgh. Excellent on-air show and great social media engagement. I’ll also do a “cheap plug” for our morning show at B104 in Allentown and give a shout-out to Mike & Steph. They’re super-local, relatable and very engaged in the community. Max Volume, KOZZ: Howard Stern, Bob Coburn, Jim Ladd. Kobe, WZNE: I’d encourage them to look at the following. Howard Stern for interviewing celebs, he’s the best hands-down. Elvis Duran, on how to be the perfect lead/quarterback of a multi-personality show. Raph at KIIS in LA, his energy stands out in today’s landscape. He’s a good standard for what solo jocks should sound like. |
Next Week’s Question Of The Week:
What programming fundamentals transcend specific formats?
e-Mail your responses to: jodorisio@deanemediasolutions.com or bburke@deanemediasolutions.com