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Time well spent with ...
Karen Jordan-Bland, APD/personality with WJMZ-FM (107 Jamz) in Greenville, S.C. ...
I am delighted to showcase the programming philosophies, thoughts and knowledge of Karen Jordan-Bland. Currently APD (soon
to be PD we predict) of WJMZ-FM (107Jamz) in Greenville, S.C., KJ also is an air personality - she does middays. She segued
to Greenville from Louisville, where she was PD of WGZB-FM and WBLO-FM under Blue Chip, where she worked with Tony Fields.
Blue Chip was acquired by Radio One in the buying flux a few years back. KJ's current home, 107 Jamz, is a Cox station, where
Tony Fields also has a hand in operations. By the way, urban AC 107 Jamz jams the top spots in the ratings in Greenville in
12+, 18-34 and 25-54. You go girl!
Star: What is your target demo for 107 Jamz?
KJ: 25-54, we are hot urban ac... segued from urban officially this last week.
Star: Music-wise, what does a typical hour sound like?
KJ: Usher, Luther, Beyoncé, R Kelly, Fantasia, about 20 percent old school... we play old school, but, hey, what is old
school now? Well, we play recurrents to death. We do classic gold once an hour... like Michael Jackson, Luther... going no
further back than the '80s.
Star: What kind of promotions do you have to complement the music?
KJ: The one thing we try to do is giveaways... we did summer concert giveaways with the hottest shows in major cities
close, such as Atlanta.
Star: What does the station do to market itself internally and externally?
KJ: When we have station functions, we make it a point to invite the clients of the station,
| KJ with R&B crooner Gerald Levert |
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too. We haven't done any billboards... we are still No. 1 ... 18-34, 12+ and 25-54. We're very aggresive with station-oriented
spots. Our drops and promos are cutting edge. Our music is our No. 1 product, so we hammer that home to our listeners. We
make sure people know what we are about.
Star: Has budget tightening affected the station in terms of community service?
KJ: Not at all. Community events, fundraisers, drives... anything we think will affect our listeners' lifestyle, we try
to promote. If we feel a PSA has something tangible for our listeners, we're totally with it. We will work to bring a non-profit
event to life. As far as budget tightening, you just have to learn to be more creative with what you have.
Star: What's your take on research? Are you a go out in the field kind of gal, or do you rely heavily on research companies?
KJ: Cox's policy is that we are research driven. The company spends a lot of money annually keeping our music in tune
with listeners.
Star: What do you do to cultivate new talent? And as far as existing talent, how often do you go over air checks, have
meetings, etc?
KJ: We have weekly programming meetings and then we have individual air check meeting with the personalities. We not only
provide a job, we also teach. It's important to have
| KJ with Gospel's Richard Dawkins |
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your staff believe in your philosophy. And that comes across on the air. We work on enhancing our on-air talent's ability
to execute, entertain and inform. It's important that we keep our staff in tune and up do date so that they can do their jobs
well.
Star: What's been key to your longevity in this crazy industry?
KJ: My key is surrounding myself with really talented people, from my manager (Tony Fields) on down. He still conducts
our meetings by phone. (Fields is now in Miami as OM of Cox's 99 Jamz and Hot 104.5.) He is wonderful to work for because
he believes in the product and believes in our staff. He's one of those managers that teaches as he goes. He continually gives
you the tools and opportunities to be successful.
| Some of the 107 Jamz crew w/artist F'Lana Star |
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| Personality Doug Davis, APD KJ, F'Lana Star, personality Kenny Miles & OM Tony Fields |
Star: Let's talk about being a female in what is still very much a male-dominated industry. How do you handle situations
where record label reps or artists or anyone hits on you?
KJ: I maintain professionalism. I let them know that it's strictly professional. You gotta make them respect you. It's
that simple. Some men look at some women as an opportunity to get their flirt on... at the end of the day, if you maintain
yourself in a professional manner, they will respect you. I don't mix business with pleasure.
Star: On that note... what's your take on so many urban music videos reflecting women chasing rappers, shaking what their
momma gave them and/or in a derogatory manner?
KJ: As a woman, I'm not knocking what they do... that's how many of those women make their living, and that's their choice.
But to me, a respectable woman would not be caught in a compromising position. You can portray a beautiful black woman without
her being damn near naked. It personally bothers me when the young ladies say they had to do it to get through school... you
don't have to resort to that to get what you want. You are doing it because you want to do it.
Star: What's a typical day like for Karen Jordan-Bland?
KJ: I watch the news and read the paper to prep for my show. I check to make sure all my spots ran, make sure my staff
has the tools that they need and after my show, I wrap up with administrative work. And all that gets done between meetings!
Star: Comment on the state of the music industry today. Has the music gotten better or worse
KJ: From a lyrical standpoint, it's gotten worse. From a production standpoint, it's gotten better. From a gospel perspective,
it's gotten better to the point that a lot of gospel material now gets played on mainstream radio. And that's a beautiful
thing and kind of makes up for the garbage.
Star: Has the politics between radio and record labels become more difficult with the latest payola scandal?
KJ: Yes. Most of the companies... speaking from radio perspective... have cracked down on how we do business with record
labels. We used to be able to go out and have fun, like go to lunch with record reps, hang out with them and listen to their
new product. The people that took it to the next level wrecked it for everybody. Now the record reps aren't comfortable to
go out and casually talk business. And neither are we. It's definitely changed. The simplest gesture can now be construed
as payola, so most of the casual hanging out is gone, and that's too bad. It was a way for us to bond and share information.
Star: So what's in your CD player right now?
KJ: Young Jeezy. Mary J Blige's "My Life" CD, Missy Elliott, Fantasia and my old school Outkast... "Southernplayalisticcadillacmuzik."
Star: Thanks KJ! Check out KJ and her station at www.1073jamz.com
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