K-105: a big hit for country

K-105's Hometown Morning Show team also was a finalist for Broadcast Personality of the Year.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
BOARDMAN -- WQXK-FM 105.1 is a small-market radio station, according to the Arbitron company that measures broadcast audiences, but the Country Music Association has chosen K-105 for a big honor.
When the CMA hands out trophies Tuesday for the best songs, musicians and videos of the last year, it also will present Radio Station of the Year awards to KMPS in the major market of Seattle; WFMS in Indianapolis, a large market; WIVK in Knoxville, Tenn., medium market; and K-105.
This was the third nomination and first win for K-105, one of the Mahoning Valley's highest-rated radio stations.
Radio stations were judged on 25-minute airchecks, or samples of their broadcasts; ratings history; community involvement, such as K-105's participation in an annual telethon for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; and leadership. Winners were chosen after two rounds of judging by broadcast professionals.
The award not only will give K-105 nationwide distinction, it comes despite the fact that "people still think country is a Southern thing," says DJ Doug James. "It's a real coup."
Whether that translates into even more celebrity interviews when the Hometown Morning Show broadcasts from Nashville for four days, beginning Monday, remains to be seen. Program director Dave Steele believes the award already has made a difference; he recently interviewed Toby Keith on the air.
Still, "You can't let that stuff get ahead of the fact that you have to be a good broadcaster," Steele said. "The ability to get interviews doesn't mean you're doing a good job. You pay attention to the nuts and bolts. What matters is what happens between records."
That's what a reporter wanted to experience by spending a few hours recently at K-105's home in the Radio Center on Simon Road. K-105 and five other stations in the Cumulus Broadcasting chain are located there.
On-air personalities
Besides the station award, James and his morning show partner, Mary Ann McGraff, received their first nomination for CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year. The winners in their division are from a station in Champaign, Ill.
While Graff has worked exclusively at country stations, James says his first on-air job was playing polka music: "I really, really wanted to get in radio."
That's the thing about James -- you're never sure when the jokes begin or end.
The yin and yang of their on-air relationship was summed up with one call from a listener. James, a lanky guy with a deep voice, offered the usual how-ya-doin' greeting. Can't complain, the man replied.
"Good," James said playfully, "'cause I don't want to hear it."
"I'll listen to you," the brunette Graff chimed in, oozing sympathy.
Both have roots here. Graff is from Youngstown. James is from New Middletown.
"The fact that we live here is important," Graff said. "We have family here, we have history."
"We've grown up through the crappy times -- the steel mills, the criminal politicians. We may have voted for a few of them," James said.
"When we talk about stuff, the way it was, people relate to that," Graff added.
Listeners relate to them, too.
"People retain stuff you talk about," Graff said. "Absolutely, that is key to our success. People know us."
Friendly banter
Outside the studio, when Graff is seen alone, people will ask where James is. "They expect that package deal," she said.
James often feigns dislike of Graff, who says they disagree on almost everything. Is this just show-biz? No, they insist.
"She knows how to absorb my stupidity," James said. "A lot of people don't know how to associate." Nodding at Graff, "You don't take it to heart, the things I say or do."
"I see a therapist, Doug," she replied.
James and Graff have worked together long enough to be spontaneous. Their on-air discussions are a combination of what's in the news or what's happening in their lives, such as Graff's invitation to attend a purse party and James getting cited for fishing without a license.
"We've gotten to the point that we don't talk much in the morning," James said. "I like to blast her with it. If you know what's coming, your reaction isn't the same."
"It's been years since we scripted anything," Graff said.
The rest of the K-105 staff is experienced, too. "We don't have any little kids here," James said, citing Burton Lee's quarter-century in broadcasting and Steele's resume.
At some stations, DJs are using scripts. "To me, that's not radio," Steele said. "That's a 24-hour continuous advertising loop ... It's the ability to turn on a microphone and talk to people, not at people, that's the beauty of this radio station."
Loves country
Graff and James were asked what's so great about country music.
"A paycheck," James said. Then he became serious. "I was a rock 'n' roll boy growing up. I think [country is] the kind of music I can relate to. I don't want to hear the Allman Brothers. I don't want to hear Styx over and over."
Country music artists are "normal-er" than their peers in other genres, James added. He cited the CMA awards as an example because of the number of performers who make themselves available for interviews.
Steele appreciates how the DJS have personalized their shows: "Every person can go to a market and drop [his or her] show in. It's how you relate to listeners and put them on the air."
Shows generally are family-oriented, and occasionally a little edgy, although not to the extent that they are "alarmingly offensive," he said.
Another thing K-105 won't do is repeat its award feat next November. Nominees are not eligible to win in consecutive years.
shaulis@vindy.com