A Life In Radio: Jay Kline

Radio veteran Jay Kline has been in the business for over 25 years now. Back in his hometown of Butler, Jay is celebrating his 10th official year as the DJ of WLER 97.7 FM-- now known as The Rock Station.

Sitting in a comfortable chair, that sinks a little low every so often (despite not being prompted), Jay Kline, 46, oversees a board of controls that operate WLER 97.7 FM-- also known as The Rock Station.

Kline is the program director, as well as the morning show host on The Rock Station. He's been in radio for over 25 years, and it's a result of chasing a lifelong passion.

"I would hear the guys on the radio back when I was growing up," Kline said. "They were larger than life. They were almost like the Wizard of Oz, standing behind the curtain, and no one could see them."



Kline is now in the same position as some of his idols growing up. But, a life in radio is never one of guaranteed safety. He's bounced around from market to market, like most people do in radio. He spent time in Pittsburgh on the number one rated station, 102.5 WDVE, to time on first-ever job in local AM radio in Butler, WISR 680 AM.



"When you get a chance to be on major radio stations, it's a lifelong dream come true," Kline said.

 

Kline ended up in Pittsburgh, after his station in Beaver Falls was bought out by a major corporation. While at 106.7 The Force, their ratings had begun to take away from Pittsburgh's number one station, WDVE. The corporation that owned DVE, bought out The Force and changed formats immediately. With the change, Kline became the first official DJ on what was the brand new station, The X.

Kline had that chance from 1995-1996, working part-time in the Pittsburgh market. He also spent time at B94 (93.7 FM) and KISS FM (96.1). However, Kline knew a stable job was a good job, and that's what he found back in his hometown of Butler.



"I was working part-time for stations in Youngstown and in Butler," Kline said. "My bosses in Butler gave me an opportunity to be in control and program 97.7 FM, which was alluring to me. It was also a full-time job and more money, which was a big factor because I ultimately had to pay the bills."

Up in the morning at 4:30 a.m. Jay jokes working the morning
show shift takes about 10 years off your life.

For Kline, working in the local market allowed him to get to the roots of what he believes radio is about.

Inside the production studio, Jay voices a commercial.

Work in local radio requires you to be a jack-of-all-trades, Kline said.

"It brought me back to the days of playing records in my house growing up," Kline said. "It's not that I could play whatever I wanted to, but I was in control of what was being played. There was no corporate play list. I was going to be in charge of the plane, and I still am."

He, along with another DJ at the now three stationed owned Butler Media Group, Bob Cupp, made the transition of taking 97.7 FM from All Hitz, which was adult contemporary, to The Rock Station, which is just what the name says it is, a rock station.

Through all these changes though, it's been Kline's passion for radio that continues to drive him each and every day.

In addition to hosting the morning show, Jay also hosts the 

all request hour at noon. "You can't be one-dimensional in 

local radio," Kline said.

"I don't want to say it's not hard work, because I put a lot of time and energy into what I do," Kline said. "But it's a different kind of work. I love what I do, and that makes things a lot easier."

Working in radio, also comes with a number of other advantages, Kline said.

"I'm getting paid to do what I love," Kline said. "The perks are great too. The concerts, the people you get to meet, as well as the free food."

The move from big market to small market, and vice-versa, is something that a lot of radio personalities face. Another radio host for the Butler Media Group, Tracey Morgan, worked for KDKA-AM in Pittsburgh before arriving back in her hometown of Butler.

"It's a give and take," Morgan said. "It's definitely more family-friendly working in the small market."

"Most of the time, schedules aren't flexible in big markets, especially during sweeps week," Morgan said. "But, big markets also are hugely beneficial because they are constantly updating technology, so you're always getting the newest equipment."


Ultimately, Kline just loves that his job is his passion.

"My lifelong dream, ever since I was a kid, was to be on the radio," Kline said. "I never thought it was possible. Turns out it was."

Web Biography Proposal: Jay Kline

I would like to do a profile on Jay Kline, a radio DJ for WLER 97.7 FM. He’s been the host of the morning show for the last 10 years or so, but has had an extensive career in radio, including stops in Pittsburgh, Youngstown, and Cleveland.

He’s interesting to talk to, and has seen quite a bit through his years in radio. He’s seen a move from reel-to-reel and “splice editing,” to now everything being run by computers. He’s also the program director for the station and oversaw a change from an adult-contemporary format to a rock format. Jay can provide a nice story of what life is like in the radio business and how he came to this point.

He can also tell the difference in jobs throughout radio—big market compared to small market. 

I think the videos would be compelling and a career biopic could tell an interesting story in a multi-media platform.

Why Don't Women Run for Political Office?

Dr. Kristin Kanthak came to Slippery Rock University to present her study on Why Women Don't Run for Political Office.

In front of a packed house in Spotts, Dr. Kanthak talked about some of her reasons she found in her study that showed why women don't run for political office. Her main takeaway was that women have higher standards in running for office. Dr. Kanthak said women expect themselves to either be the best or great at that position, while men think they can be pretty good and run.

Why Don't Women Run for Political Office

On November 23 there is an event called Why Don't Women Run for Political Office?

It's part of the political science speaker series and is being coordinated by Dr. Heather Rice. I think this is relevant to not only students at Slippery Rock because it is being conducted on campus-- but I also think it's an issue facing our generations.

Geena Davis stars in ABC's Commander 

in Chief as President Mackenzie Allen. 

The show (2005-2006) lasted  one season.

User reviewer Wendy A. on Metacritic's

website said, "It was one of the better show's

to watch."

There could be some interesting facts proposed by different sets of speakers throughout the evening, which would make for some nice direct quotes to use for the video. Also, the timing of this event is extremely prevelant considering the impact of the election has had on the media cycle so far.

It may not be earth-shattering news, but I do think it would make for a good video, especially if there are a variety of speakers. Also, there could be some interesting links to post throughout the video. Links to news, profiles on different women who've run for office, perhaps articles that have additional viewpoints on the subject at hand.

Kwik Fill Construction

SLIPPERY ROCK, PA (8:00 a.m.)-- Frequenters of the Kwik Fill gas station in downtown Slippery Rock were somewhat surprised to drive by the convenient store this morning to see caution tape and orange barrels surrounding the station.

The Kwik Fill gas station in downtown Slippery Rock is undergoing to repairs.

According to Kyle Crawford, a construction worker on the site, the station is undergoing beautification repairs and there is nothing wrong structurally with the station.

"We're just putting in new main-way risers and re-doing the concrete to make it more safe and make it look better," Crawford said.

He did not give an exact re-opening date for the Kwik Fill, but didn't expect it to be closed that long. Crawford said he expected the site to be closed though at least through today.

The sounds of jack-hammering can be heard consistently throughout downtown Slippery Rock. The process has some residents slightly upset, including frequenters of Kwik Fill. Resident Martin Zanicky, who was unaware of the changes on his way to Kwik Fill this morning, was surprised to see the convenient store closed.

Zanicky said the sounds weren't that irritating because he's become used to hearing pop-up noises in Slippery Rock all the time, but said he was more upset at the fact he couldn't go to the Kwik Fill for the shorter lines and what he said to be cheaper prices.

"It's not the end of the world that there's construction there, but it's kind of an inconvenience to have to go to Sheetz," Zanicky said.



The construction is having no effect on traffic in the area, in one of the busier sections of Slippery Rock. The intersection of Main Street and Franklin Street is one of the most traveled areas in the downtown area.

Side view of the construction at Kwik Fill

The Kwik Fill is one of three gas stations in the Franklin and Main intersection. The Marathon station sits catercorner to the Kwik Fill and Sheetz is directly across from it. The Sheetz moved there two years ago from its previous location on the corner of  Main Street and Cooper Street.

Crawford (left) looks on as the main-ways are jack-hammered around. 

There was no final word on when the Kwik Fill construction would be complete, but it appears to be an ongoing project that has no definitive end date. As mentioned above, there are still plenty of options for filling up with gas in the Slippery Rock area with two more gas stations directly around the Kwik Fill.

As mentioned above, traffic flow is not currently being effected by the construction.

The Impact of Ethan Linnon

Two weeks ago on Friday, October 16 Butler High School senior Ethan Linnon died in a car accident. His death was felt by virtually everyone in the Butler community. This past Friday, October 23 Butler  football hosted Fox Chapel for their final home game of the season. The winless Golden Tornado were looking for their first win of the season. With a packed crowd and Ethan's parents on the field for the coin toss, it was quite the emotional night.

Butler ultimately won 30-22 and it turned into one of the more wonderful scenes I've ever seen at a sporting event.

Upgrades at Slippery Rock's Athletic Facilities

Slippery Rock has their fair share of athletic facilities. From Mihalik-Thompson Stadium to Jack Critchfield Park, there are homes for every major sports. But, because structure don't live forever, there have been some repairs over the last few years.