10 Questions with ... Josh Venable

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started as an intern while still in high school in Dallas at The Edge in 1994. After a few years I took over the specialty show The Adventure Club, which I did for the next 18 years. In 2008 I went to L.A. to help flip KYSR and do afternoons. Back to Dallas to PD The Edge in 2011. Moved to Tulsa to PD The Edge here in 2013.  Took over as format captain of rock/alt a few years ago.

1. In 2021, you were promoted to Format Captain for Stephens Media Group. Tell us about your expanded duties overseeing WZNE (94.1 The Zone)/Rochester, NY. 

Rochester is a lot like Tulsa in that both are heritage stations. Other than the weather, the markets are quite a bit alike which makes it a bit easier on me. So now I'm doing logs for WZNE and I'm available for the other PDs in the company if they need help with their alt/rock stations nationwide. We have a great group of programmers, though.  

2.  How different is KMYZ and WZNE? 

The Zone leans a little newer and a little lighter. We have a relatively new morning show on The Zone while Chuck and I have been doing The Morning Edge for seven years or so. We did a sort of relaunch in Rochester a few years ago and that changed things up a bit – new morning show, logo, website, a newer/different mix than maybe what Rochester had heard over the last few years.

3.  Give us the 411 on each station. 

Both heritage stations, of course. Both play a ton of new music.  

4.  You've mentioned in our conversations that a lot of the 90's heritage Alt bands are not researching. How does this impact your currents and gold?  

Did I say that? I think the passion for certain heritage bands is gone for sure. I guess it's a case by case basis because while that holds water for some, then you have Gorillaz who have been around since 2001 and test through the roof

5.  Tell us about some bands that have worked on KMYZ in 2022 that may not be big on the Alternative panel. 

Meg Myers, Silversun Pickups, Blue October, Jack White, Cold War Kids.  All of them do exceptionally here. That ranges from research scores to ticket sales. The station embraces them fully and goes deep on their catalogs so that helps.

6.  You talk to your daughter about music a lot. How would you describe yourself as a programmer?  

I try and ask my daughter's opinion a lot because she and her friends will all grow into the 18-34 women numbers I constantly chase. I always say that Paul Weller line, "The kids know where it's at."  I think every label needs a 16 year old on staff to tell them what's hot and what isn't. I guess I program the station as a station I'd want to listen to. I know that sounds simple and maybe it is. I like a little bit of old stuff that reminds me of my youth. The peanut butter that holds the jelly in place. Then I like some new music like The Beths or Girl In Red or whatever. I grew up listening to the radio to discover new music so that's a big part of it. On top of that I always try to give away stuff out of the ordinary (our Drumsticks and Drumsticks Thanksgiving promotion is coming with signed drumsticks and frozen turkeys). Every year we do a Record Store Day and give out free vinyl in our parking lot. Hundreds of people turn out, we have food trucks etc.    

7.  You wear a lot of hats beginning with The Edge Morning Show. What is a typical workday like for you?

From 6a-10a I am doing mornings. 10a-forever is spent coaching talent, scheduling logs, devising new contests, updating socials, the usual for any PD, I think.

8.  What is your favorite part of your job? 

Everything. No one should complain about the gig we have. If you're reading this, then you aren't a roofer or a plumber or a cop or nurse or teacher. Those are tough jobs. We get to play music for people and hopefully make a difference in their life by being their soundtrack. Nothing not to like.  

9. How do you use social media? 

Personally? Very sparingly. For the stations we use social media nonstop. It's free advertising. We reply to every message. If someone takes the time to request a song or ask a question, that's the least we can do.  We of course use it to hype things like our Christmas concert or whatever. We do a feature on mornings called Twitter Tuesday where listeners get any question they want answered by the DJs. Best question gets tickets or a prize.   

10. What would surprise people most about you?  

The Beatles are overrated

What are weekends like for you?

My kid and I go to garage sales (records and Star Wars stuff for me and vintage clothes for her). The rest of the time is spent watching Andor and Murder, She Wrote

Favorite food?

Fajitas

Favorite drink?

Dr Pepper

What are your favorite restaurants in Tulsa?

NOLA's which is amazing Cajun food

  Tell us about your band Panic?

We are a Smiths/Morrissey tribute band complete with wigs and songs about depression

I hear Morrissey has new music coming. How many times have you seen Morrissey live?

The two Vegas shows this year made 25

What's the latest on your massive record collection?

Still growing.  If you're reading this and would like to contribute to my collection, please let me know josh@edgetulsa.com.

Favorite new band over the past year?

I don't know about band. I really like the new Mountain Goats, Suede, The Big Moon, Tim Kasher, Ancient Shapes and Belle and Sebastian