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10 Questions with ... Blando
May 22, 2012
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1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
I actually tripped and fell into radio. I was in my third year as a Biology major and was debating finding a new major/direction when a friend, who was a Communication major, told me about WZMB (ECU's college station). I did a semester on mornings and that was all it took to hook me.
2) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
A small part of me says no, but I probably wouldn't change a thing. I hear stories all the time about "the glory days of radio," but I've always been a HUGE music fanatic, and the idea of having a career where I get to surround myself with music and other people who are as music-minded as I am is a dream come true.
3) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
Cashier at Sam's Club?
Ha ha. That was my last non-radio job. Honestly, I don't know. I could try to finish my Biology degree and try to find something in the medical world (I was originally planning on med school).
4) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
Us ... the personalities. I know some satellite and Internet stations have them, but they can't be local worldwide. We can step out the door and interact with our listeners face to face. We wake up and go to bed in the same area code as our listeners and (especially someone like me who grew up here) are a part of the local community. Worldwide radio formats will never have that.
5) What is the biggest change that you'd like to see happen in the business?
Less doing things "the way they've always been done." The world is changing at a blinding pace and the music business has been very slow to keep up. Part of that is how strongly the industry has tried to stick to its guns and continue doing things the same way rather than adapting to the world around us.
6) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?
Instinct makes me want to say Carolina Rebellion just by the sheer number of amazing bands, but I think I have to give the nod to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I saw them in Raleigh back in April and was floored. It was my first time seeing them and knowing they've been around for three decades I went in expecting a decent show but was blown away. The fact that they still bring that much energy, passion and fun to the stage after so many years was a reminder why RHCP are living legends.
7) Tell us what music we would find on your car or home CD player (or turntable) right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?
Foxy Shazam was the last thing in my CD player. I've been hooked on this band since day one. "I Like It" was very tongue-in-cheek but also very mind-blowingly different from anything else I'd heard, and the album has such a great flow and vibe I can't stop listening to it.
8) What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you at a remote?
It wasn't a remote but a show we were hosting. Paper Tongues lead singer (Aswan North) grew up in our market, so we had the guys come to perform at a smaller venue for our listeners. When it came time to introduce the band I ran up and tried to hop on stage and busted my ass in front of the whole room. It got a good laugh, though!
9) What approach do you take after a soft book?
None. Numbers are so flighty that most times we wait to see the trend over two or three books before doing anything drastic. We may tweak a clock here or trim up or fill out a category there, but one "not good" book isn't going to shake the foundation.
10) Over the years, we've had the "British Invasion," "Disco," "New Wave," "Rap & Hip Hop," "Boy Bands," and many other genres and sub-genres of music take off. What do you think is the next emerging music trend?
Dubstep has been a big deal lately and I've really liked how some of the harder rockers have tied it in (like Korn's new album), so I'd like to see that continue to grow and develop into its own style like nu-metal did in the '90s.
Bonus Questions
What are your three favorite artists or songs of this year?
Fozy Shazam - I Like It, lostprophets - Bring Em Down, Weaving The Fate - Str8 To The Bottom
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