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10 Questions with ... Matt Patrick
September 7, 2010
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I was the morning show personality on Clear Channel's 98.1 WKDD in Akron/Canton for 30 years. We set the the new standard as to how morning radio should be done in Northeast Ohio! In 2008, I also began doing a talk show on our sister station 640 WHLO. I was doing 2 shows a day and loving it! My contract with both of the Akron/Canton stations ran out at the end of 2009, and for reasons known only to those in that building, we parted ways. As it turned out, it was certainly the best thing for my talk radio career. I have no hard feelings at all.
1. A few years back, you started doing a talk show at WHLO while still in your longtime music morning show slot at WKDD. Why did you make the move to talk radio? What appealed to you about doing talk radio that was different from what you were doing for 30 years on Top 40 radio?
I think that management at that time realized that I had an opinion on things other than what was on "American Idol" last night, or what Lady Gaga did at the Grammys. My audience had grown up with me after 30 years on the air, and we had families and jobs. So I began to talk about things that I felt were important. I also loved being able to incorporate "entertainment" into real issues.
As talk radio exploded around us, I was asked if I would like to do a talk show on 640 WHLO down the hallway and "air out" those issues in that format. I couldn't say "yes" fast enough! I actually have a studio in my home, complete with ISDN lines, and everything I need to be anywhere fast! I did the show for a while from home. I have recently updated the studio, and can be lots of places, as you see! Talk radio IS the new adult format. If done right, you will own the 25-54 adults. This is the best of all my years in "personality" radio.
2. What would you say makes you different from other talkers out there -- what perspective do you bring to the job?
Great question! I bring ENTERTAINMENT to the talk format! I am funny, as well as informative. I am NOT trying to change the world... just giving you my take on it. I am a voracious consumer of news, and information. I give you my perspective. I don't plead with you to think like me. If you do, great. if you don't, that's fine too! Just be entertained, that's all I ask!
I am a "personality" that always comes through. I want you to laugh, cry, get pissed, cheer... feel something! That is why so many talk show hosts fail: They are friggin' BORING!! It can't be ALL politics all the time. Certainly that is a big part, but there is SO much more out there. I find it!
3. You've been doing weekends on WTAM and fill-ins on WLW this year, and those are major heritage talk stations with loyal audiences. That can obviously be intimidating, because you're stepping into a situation in which people have definite expectations for what they expect from the station. How was it for you to go on those stations? How did you approach the task, and was there an adjustment period necessary for, say, WTAM, or did you feel immediately at home?
Intimidating doesn't even begin to cover it. I was scared out of my mind! I didn't sleep the night before I went on WTAM for the first time. My first time on WLW, I was barfing into the bathroom waste basket before the show!
The great thing about working at stations like WTAM and WLW is the people. Ray Davis in Cleveland at WTAM, and Darryl Parks in Cincinnati at WLW, have been 2 of the greatest mentors I could ask for at this stage of my career. Jon Zimney in South Bend has also been a tremendous influence and supporter for what I do.
I approach these shows the same way I approach any show: prep, prep, prep. Be ready to go on the air and do what you do well. For me, that is just doing the successful talk radio I have been doing, really, for over 30 years! Yes, there was an adjustment period, and there will be at any station. I listened to WTAM my whole life, and knew most of the people on the air. I respected the hell out of them, and found out... they had the same respect for me! It was the same at WLW.
4. What makes you laugh?
Sophomoric humor. Farts, burps, dirty jokes. I'm just like any other guy. If we lose this most essential part of who we are -- trying to be something we are not -- we fail. My 5 year old son makes me laugh ALL the time. I just explained why!
5. Who are your mentors, influences, and heroes?
In my life, I have been lucky to have a lot of incredible people around me. My mentors are people I can learn from: Ray Davis at WTAM in Cleveland, Darryl Parks at WLW in Cincinnati, and now Jon Zimney at 95.3 MNC in South Bend. I am a sponge. I have had great GM's from whom I have learned over my career. Some of my greatest influences in radio have been talk show hosts who just seem to "get it." There are guys like Mike Trivisonno in Cleveland, Bill Cunningham in Cincinnati, Glenn Beck and Rush in syndication. I think Howard Stern is amazing at what he does. I try to steal a little from everyone I listen too. I would be flattered if they stole from me as well!
My heroes are my family, my wife first and foremost. Paula is the rock on which my career is built. She is incredible. More heroes: my children. The men and women who serve this country as soldiers. Police officers. Fire fighters. Those that treat sick kids. These are the true heroes of our time. I can't carry their water.
6. What's your process -- how do you prepare for each show? What resources do you use? And how have you been preparing for talking to a new audience in a new market -- how are you approaching acclimating yourself to the South Bend audience?
I prepare for each show the same way: I pay attention. I am a voracious consumer of news. I am also a voracious consumer of the human condition. I am plugged into the usual outlets for news: Drudge, Fox, local news outlets, newspaper. I have at least 70 web sites I visit on a daily basis. The best source for interesting topics is the street: watch what is going on in your community. TALK to people. Get out of the station and the house and TALK to people. LISTEN to them. Become involved with your community. You will be amazed at the things you can not find ANYWHERE else but on the "street."
I have been spending lots of time in South Bend doing what I just described. The people of Michiana have the same issues as anyone else in the Midwest. I have spent a great deal of time TALKING to people and getting a feel as to what is driving them every day. I'll tell you, this this area is incredible. It is exploding with growth! We are just an hour away from Chicago... so many people are from Chicago. You can hear us in Chicago! You remember who else is from Chicago, right?? YES!! Our President! So this is a market that LOVES Chicago politics. They are also some of the nicest people I have ever encountered.
7. About what are you most passionate these days?
I am passionate about the birth of the talk format on FM! It reminds me of FM radio in the early 70's! You just know this format is going to be HUGE!! I am on the ground floor of something incredible! It is very exciting!! We take the best of my personality shows and combine it with the information contained in talk radio... and, man... IT ROCKS!!
8. Of what are you most proud?
I am most proud of the over 7 million dollars I helped raise for Akron Children's Hospital over the 10 years we did Radiothons in Akron, Ohio. It was the most moving and spiritual gift I have ever received. The gift of giving back to children and their families at their most vulnerable... I will never stop being grateful for that experience.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _______________.
...Coffee/Diet Mountain Dew.
10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?
The best advice, from my wife: "You are the best at what you do... now go do that... and we will both succeed!" She was right!
The worst: "You'll never (fill in the blank)." Bulls--t! I not only can... I will!!
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