September 17, 2021
Regarding lifestyle, cultural appeal and overall environment,
what’s your best/most favorite market you’ve ever worked in and why?
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Jagger, KCHZ: New York City! Aside from it being a great radio market and the best experience of my radio career, culturally you have just about everything at your fingertips. The city’s amazing! Java Joel, javajoelmurphy@gmail.com: I love it here in Cleveland/Northeast Ohio – Great people, restaurants, parks, festivals, shows, sports and a wonderful place to start a family. I ain’t leaving!
Jana Sutter, WXXL: Orlando of course! The weather’s fantastic and everyone’s always in a good summer mood. Plus, it’s also fun to watch the world visit here, so, you have to deal with those musical tastes and Pop cultural trends as well as what we do locally. It’s an interesting local, global market. Josh Wolff, WAEB: I’m just glad I’ve had the opportunity to work in some great markets throughout my career, they’re all special in their own way.
Kobe, WZNE: Pittsburgh! My family and I have really connected with this city and we consider it our second home. It’s very similar to my hometown of Rochester NY, just bigger with more big city perks. Also, one of the best sports cities in the country. Buzz Knight, Buzz Knight Media: I’ve been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in NYC. There’s nothing like it. I have a lifelong love affair with the city. Lee Abrams mediavisions : Part of it was the era, but Miami in the early 70’s was a magic time and a magical place. |
Erik Bradley, WBBM: Chicago is where I’ve spent most of my time. It has a diverse population, They love media and its stars. They are passionate people who love culture.
Mark Adams, KYLD/KIOI: Jonesboro, Arkansas. Do I really need to explain? Prima facie, this is a winning answer. Adam Rivers, WKCI: I’ve only ever worked in Connecticut so I have to say here! Lol
Toby Knapp, WASH: I’d have to say Tampa, although I indulged a bit too much in different, ahem, “parts” of said “lifestyle” while down there. However, hindsight being 20/20, it was a great market for being on the water, which I love, boating, which I love, the weather (aside from hurricanes) was typically amazing, it was big-city enough to have what you wanted from a city, minus the pretentiousness. Loved it. Matt Johnson, WPLW: Salt Lake City, hands-down! If you know, you know. If you don’t know, I’m not going to tell you.
Jill Strada, CMG Miami: I love this question because each market I’ve been has a special place in my heart. I truly love each market for different reasons, but if I have to pick one, it would be New York. The hustle of the city energized me, the market was full of my industry friends who motivated me to be better every day, the new music/new artist energy excited me, and my radio team at HOT 97 and 98.7 KISS-fm inspired me daily. I was blessed to work in that city, it’s given me memories I’ll never forget! Mike McVay, McVay Media: I’ve loved several cities for different reasons. Los Angeles was great because it’s the center of all creativity. Loved living in Louisville because the weather was mild, the people were friendly, and it was a good time in my life. Atlanta was probably my most favorite place to live because of the culture and how sophisticated the city is “Inside The Parameter.” Where I live now, west of Cleveland in a little community on the shores of Lake Erie, has been a great place to raise children and have a family, so I’d have to say where I live now. The gateway to the Midwest. Jeff Hurley, iHeartMedia: Hard to top Philly. The city has an incredible, larger-than-life personality that comes through in every call and event. |
Jonathan Shuford, WRVW: I’ve been fortunate to work in some really great markets with their own unique appeal, but I’d put Nashville up against any city in America. It’s such a cultural and musical epicenter that boasts a thriving local scene, a ton of “only in Nashville” opportunities, and no shortage of things to do no matter what your personal tastes demand.
R Dub, Z90: I haven’t moved around as much as most radio folk—and I’m definitely biased for many reasons—but Tucson, Arizona. A college town that’s close to the border, Tucson boasts some of the best food ever, great weather (outside of summer of course) and some of the most beautiful women in the world (it’s the Sonoran bloodline). Fight me. Leslie Whittle, KRBE: Has to be Houston. On the radio side, after being here so long and seeing all the changes in the station and the team we still have being so strong all the way through. It’s been very rewarding to maintain that level of excellence. Culturally, I love the diversity of this city. Everything from the sports scene to the theater and arts scene to the food scene. People don’t understand what a jewel this city really is. Jammer, WEZB: Las Vegas and New Orleans simple because it’s Vegas and New Orleans.
Valentine, WBHT: Miami! I love the vibe, the lifestyle, the energy, the Cuban coffee…and I even love the humidity! There’s something special about that city. It’s one of the most amazing cities in the country. Randi West, WRMF: It’s Raleigh, NC. It’s a tough one to explain but it has everything. Seasons, hospitality, economics, sports and the list goes on. Kevin Kash, WWEG/WIYY: I enjoyed the culture and excitement of working in Washington, D.C. Both locally and nationally on satellite radio. Although, I did also enjoy being near the ocean while I was at stations in Ocean City, MD. |
Brian Mack, WXXL: I truly loved them all. Cleveland was amazing, what a sports town! A bad reputation, but an amazing city in transition while the past continues to be part of its charm and theme. I still visit it to this day. I made some many lasting friendships there. I met my wife in Miami trying to buy property there. Still have many best friends there. Almost like being in another tropical country with a U.S. passport in the lower 48. Nashville requires no explanation. If you love food, music and mid-American history and culture, you’ll love it. Orlando is where I call home. Although Disney/Universal may be what everyone thinks of first, this city has a heartbeat of its own and continues to progress and develop in the coolest ways while still maintaining some history it’s aesthetic southern vibe.
Joey Brooks, WKSS: I’m from Boston and that was my first major market, so being in my hometown was a great place to be on the radio. Love the sports teams, and being close to friends and family were also big factors. Second favorite (without a doubt) was Philadelphia because of how awesome the listeners were and how great of a city it is. It’s very similar to Boston, but has several unique qualities that make it an awesome place to live and do radio.
Jon Zellner, iHeartMedia: There are three that stand out. Kansas City is the perfect family town, inexpensive, no traffic, great schools, good restaurants and plenty to do. Actually, a better place to live than visit. Washington DC, diverse, intelligent people, a slew of events and cultural activities, so much history, always something happening. New York is truly the center of the world and a melting pot of all people, shows, museums, art galleries, the best restaurants, nothing ever closes, easy to get around, and the energy is contagious!
Tommy Chuck, WFLZ: Tampa Bay, without question. The lifestyle on the west coast of Florida is incredible, which is why more people from all over the country are choosing to move here. The sports teams have earned us the name “Champa Bay” and things are only continuing to get better and better!
Rich Davis, KDWB: I have two very long-term markets and both are great cities. I loved Nashville. I spent eleven years there and two of my kids were been there. Great place to live. Culturally Minneapolis is so much different and has a depth that surprise people when they visit this town. It’s cool for me because it’s a really big town, and because it’s the Twin-Cities, it’s kind of spread out. You get to live in a big town without the big town hassles of traffic, plus the people are every nice.
Mike O’Donnell, WKRZ: For me, it’s not so much the market, it’s the station. I’ve been in Wilkes-Barre for fourteen years and it’s all about KRZ. I love 98.5KRZ, it’s my baby.
Rick Vaughn, KENZ: Moscow, ID and Spokane WA because they are home. Phoenix was special as my first top 20 market. Hard not to like San Diego. Hartford isn’t exactly sexy, but we had a great crew there and my wife and I started our family. We made our best friends and family in Philly. In Chicago I achieved every goal I had set for myself professionally. Atlanta didn’t make this list. Annnnd I am happy to say that we now live in my top pick. You’ll have to pry me out of Utah.
Bartel. WKTU: Obviously, Philly because it’s my hometown and where I got my start at Q102. Then my dream job in New York, #1 market at KTU! And Orlando, for the weather and where I met some great people who I consider a second family.
Dom Theodore, Radio Animal Media Strategies: Tampa and Detroit are my two favorite markets. Detroit is my hometown and there’s nothing like programming radio in your hometown. Tampa has been such a big part of my life and career through the years, and one of the most aggressive radio markets in the country.Next Week’s Question Of The Week:
Considering the unique duo of Elton John & Dua Lipa, what other classic/contemporary artist pairings would intrigue you?
e-Mail your responses to: jodorisio@deanemediasolutions.com or bburke@deanemediasolutions.com
