Erik Bradley began his career in the music industry as the Music Director at B96 in October 1993, and has since expanded his expertise, notably becoming the Music Director at 104-3 JAMS, and later advancing to Audacy Brand Manager in 2023. Erik's professional journey has included significant contributions to top 40 stations in Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas, and Dallas, as well as earlier radio programming roles in Charlotte, NC, and Kansas City, MO.
Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and raised in Cherryville, North Carolina, his interests span from his job in the music industry, working closely with artists like Mariah Carey, to enjoying both the bustle of big cities and the charm of small towns. Erik is an avid traveler, sports enthusiast cheering for the Atlanta Braves, Dallas Cowboys, and UNC Tar Heels, a foodie who loves exploring amazing restaurants, an active member of Lake Pointe Church, and a lover of all music genres, particularly pop, country, hip hop, R&B, dance, and contemporary Christian. In this interview we talk with Erik about his legendary career in the music industry spanning 30 years.
LEG: You recently celebrated 30 years on the B96 Chicago team! Congrats on that tremendous milestone and accomplishment! Can you tell us how you first got hired, what roles you’ve held during the years at the station, and what you think has been the key to your longevity?
Thanks, appreciate the good words! Yeah, those 30 years sure have flown by fast. I was hired by Todd Cavanah when he was promoted from Music Director to Program Director at B96 in October 1993. Picked up the same APD/MD duties at WBMX (104-3 JAMS, our throwback station) which we signed on the same day of the CBS Radio x Entercom (now Audacy) merger, November 17, 2017. Was promoted to Brand Manager of JAMS last year, and have held the same duties at B96 since day one. I also have some various national responsibilities on our Music Initiatives team, working closely with Michael Martin on a national basis; with Michael and Brian Kelly on the POP projects specifically.
LEG: You’ve played such an important role in helping radio to break so many different artists through the years including Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, P!nk to name just a few. Is there one project or artist that is the most memorable to you, and why?
It’s always Mariah. Always. She’s just too special to me on so many levels and for so many reasons, primarily because of her songwriting skill, vocal prowess, perfect pitch...she’s just a legendary artist. An all-timer. MC checks every single box. But just as important as the gift of all that immense talent, she’s a Hall of Fame human being too.
images courtesy of @EBUNC1
LEG: In June of 2023, Audacy elevated you to Brand Manager where you now play an important role on the National Team overseeing content strategy, talent, operations, branding, and more. What does a typical work day look like for you now in this new role?
I’m doing much of the same work, just with a slightly different title. I suppose the biggest adjustment is thinking of both local AND national at the same time about all things we’re doing and working on for the future."
LEG: You have built a reputation through the years of being a true music lover and loyal friend and partner to so many artists, labels, and managers alike. How do you think those relationships through the years and that stellar reputation have contributed to your success?
Well first of all, that’s so kind to say, thank you. I’ve always emphasized and put a high level of importance on cultivating those relationships. I’m lucky to be able to have dialogue with artists when they break and develop into icons. It’s nice to be able to have access to so many managers and of course my label friends are among some of my very best friends, in or out of our business."
images courtesy of @EBUNC1
LEG: In a time where social media and content strategy is essential for artists, how do you keep up with the daily trends, and create strategies in this ever-changing digital world?
By just trying to stay connected, everything changes so fast but staying engaged and relying on friends / coworkers that are so much more active in the space (namely, some of our talent, my guy Bru - @BruontheRadio - primary among them) - that makes it so much easier to keep up and stay ahead!
LEG: What artists are you listening to or loving right now that the mainstream audience might not be familiar with yet?
In addition to the formats that I work the closest with (pop and throwbacks/hip-hop) I love many other types of music. It’s such a nice escape from the norm. Two of my very favorite genres are country and contemporary Christian music. I love Brandon Lake on the worship music side. He’s incredible. And pretty much everything Elevation Worship releases, same for Maverick City. Jamie Miller, Phil Wickham, and Caleb & Kelsey have some of my faves right now. Some of the artists in country that I can’t get enough of include Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum, Jordan Davis, and of course Luke and Morgan.
LEG: In addition to your work at B96 in Chicago and with 104.3 JAMS, you spent several seasons as a co-music operator for Chicago Bulls home games which combined your love of music and sports! Michael Jordan once said “Losing is a part of winning”, which you learn as you get older and achieve success. What obstacles have you encountered that you considered failures at the time but that ultimately led to success? What did you learn from those experiences?
I learned that I needed much better time management and work/life balance. Those games, as much as I loved ‘em and was honored to be a very small part of the game day experience, it was a 6 hour commitment for each game, after working my real job all day, it just wasn’t sustainable. Fun times and great memories for sure (plus having that access was awesome), but having true balance is so much better and obviously more important.
LEG: If you could offer advice to someone who is trying to break into the music industry today, what would it be?
Be positive, passionate, prepared and hungry. Show up on time. Be consistent. Be memorable. Be kind. Talk less and do more. Take direction (be coachable). Have a strong work ethic. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Lastly, have a solid back-up plan (just in case things don’t work out the way you want them to).