The Producers Podcast - Voiceover And Radio / Audio Production

I LOVE KIIS.  Grew up there, it was my favorite station and they remain a leader on the cutting edge of major market CHR radio.  The not so new Imaging Director (about 1 year in now) is Miles Hlivko.  YEP…Another major talent to come out of Ohio, and more specifically, Cleveland.  He was at WMMS for years elevating to APD in 2013.  As we learn in the interview he had two shots at the KIIS gig but waited until everything was just right.  His creativity is off the hook.  And when guys like John Frost are singing your praises…you are doing something right! Check out the show and hit Miles up on Twitter HERE:  https://twitter.com/mileshlivko  

CK, Kyle, Cowboy – whatever you call him – Cowboy Kyle is the Imaging Director at WUSY – US 101 in Chattanooga. CK also images over 20 country stations nationwide including New Orleans, Louisville, Lexington, Indianapolis, Augusta, Des Moines, Wichita, and several more. He KILLS it by knowing the audience, knowing how to write for the format (AND his voice-talent), a master of brevity and thus he continues to grow his client roster. Contact him on all the socials @CowboyKyle101 Email: KyleCroft@iheartmedia.com In an effort to “expand” the scope of my show (in quotes as there is a certain level of irony here) I’m finally bringing on another COUNTRY IMAGING SPECIALIST – Cowboy Kyle.  But of course, like all of us, he produces for other formats as well.  Why irony? I had my largest career advancement when I moved to Country (KSCS-Dallas) and have been completely engulfed in the format since 2006 running an updating jingle/imaging service via TM, producing country content

Creative Director at Studio Brussel in Belgium, part of VRT, Steven Lemmens has an outstanding mindset and skillsetfor radio creative and station branding. He specifically crafts the sound of Studio Brussel but works as part of a large team within the company where everyone is encouraged to wear many hats. Heck he is also the “tech guy!” Studio Brussel is one of the more popular music stations which super-serves its audience beyond “just music” while always putting the music first.   We get into what that means, what they do well and some key social/video elements they carry out which are a big reason they are able to prosper in a crowded radio space. Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stvn Some simple yet  important advice for the newcomers in radio: “If you want to work for one station, listen to all the stations.”

Sometimes you just have a great chat with a great talent. Larry MacInnis has been at the center of some large scale creative.  In fact if you are in Canada you’ve heard of CHUM-FM, of course.  Or maybe specifically Toronto, you’ve heard the Al Palladini’s Pinetree Lincoln-Mercury spots?  Experience, skill, wisdom, NO hyperbole, creativity and INTERESTING are some descriptors that came to mind when trying to describe Larry MacInnis.  He started at a very young age and quickly stepped onto a path which led to CHUM-FM as their Creative Director and would hold that position for decades. He has such an incredible grasp onto the business of ‘creative’ and during this interview (not always the case) I felt very comfortable just sitting back and letting him roll.  I learned a lot. I hope you do the same. I can NOT stress enough that I hope you visit the show notes page found here:  Larry MacInnis Show Notes – Video  and Audio

The guys from The Arabian Radio Network in Dubai took time out of their busy schedules to do a group interview. While there are many talented producers at ARN I spoke with three including AJ Traspaderme (originally from Canada), Vinay Rao (India) and Heinie Hartendorp (Philippines).  Because of the diversity on staff these three producers also represent many languages, luckily for me English was one of them. I enjoy the international episodes for a lot of reasons – one of the biggest is to get a feel for local culture and how things differ from my American experience, often in fascinating ways. Dubai is one of the flourishing, strong radio markets. We talk shop, tech, culture and everything that is the MIGHTY ARN – Dubai.

Wow.  I use that expensive three-letter-public-college-degree-having word to start this post because Jeff DELIVERED.  First, Jeff Schmidt is a San Francisco based Imaging Producer and musician working at the station level, the national level, the service level and he is a highly skilled sound designer for radio, video, web AND Video Games. He is Alien-Imaging who I have been collaborating with here, and using the services of in my own work, for nearly 10 years. We cover it all in this very in depth episode so I won’t go on and on in text form.  BUT when I say WOW he delivered, I mean you need to check out the SHOW NOTES PAGE HERE. We’re talking tons of audio, video, links and an overflowing warchest of tips, secrets, info and more. Find him on facebook or twitter or his site.  Enjoy this one!

90th episode??  Damn.  Scott Fisher is one of the leading Radio Imaging Voice Talents in America.  He is heard on some of the largest stations in the largest markets. He is BIG-TIME.  It’s a shame that it’s taken me this long to have him on but I had to save some of the best… Scott is from a radio family.  In fact one his family owned stations subscribing to a country service I operate is the reason we met!  Small world.  Scott has been #2 on Benztowns Top 50 Imaging Voice list for all of its existence.  That should give you an idea of his scope.  For seasoned Imaging VO’s and/or those looking to break in, I believe you will find this show very insightful and useful.  Hope you enjoy! Here is a link to his full demo mentioned in the show

The first Three-Time guest on the show is (and should be) Dave Foxx.  In one of the major developments to round out 2015, Dave is now the EX-Creative Services Director for Z100 NYC. He was also involved in many other major iHeart Radio responsibilities in New York and other parts of the US.  Dave is also the signature voice for stations and brands around the Globe.  I’ve probably had this luxury too often with my show BUT he is yet another person for whom I do not need to provide background or even introduce. If you are here, you know who is and what he has accomplished. Dave has transitioned into what sounds like a primarily educational role which he does at his own desire.  Visit www.DaveFoxx.com now and in the future to learn of his new resouces, adventures and professional developments. For now please enjoy a look back on the career of one of our legends, an analysis of our industry as it exists today and a solid moment or two of “what’s next.” I mentioned it (again) to Dave but he

A skilled talent in creative imaging and radio management/administration, and someone who I am lucky to call a friend, has left one of the top Imaging Gigs on EARTH to find greener pastures.  Chris Nicoll is (or was, depending on when you read this) Head of Production for Capital Radio, Capital Xtra, Capital TV, Capital Solar System and Capital Networks at Global Radio in the UK. There were two of these pretty major announcements within days of each other near the end of 2015, Dave Foxx leaving Z100/NYC at iHeart Radio being the other.  Chris is still young and showed no signs of being “pushed out” so it might have been more surprising to hear of his departure. Well, we discuss it all.  I appreciate his candor and his time and look forward to what he has coming next. (If you listen to the show I think the photo I grabbed of Chris and his Father is pretty appropriate) BONUS: I interviewed the TEAM @Capital a while back.  Hear Part 1 here – Part 2 Here See him online at WizzFX.com or on twitte

Sorry for my extended time away!  I had some unexpected delays with 3 different guests but GEORGE TAYLOR made himself available quicker than I thought so he saved my schedule a little. George is the Imaging Director at IMGR and a writer at Wise Buddah.  He is extremely musical as an Imaging Producer but… also a composer of music.  So he definitely rides a line between two worlds.  Or perhaps better stated, he merges two worlds that might have been considered separate in the past. Fun Fact: I didn’t tell George but I went to No Sheet Music and appropriated one of his library tracks as our bed music this episode

It was high time I had another recorded conversation with Kelly Doherty.  Since we last spoke she moved across the country, twice, and elevated to what might be the most prominent imaging position in the U.S.  Kelly is the Vice President of iHeartMedia. Again, as would be expected with Kelly no holds barred content-wise and we covered a lot.  We also got into The Imaging Days panels she will be a part of.  Her’s sounds amazing!  She will also do me the favor and join my Monday Power Player panel:  INNOVATION.  Check out the show below!

Another installment of: “Get ready for The Imaging Days 2015!” and Let’s revisit with a superstar of radio imaging.  Dom Nero is Creative Services Director @ HOT 97 NYC (Emmis NY).  He has held down this iconic position for over 10 years now.  Seems like yesterday when I hopped in an unmarked town-car (of course, no cabs available) and traveled from my mid-town hotel to the Emmis building downtown to interview Dom. He had been there less than 5 years at the point and still seemed kind of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed….well maybe not that BUT today he sounds exactly as experienced as he is and brings so much to the Imaging table.  We chat the massive battle that constantly rages in the NYC radio landscape.  We talk some tech, talk some theory, and certainly hype his session at The Imaging Days 2015.  He’ll be on stage handing out his secrets!  Can’t wait! I hope I don’t break the site or my feed but I’ll put the audio first then I’ll place links to the video

Back again and not soon enough, John Frost. He is the demented mind behind Frostbytes and an imaging style oft-mimicked but rarely matched. After years of running the first online imaging service, creating the “World Famous” branding at KROQ L.A. and influencing countless stations and producers worldwide,  John has been invited to present at The Imaging Days in Amsterdam.  So that was all the excuse I needed to get him back on the show.  I might have gone down some of the same roads as our first episode (worth it) but I also tried to get inside the mind of someone who has attained a  unique station in life.  See how I did. www.TheImagingDays.com Frostbytes Online

Here is your Imaging Days 2015 Preview episode!  The show is just one month away.  October 5 and 6 in Haarlem, The Netherlands, about 15 minutes from Amsterdam.  Anthony Timmers, Creative Director of the show, joins me to chat about all things IMAGING DAYS.  We run down the the list of speakers, or most of them, some are still secret.  We discuss the venue, city and a few pleasant changes to the schedule and format.  It seems like a JAM-PACKED show!  But you be the judge. OH- FYI – I will do more to prepare for the ONLY total imaging conference in the world with my upcoming guests which will include JOHN FROST, DOM NERO and KELLY DOHERTY.  Enjoy!

It’s been a long time coming but FINALLY Rachel McGrath jumps in and joins the show.  Rachel has certainly been building up her roster of amazing stations but as we will learn she has put in the work.  Years ago she simply got out there and started hustling to build her business and hasn’t shown signs of quit.  Nearing 70 client stations Rachel is heard as THE VOICE of almost everything. Certainly found in just about every genre and almost every major market. NO topic off limits I tried to cover it all.  See/Hear more from her at RachelMcGrath.com

What doesn’t Drew do?  He is the Creative Dir. at WFLZ – Tampa.  This station, as most of you  know, is maybe most revered for its BRANDING than anything else.  It’s been a consistent leader for outstanding creative and a jump-off point for some truly legendary Imaging Talent over the years.  Aside from that Drew is the National CHR Imaging Coord. @ iHeart PLUS National Mixshow DJ (with my pal DJ Grooves) AND a Live Club DJ for iHeart and non-iHeart spots all over the place.  But wait there’s more!  He talks too!  Voiceover artist in the Imaging world on just shy of 20 stations.  Yep, with all that this ep is close to one of my longest but I feel we got a lot done. Sidenote: Here is a link to that app I mentioned, Podcast Addict, and if you have any feedback on ways I can technilogically move this thing forward, that would be awesome!  Email me ryandrean@gmail.com Links: Twitter – @djgoofywhitekid and @drewthevoiceguy Web – http://drewthevoiceguy.com/ and http://djgoofywhit

The Original Voice of Urban Radio – not a self dubbed title but a view held by many in the format, Mitch Faulkner has been heard…everywhere!  I probably don’t really need to write much in the way of an intro ad he certainly doesn’t need any hype.  I’ll say this – I got as much out of this interview as I have any other and he told a few really funny stories that I hadn’t  heard or thought of before.  Hope you enjoy it! More about Mitch (Unofficial Site):  http://mitchfaulkner.weebly.com/

This time I feature two guys I respect AND am happy to call friends, or mates, or whatever you say wherever you are. They are the creative force behind Imaging Blueprint, Contraband Media and plenty of other past and present creative endeavors.  We chat all things imaging and talk running your own shop vs in house, B and M production. We talk about the other side of the Barter business, the path to getting out on your own and we get geeky with gear speak too.  I had a blast and per some feedback, will continue to keep em all “One-parters” unless I break wordpress again…Enjoy!! Show Notes Page Here

Certainly a guest that needs very little introduction.  Even if you don’t know the name, once you hear him you will know him. David Lee is heard, well, everywhere and maybe most notably on motorsports commercials OR national sports broadcasts.  I know that when Howard Deneroff cast him as the signature voice of Westwood One sports he wanted just that – a SIGNATURE sound.  He got it.  David is very humble, down-to-earth and seems to be living the dream.  Working from where he wants and doing what he loves. Check out his site here for longer demos and more info about him and hit him up on Twitter here – @DavidLeeImaging – as he is new to the whole Twitter thing.  Otherwise, enjoy!

This podcast has been extra “Britishy” lately and will continue to be for a little longer. (Soon we will get the chat completed with the guys from Imaging Blueprint in London and somewhere near Southampton – my second favorite EPL team) wow…I digress.  Anthony Gay is the guest this time and he is a big whig over at Reel World Europe.  Officially he is the Managing Director at Reel World, in Europe.   I like to discuss Radio Imaging from all angles and one of those angles is from the side of the programmer/manager/boss types.  We will dive into Anthony’s programming acumen in-show but let’s just say he’s been around and has a very attractive resume. Check out the show below, Anthony on Twitter and visit Reelworld Europe for more of what they do.