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With 50 years in radio, Bill Wax founded, was the lead DJ, and the program director of Sirius XM's B.B. King's Bluesville channel. Bill has interviewed dozens of legendary musicians including 40 hours with the King of Blues. As program director he designed the sound and persona for the station and coached its hosts. Bill currently hosts a Saturday show on WPFW in Takoma Park, MD

https://wpfwfm.org

00:00:00 Intro
22:14 As a program director, how would you keep audiences tuned into a show like OH?
24:58 That can't be Lucille behind you, can it?
28:59 Any good "AHA" memories in hearing new music, and then the subsequent "I TOLD YOU SO" response later when said artist/song blows up?
33:42 Where do you see the role of college and noncommercial radio in today's media landscape? Do you see them as "laboratories" for new talent or as the "tastemakers" they were in the presocial media era?
37:43 Did your approach to on air change with the introduction of computers to run the shows?
42:34 Program directors have the power to shape the "vibe" of a station. What are some challenges to remain neutral in forcing personal tastes and yet avoid succumbing to industry trends. “You can listen to Jimi, but you can’t hear Jimi.”
47:41 If you had to start a 'radio show' now where would you do it on youtube, audio only platform, podcast or something else??
51:37 Do you prefer an audio console with Linear or Rotary Pots..?
52:48 Do you have any stories about backup singers, sound guys, guitar techs, or other support personnel who make a difference in supporting blues headliners?
54:28 I read an article about a college radio station that requires new DJs to not play digital music. Do you think the use of automation in radio decreases creativity? ([link])
55:48 Were voice exercises ever a part of your routine in preparation for on air ?
58:45 What's your advice for the folks at KUHS in Hot Springs Arkansas who want to rebuild everything and put in all new gear, a new transmitter, new computer networks and software?

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Office Hours Global, radio programming, program directors, college radio, audio consoles, KUHS, Hot Springs Arkansas, backup singers, sound guys, guitar techs, digital music, automation in radio, creativity in radio, voice exercises, new gear, radio show, YouTube, podcasting, 20240515