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?

Buster Satterfield, Q102: Elvis Duran. Women who rock: Angi Taylor and Katie Sommers and a classic personality, George McFly.

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.

Bartel, WKTU: Elvis Duran, Scott Shannon, Broadway Bill Lee, Hollywood Hamilton and Casey Kasem.


Jagger, WKSS: Maxwell from Z100, is one of the best all-around personalities on the air. He’s great at being real, great at Pop culture, always knows the right vibe to give off. Rick Dees was always really good at presenting theater-of-the-mind type shows with different characters. Casey Kasem is legendary and many of us got into the business based on his love of radio and the music.

Mike “OD” O’Donnell, WKRZ: Ryan Seacrest because of his multi-media exposure, he produces his own shows, he’s on TV, radio. He could give a really good perspective for what it’s like on just about any type of broadcast platform. Also, my afternoon guy on KRZ Jeff Walker. He’s been doing this in the same day-part on the same radio station for forty years and he could teach them a few things about longevity.

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.

 

Java Joel, WAKS: Larry Lujack, Howard Stern, Jackson Armstrong, Terry Young, Broadway Bill Lee.

Matt Johnson, KSLZ: It really depends on what direction the personality is trying to develop into. The confidence and playfulness of Steve Harvey. The vulnerability and “connection to the music” of Jimmy Fallon. Howie Mandell’s playful, yet dramatic nature on Deal Or No Deal. Casey Kasem’s ability to create an effective tease. The strong, guiding feel that Oprah brings to her presentation. Howard Stern’s unparalleled ability to research his guests and then create a space where they are comfortable sharing.

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.

Randi West, WRMF: Radio is about two things: storytelling and entertainment. Classic: Howard Stern for storytelling, no one does better interviews or tells a story better and is more entertaining. Current: Bert Show does a good job at storytelling as well. Entertaining: Classic Bob Dumas. Current: Jason Pennington from KVJ Show (he makes me laugh out loud regularly). I need to also mention The Greaseman, great in both areas.

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.

Chris Michaels, FM100: A few that come to mind are: Paul “Cubby” Bryant, Howard Stern, Broadway Bill Lee, Elvis Duran, Dave Smiley, Randi West, Lazlo, and Ron Olson.

Rod Phillips, iHeartMedia: There were so many great ways to “do radio.” On the classic front, we can still learn from Greaseman, Rick Dees, Greg Thunder, Tone E Fly, George McFly, Gerry House, Eddie Fingers, John Boy & Billy (still doing it), Bob & Tom and the famous Wolfman Jack. I also want to give a shout-out to all of the WDJX DJs from the ‘80s that shaped my on-air career! Todays’ best communicators include, but not limited to, Elvis Duran, The Breakfast Club (all of ‘em), The Bobby Bones Show (all of ‘em), Angie Ward, Angi Taylor, Brooke Taylor, Wazz, Sam Diggedy, Delilah, Matty, Dollar Bill, Terry Meiners, Dave Ryan, Lauri DeYoung, Mikey & Bob, and SO many more. There are some folks here that will be mad I didn’t mention, they’re awesome too!

Jonathan Shuford, WRVW: Probably wouldn’t have them listen to personalities from years ago because the expectations have changed. Some of the best current morning personalities are Elvis Duran, Ellen K, Bobby Bones & the Breakfast Club. Some of the best post-morning personalities would be Gabby Diaz, EJ, Elizabethany, Colt Parkey, Theresa & Klinger. There are a TON more that I don’t have room to mention.

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