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10 Questions with ... Twitch
June 26, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- 1998- Night show Producer (For about 3 months) WFLZ The Kramer Show
- 1998- Night Show sidekick KDMX, Mix 102.9 Dallas
- 98-2001 Kramer and Twitch, Nights, KEGL, 97.1 The Eagle Dallas (Stop overs at KSJO and syndicated to a few other markets including Cleveland, Rochester, Richmond.
- 2001-2003 Kramer and Twitch show, Middays, WKRK, 97.1 FM Talk Detroit.
- 2003-04 Keith and Tony Morning Show, (Later just The Tony Show) WOCL O Rock 105.9 Orlando
- 2004-Present Morning Host Z Rock 103 Lexington KY. PD twice in that time, including the past year.
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I grew up in Tampa, and it was kind of a golden age of Top 40 in the early and mid 90's. WFLZ, The Power Pig, was HUGE! I would stay up to Listen to Bubba the Love Sponge in my room, and try to call in. MJ and BJ were also there, doing a KILLER morning show. That's also where I first got on the Radio with Kramer, who was doing nights. I was a prank caller to his show, and one night he invites me to come in. He let me answer phones and hang out. We wound up working together for YEARS after that, and he taught me EVERYTHING. It was probably the most significant moment in my career.
That entire station during that time influences me to this day! I grew up thinking everybody around the country had radio this good, but really it was probably the best station in the country at that time. Had it not been for that station, I may have been a DOCTOR... or Homeless, really a toss up.
2) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Hells Yes! I can't imagine doing anything else. I've had the best time doing this for a living. I may have done some things differently, but honestly I LOVE where I am and what I'm doing, so I wouldn't want to change too much.
3) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
That fact that, in the market I'm in, I've done a LIVE morning for going on 9 years, is amazing! We have a relationship with listeners at Z Rock that I haven't got to have anywhere else. Not being in a huge market hasn't stopped us from doing big market promotions and keeping live talent. Cumulus has treated me amazingly and given us the freedom to do great radio.
4) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
I don't think it really does compete. We are a different product, and the numbers show that people haven't stopped listening to local radio. Terrestrial, satellite, and internet radio can all coexist because we give a product that the other mediums can't, live and LOCAL content.
5) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
Keeping it live and local, and keeping the quality of the product up. You win with what's between the songs, and I think that the future talent isn't getting the training or education that we got a few years ago. I don't think that today, I could start off as an intern, and have people help me up. Number one, there are less jobs, and more people are doing multiples. So there are not a lot of people to help train the next generation. Stations are cutting back on the talent, and that makes the listener less passionate about the product. I want listeners to have what I had, when I would stay up late, or sit in the car for just a few more minutes to hear how a bit ended.
6) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
I am a HUGE fan of Adam Carolla. I know he does a podcast, but I think he is doing some really good stuff. Free Beer and Hot Wings and Zane have a great show, and they are nice guys too. They have formed a great template for syndication. I also really like Kevin, Virginia, and Jason out of West Palm.
7) What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?
Musically, WAMX, Huntington WV is just a great station. Whenever I am in the area I HAVE to listen.
8) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?
Talk... Not political AM talk, but FM talk with PERSONALITY! There is not enough of those!
9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Just to have fun. I have seen WAY too many people who over think it. (over thinking has NEVER been a problem for me!)
10) Please describe the best or worst promotion you've ever been part of?
Buy a new car, get some BAND AIDS! Really, we had to tie in Band Aids with a car lot remote... The sales person wanted us to throw in a few boxes of band aids if someone bought a NEW CAR! Because when you go car shopping, the biggest deal breaker is whether or not any first aid products are thrown in to sweeten the deal! It went horribly. But you could have guessed that!
There was also the time in Detroit, that we put on an oatmeal wrestling event. We brought in a bunch of "Dancers" to do the wrestling, but the people who made the oatmeal at the club decided to make it with milk, and put it in large plastic tubs, and seal it up OUTSIDE the day before. When we opened it up to pour on the girls, it had gone RANCID! Dear God, it was bad! People were nauseous. It was NOT a good time!
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