One word: Fun!
If what you put on the radio sounds 'fun' listeners will have a good time listening. That's why the great disc jockeys were so popular... they sounded like they were having a great fun time, and the listeners were attracted to it because it made them part of the good time.
And that is the formula for success.
Agree 100%! When I was growing up I listened to other stations besides CHUM here in Toronto. Especially WABC New York and WLS Chicago at night just because of Wolfman Jack and Cousin Brucie. It was the DJs that made it great, not just announcing the songs.
There were so many top names during the days of great DJs... Ron Lundy, Dan Ingram, Jack Carney, Dick Clayton, Mort Crowley, King Richard and many more.
Another DJ -- Gary Owens.
100%. This is how I've done my live commercial station shows for the past 50 years. Fun is the key.