10 Questions with ... B-Dub

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Bryan "B-Dub" Washington hosts the nationally syndicated "B-Dub Radio" show, syndicated by Skyview Networks in addition to his job as APD/MD and afternoon host at Hubbard Radio's KNUC (98.9 The Bull)/Seattle. "B-Dub Radio" is available six days a week, including as a standalone Saturday night show. He is the Academy of Country Music's reigning National Weekly On-Air Personality of the Year.

B-Dub joined KNUC in 2020 after stints as APD/MD and p.m. drive host at KWBL (106.7 The Bull)/Denver, PD at KBEB (92.5 The Bull)/Sacramento, MD at KMLE/Phoenix and APD/MD at KUPL (98.7 The Bull)/Portland, OR.

1. Give us a brief description of your background and experience leading up to your current position and duties?

This October will be 20 years full-time in the radio business for me. I started out in Top 40 and spent time in Mobile, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia before moving back out west. I broke into Country in May of 2010 in Portland at KUPL, and have gone from Portland, to Phoenix, to Sacramento, to Denver, and have been in Seattle since May of 2020.

2. Have you always wanted to be in the radio business?

I knew I wanted to be in radio after I job shadowed the night jock at KZEL in Eugene, OR. I just thought the job was so cool, to be able to tell a story without showing anyone what you are doing. The art of storytelling is so much more important in the audio space.

3. Was programming always a part of the plan for your radio career? What was the transition/addition of those duties like?

It wasn't. My goal has always been to be a talent first. But, I do love the relationships I've built and friendships I've made as a programmer. The addition was pretty natural … There is a definite balance, and it's a fine line to be able to program a station and still focus on your show. It's not easy at all.

4. What went through your mind when you found out you were going to be nationally syndicated?

It felt great! I knew it was going to be super easy to clear stations and I'd be at 100 stations in no time because it's a no brainer to carry a show like mine! That was eight years ago. We have an idea of what it's like to be syndicated, and then there's the reality. I've been fortunate to have had stations that have been with me for the entire time, and companies that have believed in me as a talent. But, it's been a lot of work, and I'd do it all over again tomorrow and wouldn't change a thing.

5. How did it feel when your hometown station, KFLY (US101 FM)/Eugene, OR picked up your show in 2021?

All my life I wanted to be on in my hometown. It's really cool to have reconnected with old friends that have reached out after randomly hearing me on the radio in Eugene. Also, I was a bit of a dork (still am) in high school. So, getting to do that for a living instead of being made fun of for it is pretty cool too!

6. What is your biggest accomplishment in your career so for?

It has to be winning an ACM Award for National Weekly On-Air Personality last year. It was an absolute surprise. While I've been part of a station that has won, I've never submitted for my show before, so to get that win was really special.

7. What keeps you up at night?

This may sound silly, but I sometimes lose sleep over wondering if I'll wake up and not know what to talk about on the show. Like, what if I don't have anything to say next? I guess that's why we always keep our Voxpro files.

8. Tell us about your team? Who and why are they necessary to get the syndicated show done right every day?

Behind the scenes we have an amazing affiliate team with Ed Moloney, Ron Rivlin and the team at Skyview. Our sales team, led by Jeanne-Marie Condo, is top notch, and you'll notice the quality of the clients that Skyview brings in. I believe that makes a big difference in listener retention [along with] killer content and the right music.

Right now, it's me, as far as the day-to-day production of the show. I handle all the preparation, social media, website updates, etc. This year my plan is to bring someone on board to help. But, with owning my own show and not having a guaranteed income, I want to make sure the revenue (and reserves) are at a point where I can make a multi-year commitment to the right person.

9. What's ahead for you? What's the next step or goal for B-Dub? Any big passion projects?

I'd like to finally hit that 100 station mark on Saturday night, and top 50 this year on our weekday show. We have a great team, and that is an attainable goal. Long-term, extending the show beyond nights is a major goal of mine, allowing stations to carry the show in afternoons, or even a morning clearance isn't out of the question down the road.

Big Dream Stuff: I want to tap into the live event space. What that looks like, I am still trying to navigate, but I'm excited to dream about it for now. Personally, my goal is focusing on my health, and committing to the weight loss I've been saying I would for the better part of a decade now.

10. What do you like to do in your spare time? Are there shows that you binge?

My wife and I really have started to travel together. We hope to do more in the year ahead. As far as daily down time, I just finished "Sons of Anarchy" for the third time, and have just started watching "The West Wing" for the first time. We also love "Yellowstone" and the spin-offs that have been released.