-
10 Questions with ... Sam Malone
September 12, 2006
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Sam MaloneTITLE:Talk Show Host/Morning Show HostMARKET:HoustonCOMPANY:Clear Channel
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WRTI/Philadelphia (Temple University), then Sarasota, Buffalo, KRBE/Houston, KHMX (Mix 96.5)-KTRH/Houston.
1. How did you get your start in radio? What diverted you from a business career after graduating Temple?
I got my start in radio reading the sports reports at Temple University's radio station WRTI-FM. My friend hooked me up with the once-a-week gig as a favor, and because I loved sports. I had originally planned on becoming a broker. I'd been active in the stock market since I was about 15 years old. However, the thought of cold-calling senior citizens with stock tips didn't really appeal to me. A woman I knew was dating a famous DJ in Philadelphia, and introduced us. He told me the secret to getting into radio (really... it's a secret!), and that's how it all started... but not until I received my bachelors degree in Finance. It didn't hurt that he was driving a Benz, and that women were lining up to meet him!
2. What are you passionate about?
I'm very passionate about three things: "Don't mess with my wife, my son, or my country."
3. You're doing a music show and a talk show every day, one of a very few to pull that off. How hard is it to change gears between the two?
My morning show is very pop-culture oriented. One song per hour and lots of guests: Jessica Simpson, Chad Kroeger, Kate Hudson, etc. Lots of schtick! The talk show contains topics that I couldn't get to on the AM show, or that weren't right for the audience: crime, immigration, Hurricane Katrina, etc. I get an hour between shows so I can focus on the talk-show topic. It's a real blast!!!! One morning I was chatting with Amanda Bynes on Mix 96.5 about her new movie, while US Senator John Cornyn was waiting for me down the hall to talk on KTRH.
4. If you hadn't gone into radio, what would you be doing today?
If I hadn't gone into radio I most likely would have been active as a trader in the financial markets.
5. You had to sit out a six month non-compete last year before joining Clear Channel- what was sitting on the sidelines like, and what did you do to pass the time? How difficult was it to get back into the daily show habit after that long a layoff?
As soon as I resigned from KRBE, the general manager of our NBC TV station called and offered me a job as a reporter on the morning news. I was on every morning from 5-7 am, sitting at the anchor desk, wearing make-up and covering real "lite" human interest stories. I did it for about 2 months. I was waking up earlier for the TV gig than I was for my morning show. I gave it up, and spent the remaining 4 months being fat and lazy... and spending lots of time with my son. Getting back into the swing of things was easy. I started waking up at 0350 AM again, like I never missed a beat.
6. Who are your influences?
My dad was one tough S.O.B. who was never scared or nervous about anything. My 2 uncles introduced me to the world of business, and my wife taught me about compassion. That's one heck of a trifecta!!
7. Of what are you most proud?
I'm most proud of my marriage to my wife of almost 16 years... and our beautiful 8 year old son.
8. What do you do for fun?
For fun, we travel as a family. My son just took his 70th round trip! We've been to Hawaii, Vegas, LA, Tampa, Vancouver, etc. He knows more about flying than most adults.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.
...my Starbucks decaf.
10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?
The best advice I ever got: "Create your own job opening"
The worst advice: "In radio you have to start in a small market"
-
-