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10 Questions with ... Shawn Prebil
January 2, 2008
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NAME:Shawn PrebilTITLE:Co-Host of The Wisconsin GuysSTATION:WTDY-AMARKET:Madison, WICOMPANY:Mid-West Family BroadcastingBORN:Waukesha, WIRAISED:Waukesha, WI
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
1999-Current- Mid-West Family Broadcasting
1. What attracted you to work in radio? Why radio? And how did you get your start?
I thought it would be fun. I chose radio because when I was younger, people used to say, "you sound like the guy on the radio." I got my start because a news director was tired of Saturday mornings and I was able to read. I called our news department by accident (I wanted to talk to our program director) looking for a board op job. When I got the newsroom, our then-news director said, "you have a good voice, can you read?" I could, so I got the job. For the next few months I was driving to Madison from Waukesha to rip and read Saturday mornings. I was so bad I should have been fired. The nice thing was because it was early Saturday mornings, my screw-ups flew completely under the radar.
2. About what are you most passionate these days?
Illegal immigration and beer. I can talk for hours on either. I feel like I'm the only person who thinks rationally about immigration and beer. Who doesn't love talking about beer?
3. You're a Wisconsin native, and you're now, on the air, one of the "Wisconsin Guys." What IS a "Wisconsin Guy?" And is there more to him than cheese, beer, and the Packers and Badgers?
A little over a year ago, our "new" program director, Glen Gardner, told me about this idea he had for a new show. He said "think of it as a couple of guys sitting out ice fishing, they're just talking, telling jokes and enjoying life." At the time I was doing a traditional opinion-based morning show. I was personally getting burned out on it, mostly because I was so one dimensional. The Wisconsin Guys do not avoid serious issues, we just approach it differently. Murph and I regularly ask each other after seeing an interesting story, "How do The Wisconsin Guys handle this?" We tend to focus on the lighter side of an issue, but make no mistake, there are still times things get heated.
4. You're no conservative, but do you feel kinship with the "progressive talk" exemplified by your cross-market competition and the Air America network? How are you different from what they do?
I am a proud Liberal, a very progressive one at that. Early on, when Air America was just coming in the market, I have to admit I was a little excited. One incident involving a "liberal talker" really killed that excitement for me. I honestly thought that they were gonna do things different from the conservative talkers, be more honest and critical. Unfortunately they are just as bad, if not worse. In their world, Democrats can do no wrong, and when they do, it's nothing but spin and talking points from most of the hosts -- it's really sad. It sounds like a bunch of liberal Sean Hannity wannabes. As I mentioned earlier, I don't really do the "they're wrong, I'm right" thing. even when I was doing more controversial talk, it was never about right/left, Democrat/Republican or anything like that. Right now, the country is focused on immigration, and I agree with the President, for the most part. Because I'm pushing an agenda, I can say that and I do. Rather then telling people they are racist for not agreeing with me, we can honestly talk about the issue and, at the end of the day, I think most people come around.
5. Who was the best interview subject you've ever had on the air? Who was the worst?
We've had a few really great interviews. The day of the Virginia Tech massacre I sent out a bunch of e-mails through MySpace looking for someone who was near the shootings and willing to talk about it. Murph and I talked to a young college kid named Lucas who was there as it happened. He was very much still in shock, but very open to what he saw and heard, it was amazing!
As far as worst, there have been a few. A few years ago I had a gal in to talk about some event around Madison. She came in and seemed really nervous, I told her "don't worry, we won't ask any tough questions"; she said, "but what should I say?" Turns out she honestly didn't know what to say! She was a last minute replacement and thought I was gonna have information on her event for her -- that was not good, not good at all.
6. Who are your radio influences?
Roe Conn, Bill Handel and Sly. Absolutely the best in the business.
7. Of what are you most proud?
I have never been fired. A lot of people have told me through the years that "you haven't really been in radio unless you've been fired" I should have a couple of times early on -- does that count?
8. What do you do for fun?
I recently bought a big old boat. It has become a winter project for me. I've never been much of a handyman so it is turning in to a bit of an adventure. I've learned you don't call a toilet "the toilet," it's a head... why can't things be simple?
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________.
...Mountain Dew, the Internet and a good nap. I consider me a professional napper!
10. What's the best advice you ever got? The worst?
The best advice I ever have gotten was from Tommy Kramer. There is no one piece of advice; it was all brilliant.
The worst was from a former host on our station who told me after he had his first child "have a kid, it instantly increases your credibility." He may have been right -- he's in a top 10 market.
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