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10 Questions with ... Rob Rush
October 17, 2006
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NAME:Rob RushTITLE:WMJC Night Jock/APDMARKET:Long IslandCOMPANY:Long Island Radio GroupBORN:June 5, 1977 in QueensRAISED:Queens
1) Please outline your radio career so far:
WHPC/Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY, WKJY/Garden City, NY, WLIR-WDRE-WXXP/Garden City, NY
Currently WKJY-WBZO-WHLI-WMJC/Farmingdale, NY. (There were no more stations in Garden City!)
I am also the public announcer for the New York Dragons in the Arena Football League, and I often back up my good friend Alex Anthony at Shea Stadium as the PA announcer for the Mets.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I always wanted to be an entertainer of sorts, whether it be as a musician or a DJ. I was at Nassau Community College and tried out for the radio station (WHPC) there. I got called a week later and was told they liked my sound, and to start the following Monday at 10am. From there, I just fell in love with the business (I must have mental issues!!)
3) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
There are so many talented jocks in the NY/Long Island area. Some of my favorites are Jodi Vale on KJOY 98.3. She is just a great jock. Tight, knows her cues and is a professional...sometimes. (Just kidding!) Others would have to be some of the old WCBS jocks like Bobby Jay & Don K. Reed. I cannot leave out the two people that helped me hone my craft in the industry who are great jocks in their own rights; Gary Cee of 101.5 WPDH in Poughkeepsie, and Andre Ferro on WDRE (PARTY 105) on Long Island, and of course, Howard [Stern].
4) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
I think so. Anyone who works in the business knows that you could make more money doing other jobs, but ultimately if you don't love your job, that's all it is, a job. I feel really fortunate that I love going into work everyday. I hear so many of my friends tell me how they just sit around all day at their jobs and wait for the 5 o'clock whistle to blow. That's not for me man.
5) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
My father was a police officer and my brother was an MP in the Air Force, so I guess it would be something in law enforcement. Either that or I would be a musician.
6) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?
Classic Rock or Active Rock. I love Rock N' Roll radio and had an absolute blast when I was on 98.5 The Bone. I had a noon feature called "Bone-Appetite" where I played anything from Motley Crue to Slayer. Jon Daniels (who is my Program Director at Island 94.3) was my PD there and gave me a tremendous amount of freedom. It was just a blast!
7) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?
I'd have to say Coldplay. My girlfriend really likes them and got me tickets to go with her to the show earlier this year at Nassau Coliseum. I was kind of like "Oh, I guess I'll go" and was really happy that I did. They definitely impressed me. They had a lot of energy and Chris Martin knows how to capture the crowd in the palm of his hand.
8) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Being myself. Not falling into the "ego" thing that some radio people have. I think that if you're a good person good things will come your way. Also, learning new things. In this day and age you really can't just be a "jock" anymore. The more knowledge you possess, be it in promotions, production, programming, etc, then the more employable you will become.
9) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air? (dead air ... forget a mic was still on ... etc.)
Every time I'm on the air!!
10) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
The best advice I would give to anyone who wants to get into the radio business is make sacrifices. Radio can be fun and dare I say glamorous at times, but radio is NOT a 9-5 job. If you are thinking about a career, just be ready to be open-minded to working all different hours sacrificing a lot of your free time and learn, learn learn! As we continue to march forward into the future and with technology changing a lot of the aspects of our business, you must not be afraid to learn new things. If you do that, like I said earlier you will become more employable and be viewed as more of an asset wherever you land.
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