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10 Questions with ... Bill McAllister
January 9, 2007
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NAME:Bill McAllisterTITLE:Host/ProducerSTATION:WKRK Live 97.1 Free FMMARKET: DetroitCOMPANY:CBS RadioBORN:DetroitRAISED: Southeast Michigan
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WKRK-Newsperson, board-op, Producer-Scott and Casey, Producer-Kramer and Twitch, Producer/On-air-Motor City Middays, On-air-Hamtramck House Party and Motor City Middays
NOTE: This interview was conducted before recent staff changes at WKRK.
1. How did you get into radio? Why?
I don't recommend anyone taking the route I did. I managed restaurants for ten years, all the while contemplating getting into radio. I finally decided enough was enough. I was lucky enough to land a gig in the WKRK newsroom in 2000, and here I am.
2. What are you passionate about?
Radio, of course. I also love music. Everything from Rush to Rodwhead (but not rap).
Also my charity, "Bill McAllister's Home for Wayward Sorority Girls."
3. Since a real Hamtramck House Party would likely involve polka music, and that's not what you do, describe what the show's about- what are you guys doing? What makes the show different?
What the show's about- what are you guys doing?
What makes the show different? We actually haven't ruled out the Polka music... but what makes the show different is ME-period.
4. What do you see yourself doing in ten years? Twenty?
10? Mornings in a major market.
20? Locating my birth parents.
5. What annoys you about your on-air partner (Bill McAllister) the most? What's his best feature?
He tends to overdo the Axe body spray sometimes. On the positive side, he wields a firm yet sympathetic hand. He's also a wonderful father to our children.
6. You've had weird animals and bugs and stuff in the studio, and you've given away Lions tickets (as further punishment?) to people who came in to eat disgusting bugs, "Fear Factor"-style. That raises the question: what grosses you out? And what won't you eat?
Nothing really grosses me out. I refuse to eat paper towel.
7. Who in radio are your influences, your mentors, the people to whom you listen?
Howard (of course), Drew and Mike, J.P. McCarthy, Motor City Middays w/ Jay and Michelle, Deminski and Doyle, The Junkies, and my dad (one of the funniest guys I know). (Editor's Note: Since the interview was conducted, Michelle McKormick left WKRK and Bill moved up to co-host MCM along with his Hamtramck House Party hosting duties, which means that he is now one of his own greatest influences)
8. What do you do for fun?
Bowling, softball and animal husbandry.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.
10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?
Best-"Be persistent. What do ya think, they're just gonna give you a job?"
Worst-"Keep applying ointment, that'll clear up in no time."
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