John Kage successfully programmed KQKS for years under Lincoln Financial Media, joining Entercom Denver upon the sale of Lincoln to Entercom in the Summer of 2015. John left soon after for Cox in Tampa to program WPOI. He’s a single dad and his son really missed Denver, so when Cox allowed him to leave Tampa, Bonneville Market Manager Bob Call hired him to program KYGO back in Denver. The reason Call wanted him was simple: “He wins.”
“First, under his leadership programming KQKS, the station hits historic 6+, 18-34 ratings, spilling over to 18-49 and even 25-54 with the strong morning show,” says Call. “He left for Tampa and KPOI returned to dominance over WFLZ within one year. He starts on KYGO in October 2016 and KYGO is number one 6+ in February 2017 monthly, and top three 25-54. While that’s only a monthly, it just shows a great Program Director can program almost any format. In 24 months, he has programmed RHY CHR, a Mainstream CHR, and a Country station, all to great success. How can he NOT be considered one of Radio’s best.”
John Kage has been in radio for 24 years; 10 years as a PD, and is on Radio Ink’s 2017 Best PDs in America list, which is out now. Here is our extended interview with one of radio’s best.
Radio Ink: What is your day like, and how are you able to accomplish it all?
John Kage: I arrive early each day and make any rotation adjustments based off fresh data. Then it’s on to meeting with the morning show. I have a brand new team with Guy David joining Tracy Dixon and our producer, Patrick Knight. They have a world of potential, so crafting that show with them each day into what it will ultimately become is about two hours daily. I hand-place the imaging into each log with thought behind every segue we do. I like to construct my own chart with stations I feel move the way we do, so I immerse myself in all of that data each day to stay in harmony with the way things are moving. There are the usual sales, promotions, and day-to-day meetings that happen each day, and handling the massive concert schedules and imaging that needs to be managed. As I have gotten into a routine here, making sure our bases are covered digitally each day and incorporating that into our brand is also about to become more of my day. Accomplishing it all requires staying organized, getting into a daily routine, and often times, it means working evenings after my son goes to bed, oftentimes coming in on either Saturday or Sunday mornings when it’s quiet to get caught up.
Radio Ink: Who do/did you look up to or admire, and why?
John Kage: John Dimick — my former VP at Lincoln Financial — and I still work together each week. Being new to Country, John really helped me understand the culture and the format before and after I arrived. My Market Manager, Bob Call, was the first Program Director of KYGO, beyond his great integrity and overall understanding of programming, he gives me the tools I need to win each day. My former VP of Programming at CMG, Steve Smith, is legendary in this business and I enjoyed every minute of working with him in Tampa last year. He’s a huge country fan and Cox has some of the biggest and most successful brands in the business. While still at CMG I had the chance to not only pick his brain, but Johnny Chiang and Drew Bland as well. They have very progressive brands, and while KYGO leans a touch more traditional, I was able to blend those two styles together when I arrived in Denver. While they might not know I watch their stations, I also respect the success of DJ Stout, Mac Daniels, Tim Richards, and Gregg Swedberg.
Radio Ink: How do you manage talent to get the most out of them every day?
John Kage: For the most part we have seasoned vets on the air here that don’t need to sit down and go through a show break by break. I explain to them in everyday conversation what we are trying to achieve and they go get it done. They all want to win. Mornings is different in that we have a new team with Guy David coming to us from Fond Du Lac, WI. He is new to major-market radio and that happens to be my favorite thing about him. As I listened to over 100 tapes, Guy stood out as a real person who excelled at telling stories, which is what Country is all about. I’ll sacrifice the unpolished sound for the content. The polish will come in time. Getting Guy and Tracy on the same page, role definition, content treatment and resolution is our day-to-day focus right now. Our Producer, Patrick Knight, is also instrumental in making that happen.
Radio Ink: What is your biggest station accomplishment the past year?
John Kage: Putting this morning show together tops the list. It’s different, it’s unique and I am excited for their future.
Radio Ink: How can young programmers be as successful as you?
John Kage: I don’t know that my way is the right way. However, lost in the constant meet and greets, photo ops, dinners, and meetings is the fact that the listener only knows what is coming out of the speakers and, these days, on social media. Make it as 100% right as you can every minute of each day. Every break, segue, and song matters. Don’t schedule your music five days past your call-out date just to get it done when you know it isn’t right. Update your imaging each day, live in the moment. You won’t see me out of town much. I am focused on making KYGO the best it can be every day.
Drop the ego and get the best decisions on the air regardless if it’s your idea or someone else’s. There are really talented programmers out there doing great radio every day. Stream these stations for inspiration and ideas. Do good business with the labels but do what is right for your audience first and foremost. Lastly, with sales, try not to say “I can’t,” but instead “How can I?” Those things have worked for me anyway.
Reach out to John to congratulate him on being one of radio’s best [email protected]
