Atlanta CityMag -
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Published on: 5/7/2007
Last Visited: 2/21/2008
Jennifer Reed
What You See Is What You Get: Classic Rock's Femininity Blast
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One of the stations competing for that audience is 96rock, Atlanta's classic rock powerhouse, home of the Braves broadcasts and the new home of Jennifer Reed, a tall, leggy import from Dallas brought in earlier this summer to take over the three to seven afternoon drive shift and provide a welcome blast of femininity to the male dominated rock lineup.
Before our interview, I caught a glimpse of what kind of person Jennifer really is.While waiting in the lobby of the Clear Channel/96rock offices, I heard the familiar ding of the elevator and as the doors opened, a loud, resonant belly laugh filled the lobby.Jennifer exited still chuckling, ending her conversation with a big smile and a, "it was nice to meet you," before heading into the studio.The forty-something, average guy fan who shared the elevator ride was still smitten and grinning from ear to ear when he walked up to the receptionist to fill out a form and claim his radio prize.While she definitely does have the whole hot rock chick thing going on the outside, it is her approachability and openness both on and off the air that makes her such a favorite with her listeners."I'm really just a simple girl ...
Born and raised in Dallas, Jennifer initially wanted a career in television news, "I wanted to be Barbara Walters or Diane Sawyer."Yet it's hard to imagine her as a prim and proper news anchor type while strutting around in tight jeans, high heels and a cowboy hat.Unfortunately, the world was denied a much needed sexy news anchor by a chance occurrence.While in college she was looking for some media-related part time work and figured, "why not try radio."When filling out an application at a local station and not surprisingly chatting away with the receptionist, the general manager approached her and said, "You've got a great voice!Do you want a job?"It sounds like a scene from a bad after-school special, but it's true.And she does have a great voice.Even off the air it's a radio voice, resounding and full with a hint of a sultry rasp.
She has worked her way up from being "so excited," about getting on the air for a thirty-second weather report to being the face of one of Atlanta's most well-known stations."I love radio," she told me, "it gets in your blood- anyone who has ever worked in radio will tell you, once it gets in your blood you're hooked."But it's not just about playing records and leading into and out of breaks that makes it so much fun for her.A big part of her job is getting out and meeting her listeners, like the fan in the elevator.
Reed spent this summer making appearances all over Atlanta and trying to get to know the city and her audience.She told me, "the reaction has been terrific ...
After spending some time with her it becomes evident that her enthusiasm and energy make it impossible for her to be a clock punching DJ that sticks to the play list and keeps a low profile.Every morning she surfs the web looking for interesting stories and "human interest stuff ...
Everyday the main feature of her show is the 4:20 Smoke Break.The suggestive title should cue you in on the nature of the bit.For Jennifer it's an, "opportunity to depart from the norm and play something a little funky, a little crunchy, and different than we might normally play."It's a listener driven segment, or as Jennifer puts it, "roll your own," where she allows them to pick the songs and cuts that aren't part of the standard classic rock rotation to add a taste of something new.
As much as 96rock may be known for the Regular Guys antics in the morning and Deep Purple and Foghat blasting it out in the afternoon, after last year, it is also known as the ‘Home of the Braves'.
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That means that most nights this summer Jennifer has lead right into the Braves pre-game show and while nobody expects expert analysis from her, there is a little bit of pressure to know the game more than the average FM disc jockey.
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After a quick intro off the air, Jennifer went back to her seat, but it appeared that Skip couldn't keep his mind on the game and asked Braves fans, "Do you know what's wrong with Jennifer Reed?"He paused for a moment, which probably caused a collective gasp in the studio until he finished with "Nothin'!"
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That genuine quality is what's unique and interesting about Jennifer.Any girl who's favorite band is Led Zeppelin and admits to being a huge sports fan brings to mind a certain tomboy image, but she also admits to having "a weakness for chocolate and clothes ...
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Jennifer Reed really is the person that you hear on the radio: she's funny, sassy and fun to spend time with.Ultimately, she's into reaching out and providing some entertainment for the masses making their way home every afternoon.
While she admits that "my show really is about the music," there's more to it for her and she tries to bring the listener in a little closer.Perhaps that's why there are times when broadcasting from the seventh floor of the 96rock studio overlooking Peachtree she told me that she'll "walk over to the window and look down at a car that's driving down the street and look at the person [inside] and try to picture that I'm talking to that person.It's just like having a conversation."
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