10 Questions
Sam Weaver
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I’m the owner of SamWeaverMedia.com. I work with Air Talent, Operation Managers, Program Directors, and Social Influencers. In addition, I’ve been a Strategic Advisor on numerous music projects. My mission is to “Clarify, Connect, Influence.” I was the Urban/R&B Editor/Columnist at All Access for 10 years.
I’ve had a multi-format career as an On Air Personality & Program Director: Top 40, Mainstream Urban, Urban AC, R&B Radio, Gospel, and Country (Music Director for 2 years at WUSN, Today’s Country Chicago)
20 years of programming experience: KRNB/Dallas (5 years); Programmed KPRS/Kansas City (10 years); WAMO/ Pittsburgh; WDIA/Memphis; WQMG/Greensboro, NC, and WYLD/New Orleans. I have the distinction of being the only programmer to have programmed the oldest Black Operated station WDIA/Memphis and currently the oldest Black owned and operated station KPRS-KPRT/Kansas City.
Other Highlights:
Nominated Program Director of the year 10 times Combined (R&R & Billboard)
Named Programmer of the year (Gavin)
Twice named Programmer of the week by Billboard Magazine.
My trophy case includes station awards for the NAB Crystal and The Marconi
Communications Adjunct Professor at Columbia College in Chicago for 4 years
Served as National Host of the Westwood One’s Superstar of R&B Concert Series
Former Comedy Writer for Urban Network Countdown Show
10 QUESTIONS:
1. How do you explain being authentic?
Being authentic is the ability for a personality to make the listener believe. There’s a lot of self-discipline involved with being authentic. Regardless of whether it’s the talent’s actual personality or a persona they’ve chosen, staying in character 24/7 in public or on social media is a must.
2. Why have you started emailing out news blasts and posting Trending News?
Because there’s been a void since the original version Of All Access stopped publishing last Fall (8/16/23). Connecting the dots in the business of communications and media is important. There are some existing trade publications doing their part to shine light on our industry. But there is no such thing as too much communication. With Sam Weaver Media Trending news and Trending News Alerts, I’ll include stories about radio, the music industry, and anything else that will affect either. I’ve learned not to be a content pirate and just cut and paste from somewhere else. It’s important to verify before publishing anything. When it’s necessary, make a phone call if need be.
3. Will you be dealing with breaking news?
Yes, but I will be calling it Trending News Alerts. I’ll make sure that whenever I issue one of these, it will be something that is special. I think all media has contributed to damaging the original concept of breaking news. It used to be something of great importance. The current interpretation has become any story just emerging. Many people don’t even pay attention when they see, hear, or get a notification of “Breaking News.”
4. With all the social media, why is it still important for an online Trade to do News?
None of us have gotten tired of hearing about what’s going on at other stations and music companies. Whenever I communicate with radio or music people, the first thing they ask is “What have you heard lately.”
5. Will you be bringing back any columns?
Long story short, yes. I’ll start with Coaches Corner and 10 Questions. When The original All Access published by Joe Denver halted operations last August (2023), many followers of Coaches Corner wanted me to continue the column. I’ve always believed in giving people what they want. My observational juices are flowing and I’m excited about getting back into the flow of things.
6. What’s one of your funnier radio moments?
This little boy kept calling on the request lines and requesting this one song. I thought he was saying, “I wanna hear My Dick.” On the fourth time he called, I told him that his mom and dad would not approve of his request. But he kept pleading with me. So, I thought if I played along, I’d catch him in his little perverted game. I asked him to sing it to me. Once he started, I recognized the melody and realized that he wasn’t asking for a song called “My Dick.” He had been requesting the song “It’s Magic” by Pilot. “Oh ho ho It’s Magic.” Yep, that was a funny moment.
7. What’s your approach to finding solutions to an issue?
Look at something from every aspect. Stick to the issue without reading anything else into it. Fortunately, I can compartmentalize. It helps when I’m zeroing in on variables for solutions.
8. How do you see the future of on-air personalities?
Personality matters. Many aspects of our lives are driven by personality, from politics to social media influencers. We often meet someone for the first time and get a good feeling. It might be the cashier at the grocery store who makes you laugh or smile with a few words. That’s personality. It’s about the spin on what you say, not how much you say. Media companies are reducing the number of on-air talent because they view individuals as budget line items. They are not against personality-driven content, but they do not want to pay more people than they think is necessary.
9. How does AI figure into all of this?
Simple. The apparent goal is to provide a service that allows less employment of human beings. And for radio, that means giving artificial intelligence the human trait of a personality that can convince a listener or viewer of the human sound. In short, for radio listeners, a relatable personality that’s not human but sounds like one. And these are the still the early stages of AI applications. They are going to keep improving things until the sound difference will be undetectable by the average listener.
10. Would it be a stretch to say you’re unconventional?
A lot of people would probably agree with that statement. I transfer information from every part of my life and from all things I’m exposed to. It’s how I’ve managed to survive and consistently reinvent myself in this business. When you think about it, we’ve all been exposed to a multitude of things. It’s up to us to take all that stuff and repurpose it to other areas of our lives. There are centuries of ideas to revamp and utilize.
BONUS QUESTION
What’s your current goal?
I have two.
1. To earn and help others do so as well.
2. Have a role with an AI developer