John Nene of KJZI in Minneapolis - Behind the Mic for June
June 3, 2004 - This month we had the pleasure of talking to a broadcaster who is fairly new to Smooth Jazz. John Nene of KJZI Smooth Jazz 100.3 in Minneapolis joined the format about a year ago by default when the station flipped from Classic Hits. Since them Nene has immersed himself in the format and found a deep appreciation for the musicians and the audience who as he found out have just as much passion for the music. We talked to John Nene by phone on May 22, 2004.

John Beaudin - Hi John. It's great to connect with you

John Nene - Hi John. Listen, I love your site. There's so much information on there. I'm a huge fan of the website.

John Beaudin - Thanks. I have to apologize if I sound like a frog I have a nasty cold. (laughing) Really, I don't sound like this on air!

John Nene - You know us radio announcers we love getting colds sometimes for that deeper voice.

John Beaudin - Just if it hits you right though. (laughing) I was fine on the air yesterday. Well at least I could talk! But there's a frequency in there that can go either way. Sounding like a frog doesn't work for anybody.

John Nene - Yeah, the good sounding voice usually comes right at the beginning of the cold or at the end. (laughing)

John Beaudin - (laughing) Yeah. Hey, congratulations on your station Smooth Jazz 100.3 KJZI-FM celebrating a year on the air. What was the station before they flipped to Smooth Jazz?

John Nene - It was a Classic Hits station called WLOL.

John Beaudin - There was Smooth Jazz in Minneapolis before that though.

John Nene - Yeah, there was Smooth Jazz in Minneapolis a few years before that but the station didn't make it so it left a real void. When this station came back up with the format many people were so happy. They had really missed it while it was gone.

John Beaudin - A major pet peeve of mine is a radio company saying, "Don't go Smooth Jazz in that city because it hasn't worked in the past." Well yeah, your version didn't work in the past! Were you listening to the audience? Were you doing the research? Were you skewing the research? Did you even understand the music and the audiences needs?

John Nene - Well, coming out of the gate it's gone well for us. It does seem like people are really excited to have us back.

John Beaudin - How did you get to Smooth Jazz 100.3 KJZI-FM?

John Nene - Well, I've worked in several different formats. I actually came from Pittsburgh at a Rock station called WDVE. I came out here to work at the Classic Hits station and it was shortly after I got here that they actually changed the format but they thought that I would be a good fit for it so they asked me if I would stay.

John Beaudin - I'm sure a sigh of relief?

John Nene - Sure, yes. I had been a casual fan of the format before but I did know a great amount of the artists so I stuck around and I've been enjoying it.

John Beaudin - Most of the people who love Smooth Jazz came from Rock'n Roll.

John Nene - Exactly.

John Beaudin - It may seem like a huge jump for some people but really follow the steps. Sum 41 isn't our Rock it's Rock for the kids most of our rock is gone and maybe it's gone inside of us also so we want more or at least want something different and that's where Smooth Jazz fits into a lot of peoples lives. Another point is this music at least via the live concert circuit is the new rock for some 25-54 year olds. I was just talking about this with Ken Navarro. These Smooth Jazz acts can rock in concert.

John Nene - You know what when you interview them and ask them who their influences are they'll tell you the Beatles or artists as ground breaking as that. Look at Jeff Golup, he's played with Rod Stewart and Billy Squire. There are a lot of these guys who have their ties back to their Rock'n Roll roots that are going back to Smooth Jazz.

John Beaudin - Plus these musicians are people I want to hang with, people that I want to invite over to my house. Hell, I've had a few of them sleeping at my house! (laughing)

John Nene - It's so funny that you say that. I feel exactly the same way. With these musicians you can easily tell it's just about the love of the music. With some of the other genre's it's about image. In Smooth Jazz, the artists are like your favorite next door neighbor.

John Beaudin - Smooth Jazz 100.3 KJZI-FM in Minneapolis is a Clear Channel station right?

John Nene - Yes, it is.

John Beaudin - Shannon and I have often spoke about moving down to the U.S. to do Smooth Jazz and I know there would be a good chance of working for Clear since they've invested so much into the format. I think Clear Channel owns the world. Hell, I think they own my mom! (laughing) It was a hostile take-over but they got her!

John Nene - (laughing) Yeah, they probably own my mom too I think!

John Beaudin - The good thing about Clear coming into a city and doing Smooth Jazz is that they understand the format. At least they have invested a lot of time and money into this format. Plus of course they own the biggest Smooth Jazz consulting firm B.A. - Broadcast Architecture.

John Nene - That's very true they have a very good understanding of it.

John Beaudin - When you came to KJZI was there an adjustment period with Smooth Jazz?

John Nene - Well, like I said I knew who Dave Koz was and Chris Botti and then I discovered that I knew other people from their work in Rock 'n Roll. It definitely was an adjustment but it wasn't nearly as difficult or as awkward as I originally thought it would be. It's come fairly easily.

John Beaudin - How did you find the audience compared to another format? Obviously they're more mature.

John Nene - Yeah and they know their stuff. There's one thing about this format if you're going to do it you have to immerse yourself in it. If you want to have a conversation with the audience you really have to know what you're talking about. That audience can go deep on you. They know their stuff!

John Beaudin - Were there names that you screwed up in the beginning?

John Nene - (laughing) Oh gosh, I'm sure there were many. I really try to be careful with names.

John Beaudin - Yeah, well that's a good thing especially with guys like Craig Chaquico and Ivan Lins in the format. People are always screwing up their names. I had a chap here in Calgary come up to me and remind me that in 1987 I screwed up Andreas Vollenweiders name.

John Nene - Jeff Kashiwa was one that where I wasn't sure where to put the emphasis.

John Beaudin - Yeah, Jeff gets his name screwed up a lot and it's too bad because he's a good guy.

John Nene - (laughing) You have to know your stuff. It's really important.

John Beaudin - Do you see yourself in this format for a long time?

John Nene - I have to tell you just looking at where I am right now I really like it. We've had a few artists come in and play live and I love that. It's really fun to have these guys come in and get to know them up close and personal.

John Beaudin - Lets talk about some specific acts that you've talked to for instance, Michael McDonald. He's on our website but I had to pass on the interview because I was out of town. Cliff Dumas our former morning man at the Breeze did it and I have to tell you when I transcribed that interview he sounded so different than what I thought he would. He's really laid back which really shouldn't surprise anyone because that's how he sings but he was really, really laid back.

John Nene - My experience was kind of similar. Just talking to him in the studio I almost forgot who he was because he's such a regular guy. He could be living next door to you. Yes, he was very low key and somewhat soft spoken but then we got back in the studio and he sat down on the keyboard and then I heard that voice that I've heard my entire life. As for the interview he seemed somewhat introspective and he really seemed like a great guy.

John Beaudin - You talked to David Sanborn. You lucky dog. (laughing)

John Nene - Well, he was coming to the twin cities to do a show and we just lucked out. Mike Wolf our Music Director had a lot to do with setting it up. I talked to him on his cell phone while he was on the road heading to the airport. He actually seemed a little bit frazzled.

John Beaudin - I've had a few interviews on cell phones while the artist was on the road it sometimes can be a shortcut into knowing the little secrets of an artist because they're so damn distracted they lower the wall inspite of themselves. So with Sanborn you didn't get the quality time you wished you could have with him.

John Nene - Exactly. He was kind of on the run but gosh if you get a chance to talk to David Sanborn I'll take it any way I can get it.

John Beaudin - Your Anita Baker interview was recent right?

John Nene - Yeah, it was late last year. She was a person that I had heard might be a little difficult to talk to but she was just great. Talking to Anita Baker was like talking to a long lost friend. She was such a sweetheart and so gracious.

John Beaudin - I was so happy to hear that she's coming back this year and has signed a two album deal with Blue Note. I've missed her.

John Nene - Absolutely. She did a concert here in early January and it was like she hadn't missed a beat. You could tell she was having so much fun on stage. It'll be fun to hear what she's got cookin.'

John Beaudin - My partner Shannon buys 'In Touch' magazine every week and it's really just based on someone's celebrity that's all but I still read it as a guilty pleasure. Every week I read about the drama stories in that celebrity lifestyle but you know as much as anything JLO makes we want to vomit I have to admit having that much popularity is hard to live with. Let me ask you what do you think would have happened to you if you became a huge celebrity at sixteen?

John Nene - Boy, that's a good question!

John Beaudin - Would you have taken it well?

John Nene - That's a tough question. You know I feel like I've always been fairly grounded. I think I get that from my parents. I've always been kind of laid back but it's still hard to live with that kind of fame. Those kinds of experiences could have led to anywhere but I do feel like I would have handled it well. I feel that some famous rock star sometimes act as if their fame is owed to them where I feel lucky to have anything I have.

John Beaudin - So when you're in a good situation you know it.

John Nene - I think I do. I'm pretty happy with where I am right now. Gosh, I could be out working construction somewhere.

John Beaudin - Did your parent get what you wanted to do when you first got into broadcasting?

John Nene - They've always been extremely supportive. I always felt like they believed in me. I owe just about everything to them. (laughing) There were probably a couple of time when they raised an eyebrow but for the most part they've been nothing but supportive.

John Beaudin - Do you have siblings?

John Nene - I don't. I'm an only child.

John Beaudin - I was watching Dateline NBC or 20/20 or one of those news magazine shows last night and they were talking about pecking order in families and the roles that siblings have depending on when they come in. Only children get a rap for being spoiled I'm sure you've heard that one. (laughing)

John Nene - (laughing) That's the first thing that comes up anytime someone asks me about it.

John Beaudin - Well were you?

John Nene - (laughing) Well, It's hard for me to say but I don't think so and in the neighborhood where I grew up I was surrounded by a few other only children who became my friends and almost became my brothers and sisters in a way.

Part two posted June 13, 2004

John Beaudin - Was there anyone that you've ever interviewed that made you feel like you were ten years old?

John Nene - Sure, Michael McDonald. I had a chance to meet BB King a couple of times. He was like Santa Claus and just a big, friendly, nice guy. I was lucky enough to go on his tour bus. Sometimes he has a few people come on his tour bus after the shows and one night I was one of the lucky few. He's really nice about it and he will take pictures and sign things easily. Think of the things that this guy has seen. He is musical history and very important musical history at that. He has lived through it all and he is still cranking' it out. His schedule is just amazing!

John Beaudin - How hands on is your Program Director, Bob Wood? Do you two have air-check meetings often?

John Nene - Well, not that often actually. I think the last air check meeting was four to six months ago.

John Beaudin - Well, there are two ways of looking at that. Some Program Directors don't rely too heavily on air-check meetings because they trust their staff or else they just lucked out on announcers who work really hard. The other side of that is a lot of broadcasters can be very lazy and get into bad habits, for instance with local content.

John Nene - With Bob, he is just really meticulous on who he hires. He nitpicks and drives himself crazy. I think once he gets someone in place for the most part he feels pretty confident that they can do the job.

John Beaudin - I've had both sides of it and I have had Program Directors in the past who have had air checks way too often and that can backfire. You don't want to get the announcers to think too much about every word they are saying. The other extreme of that is you have to motivate them and they need to be excited sitting behind the mic. Have you had some bad Program Directors that have got on you a little too much?

John Nene - No, I have been pretty lucky with that. I haven't had any real psycho P.D.'s in my past. I have certainly heard the stories from other people about being called on the hotline.

John Beaudin - My first Program Director use to call me on the hotline and critique my last few breaks and the conversation usually ended with, "John, I am not sure if this is working out." (laughing)

John Nene - (laughing) Especially if you are just starting off, that is just the wrong thing to do. It will throw your confidence right off. I was just so lucky that most of the stations I was working at earlier on were very loosely run. They just kind of let you do your thing. There were the occasional air checks maybe once a year. Once they got you in there they were confident that you could do the job. One of the things that I really like about Bob Wood is that you can sit down with him and truly psychoanalyze things and he more than capable of doing that. He is just not one of those types to call you on the hotline. John, I am curious, what is the hardest interview you have ever done?

John Beaudin - A few of the rockers while I was doing a syndicated show called "The Cross Canada Report." Myles Goodman of April Wine was a little frosty in the beginning but near the end of the interview, he warmed up quite a bit. Actually, in the middle of the interview he stopped looked at me and said, "Sorry about this, I am just really tired and don't take it personally." I really appreciated his honesty. What about you? What were the tough interviews for you?

John Nene - Well, the difficulties were mostly from my end especially in the beginning. I think you said a great thing before we started about sometimes following your nose in life. You can't prepare too much sometimes. You can't prepare for where the interview is going to go.

John Beaudin - You have to be good on your feet.

John Nene - That is very true. So if there were obstacles I would be harder on myself than the interview subject. I have never had anyone who has been overtly difficult to deal with.

John Beaudin - What was it like working in Pittsburg?

John Nene - I loved it!

John Beaudin - Were you a hockey fan and were you loving the Pittsburg Penguins?

John Nene - Yes, I was but they are certainly struggling now. Let's hope they stay in Pittsburg.

John Beaudin - So I get a feeling that you are not going to give me any dirt on crazy broadcasters you have worked with.

John Nene - (laughing) Well, I have certainly worked with my share of crazy people but I don't think any of the stories would be interesting enough. Who knows maybe someone called me that at some point.

Part Three posted June 27, 2004

John Beaudin - John, when it comes to interviews what is consciously in your mind? Do you have an angle or do you just follow your nose. Some of the most gratifying interviews have come from artists that I have naturally clicked with and because there was chemistry we both opened up quite a bit. So the audience of course wins by getting to know the artist.

John Nene - When I have done my interviews I think my tendency has been to be a little more nervous at first but like you said John, if you just talk to them and you are comfortable ninety- nine percent of the time they will be too.

John Beaudin - What was the first concert you ever went to?

John Nene - It was Boston.

John Beaudin - I have always been a big Boston fan. I think Brad Delp is one of the best rock singers of all time. I have read quite a few bad reviews of them in concert though, did you like them?

John Nene - It was my first concert experience so I look back on it pretty fondly. You are right they do get a bad rap. You know what I have always loved is an album that is great to drive to and Boston is one of those groups to me.

John Beaudin - Tell me about some of the heavier music you listen to?

John Nene - Well, I have always leaned towards the Blues actually. So, I gravitated towards Led Zepplin and I have always been a big fan of Pink Floyd and groups like that.

John Beaudin - Are there artists that you are rediscovering now that you didn't get a chance to when you were younger?

John Nene - That is a good question. I have done that before where you listen to something in your teens but you kind of get a way from it and you go back to it when you are older and you see it at a different angle. I certainly did that with the Beatles.

John Beaudin - You read a lot, right?

John Nene - Yes, I am always reading something. That is something my parents instilled in me. Right now I am reading a book called "The Five People You Meet In Heaven." It starts at the end of the character's life and supposedly after you die you meet five people. These are five people whose lives you have affected in some way. It may not even be a person you know. The book is written by Mitch Albom.

John Beaudin - What is your favorite book of all time?

John Nene - I would say "Lonesome Dove" by Larry McMurtry. I got the chicken pox and I have never been a fan of westerns but a few weeks before I got the chicken pox, I was in a bookstore and I saw that book. So, while I was ill that was all I was reading.

John Beaudin - When you had that first job was it a real tough experience for you or did you take to it easily right away.

John Nene - Oh, pretty much easily right away but I never pinned all my hopes on it. I was actually working other jobs and doing other things at the same time.

John Beaudin - If a seventeen year old kid wanted advice about getting into radio, what would you tell them?

John Nene - Well, it just such a different world now then when I got in. It is just so hard now for someone coming up. In the old days you could start on an overnight shift in a small town but now all those stations are automated at midnight. There is no place to cut your teeth.

John Beaudin - You have talked to a few different types of audiences in your career. How do you find this 35-54 audience?

John Nene - Well, first of all they are a lot more sophisticated. They are passionate about the music and they know their stuff. I have had no problems with this audience and they have been genuinely nice and appreciative that we are bringing them this music.

John Beaudin - John, thank you so much for letting me profile you on the site. I appreciate your time.

John Nene - John, thank you. This has been a lot of fun and you know I love the website.