Meet Amy Bishop of Classical 101.1 FM WRR in Fair Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Bishop.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
WRR was my first full-time radio job after I graduated from the University of North Texas in Denton. Until coming to WRR, I had spent a couple of years working in commercial radio around DFW, cobbling together about three or four part-time radio jobs with the hopes that I’d eventually land something full-time. Having been a loyal WRR listener all through college, I was thrilled when I saw that they had an opening for an on-air announcer. I applied and was offered the position, first as a weekend announcer, then eventually the morning show host.

In 2012, I left Dallas to pursue an exciting new radio opportunity for the NPR-affiliate in Houston for a few years and was lucky enough to also begin hosting the WRR-midday show from home in Houston a couple of years ago. I loved my job at KUHF in Houston, but Dallas is really where my heart is and I missed living here so much. When WRR opened up a position for Director of Marketing last fall, I applied and returned (physically) in January 2017. It is a really gratifying feeling to be working back at the place where it all began, with the opportunity to share my enthusiasm for DFW’s only classical music radio station. I have always believed that our station is a gem to the community, in a time when classical music stations elsewhere are dying. I am grateful that the City of Dallas supports our mission of elevating classical music and the arts for all of North Texas.

Has it been a smooth road?
Getting (and keeping) a job in radio is never easy, especially when you’re just starting out. For almost two years after college, I worked ALL kinds of crazy hours for different stations…. Usually either overnight or very early mornings. Although I was making enough to cover rent, etc. there was very little money left over at the end of each month and I also did not have health insurance, which was scary. Plus, I had student loans to pay off. I remember coming home from one of my overnight shifts at CBS Radio and opening up an unexpected (and big) bill. I sat down at my kitchen table in my tiny studio apartment and just started sobbing…. It seemed like I’d never get a steady job in the industry. However, I somehow had the sensibility to know that I was still the “kid” at most of the places where I worked and that success doesn’t happen overnight. Staying in the radio business is partly an endurance test and many people burn out before an opportunity comes along.

Additionally, radio is also an industry FULL of big egos and it’s important to know that you’ll inevitably have to work with someone who may be difficult. I think that revelation has helped me to handle some of the strong personalities that I have encountered. A hot head will not get a person far in this industry, but no matter how much you may dislike a person, never burn a bridge! You may need it later!

We’d love to hear more about your business.
WRR is the second-oldest radio station in the country and the oldest in Texas. We are one of the very few commercial classical music format radio stations in the U.S. Contrary to old perceptions of classical music being “for stuffy old people,” our audience is actually incredibly diverse. We have listeners of all ages and nationalities. Classical music is an art form that crosses borders and unites cultures.

As Director of Marketing, my job is to dissolve the stereotypes of the genre and show that our station is a breath of fresh air in a world of conflict and turmoil. I brag about WRR to everyone I know — and not just because I work here. It is an asset to supporting the arts of all types in North Texas. We bring unparalleled exposure to some of DFW’s biggest and smallest arts groups.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love Dallas and the entire Metroplex. It is southern hospitality with a cosmopolitan twist. I appreciate living in a city of people who prioritize having clean and aesthetically-pleasing surroundings with many cultural offerings. The people of North Texas value quality and support it. DFW is a world-class place for music and the arts and a hotbed of creative people, making it the perfect ecosystem for a vibrant classical music station.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1516 1st Ave
  Dallas, TX 75210
• Website: www.wrr101.com
• Phone: 214-670-8530
• Email: amy.bishop@wrr101.com

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