The Infinite Dial

Name:
Drew Murrell

Current Title/Position/Company:
Executive Producer - Envision Radio's syndicated AC Morning Show Murphy, Sam and Jodi (cheap plug for my bosses)
Host - Nick and Drew, 99X KTUX and hopefully soon to be nationally syndicated (soon to be owned by the lovely and talented people at GAP broadcasting)

How did you get your start in radio?
My Mom and Dad used to go to karoake night at a Chinese Restaurant in our hometown on Longview, TX. One of the hosts was Neil McCoy and the other was the APD/MD of KYKX. Mom harassed him until he let me "audition" for a job. When I went up to the station he had two girls up there, one he wanted and the other was her sister. I distracted the sister while he worked his game. I never told his girlfriend, who my Mom knew, and I got hired. I didn't to go on-air for 6 months till the over night weekend guy failed to cover his shift.

What are your career goals?
Nationally syndicated Active Rock Morning/Night show!!!

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Freedom to create...I can't paint, I can't sing and I can't act but I can talk. Radio allows me to create content, whether I'm talking about my life or shooting a video, and I have the freedom (ok not as much as I used too) to move and entertain people. Plus I can wear shorts and flip flops anytime I want to!

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
Giving a voice to younger on-air talent! It seems that radio is consumed by cliques continually hiring buddies. It is sad that I've been the youngest full-time in our cluster for about 6 years. If you want to think outside the box then try including voices who haven't been in the box! More often than not, jobs are filled and never even posted. How can you say you've hired the best talent (live or voice-tracked) when you haven't left the shallow-end of the pool?

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
Use your advantages. Our group is the first to be fully immersed in technology, use it. Record everything, film everything, take pictures of everything. Ask questions about the software and programs you use. Chances are they do more than you think. Our elders and current bosses grew up with three ways to communicate: print, TV and radio. Don't let the word radio confine you. The more ways you interact and entertain your audience the larger your brand grows.

...and anything else you would like to pass on.
If you need a Active Rock Night show, Nick and Drew will increase ratings, increase revenue and decrease expense. Check us out at www.nickanddrew.com. (I know this shameless but what the hell)

I really do appreciate this award! It is truly an honor to be mentioned with the other 29 winners and I look forward to seeing you at Conclave.