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10 Questions with ... Ross Mahoney
June 9, 2009
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NAME:Ross MahoneyTITLE:APD/MD/nightsSTATION:WPBZMARKET:West Palm BeachCOMPANY:CBS RadioBORN:Boston, March 12 in the mid-'70sRAISED:West Palm Beach
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started interning at WPBZ in March 1996; part-time in September 1996; overnights in 2000; nights/programming assistant in 2004; then MD/afternoons in March 2007; APD/MD/nights in September 2008.
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Worked in a call center, sending people in Texas their lost food stamps cards
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
I bought three at the same time, Michael Jackson "Thriller," Van Halen "1984," and Quiet Riot "Metal Health."
FIRST CONCERT:
Twisted Sister and Dokken
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
Rage Against The Machine and Kid Rock
1. What do you like best about living in West Palm Beach?
It's a big enough city so that we are not culturally deprived of music and art, but not so much in the spotlight as say Miami. You can pace your life here. It can be fast-paced like Miami, LA, or New York or you can live in the sticks and get away from everything!
2. What are you most passionate about? Music is an obvious answer.
I think everyone in music radio or records does what they do because they are passionate about music. I am passionate about making this the best radio station. It's corny as hell, but true.
3. What has been the biggest change at the Buzz in the past year?
We have a local morning show again that is picking up steam every day. The Morning Buzz with Loper, Smitty, and Randi are really starting to take over the market. Our entire staff is really stepping up and taking on additional responsibilities. Not just at this station, but helping out at all of our CBS Radio stations in the building.
4. What is the most challenging part of your job?
Trying to keep up with our OM/PD John O'Connell. He programs three radio stations and is passionate about all of them. I am honestly in awe of the man. I am pretty sure, he isn't human. Nobody has that much energy and fresh innovative ideas. Another challenging part is being able to step out on some of the smaller records out there. Just because I like your record doesn't mean that we are adding it. I wish there were enough spots for every great song, but there aren't. It's very hard to justify a spot on your playlist for some artists when there always seems to be a Green Day, RHCP, Linkin Park, Foo Fighters, Incubus or Nickelback song out there. How do you not play monsters?
5. How would you describe your night show?
Very music intensive. I try to give the most up to date info or a history fact on every Buzz artist. I often get called Matt Pinfield Jr. or a walking encyclopedia. Other jocks on our station have told me they listen to me for show prep. I take pride in being the authority on the music we play. I have nights where I air a lot of phoners, but I don't use it as a crutch. I try to do at least one bit or cool game a night, but keep it all about the music.
6. What do you find most amusing about your audience? Most annoying?
The audience's passion for this radio station is the answer to both. It's a blessing and a curse. The Buzz audience will remember something about a jock or an artist and they will never live it down good or bad.
7. What are you most proud of since joining the station?
Just being able to come up through the ranks here and being trusted to help program the station and book Buzz Bake Sale, one of the most well known and attended radio festivals every year.
8. What stands out the most about your first few days in radio?
I remember how big rock music really was at that time. Music tends to move in cycles, and it seems like rock music is the step child. People really are passionate about rock and I think it will eventually come around again like it was in the '90s.
9. If you had the opportunity to move from West Palm Beach, what would be your dream job?
I would like to one day be involved in broadcasting for the Boston Red Sox or The New England Patriots.....or maybe be the "trim coordinator" for Kid Rock. Otherwise, I am pretty good where I am at.
10. What music do you listen to when you are away from the station?
Everything from Dr. Dre to Hank Williams Jr. to Neil Diamond to bands like Skindred and Nonpoint (in my opinion, the two most under-rated bands out there).
Bonus Questions
When you're not playing poker, what do you enjoy doing for fun?
I love going to concerts. I don't consider it work. Live music is something that I can't get enough of. I also enjoy hanging out watching dumb MTV shows with my dog.
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