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10 Questions with ... Mistress Carrie
November 12, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WAAF intern 1991-1994. WAAF Street Team in 1994-1998. WAAF night jock 1998-2001, WAAF middays 2001-2005, WAAF MD 2004-present. WAAF afternoon drive host, 2005-present. My resume is very short ...WAAF, that's it.
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
WAAF was my first job. As an intern, I fetched coffee, made copies, filed the mail and dubbed cassettes. I did whatever they needed. I was lucky enough to learn under people like Mark Razz, Opie & Anthony, John Osterlind and Greg Hill ... people who have had long and successful careers and who were willing to teach me and give me great advice. I paid attention.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
I had been around WAAF for almost eight years, both as an intern and as a Street Teamer. I applied for every job, and I applied to be O&A's producer, so I made a demo. I didn't get the job, but then PD Dave Douglas asked me if I ever thought about being a jock? I said no, and walked out of the room. When I told Opie the story, he called me an idiot, told me that I was stupid, and said that I was just "offered a job by one of the most influential Rock stations in the country, in one of the biggest markets, and that I should turn around, go back to Dave's office, apologize for being an idiot and say YES!" I told you they were there for great advice, and that I listened. Soon after O&A got fired and I was the night jock at WAAF. Both of our careers are doing just fine.
Had I not taken Opie's advice that day, who knows where I would be.
3) How long have you been at WAAF and what makes this station so unique?
I've been here for over 22 years and two things make it special, the city and the people that work here. Boston is unlike any other city, and the staff members of WAAF are a product of that city. We are so interconnected with the area and the audience. It's a very special relationship, and I am very lucky to be a part of such a great team, in such an amazing city.
4) You have the dual role as MD and afternoon-show host ... how do you balance your time so both roles are effective?
I work a lot. It's the only way to do it all. But I love the work both in and out of the studio. It's never boring, and it constantly keeps me guessing. I'm not sure how I did it without an iPhone though.
5) In your role as afternoon host, I'm sure you've interviewed plenty of rock stars. What are some of your favorite interviews and why?
I got a harmonica lesson from Steven Tyler, a guitar lesson from Joe Satriani, and sang "Walk" onstage with Dimebag Darrell. That's what comes to mind. They were all very surreal experiences. Talking to Jimmy Page was amazing for a Zeppelin fan like me, and trying to talk to all nine members of Slipknot, in masks, with one microphone was interesting to say the least.
6) Boston is such a unique music market because of the major college influence in the area. How does this influence the type of Rock WAAF plays?
Boston gets 750,000 college kids that move into town every September, and they leave every June. It's always been a great Rock town, but it definitely has an Alt tilt. We try to play the best Rock has to offer, no matter what label is has. Active, Mainstream, Alternative ..., it really doesn't matter what you call it ... our audience, like most Rock fans, has very eclectic tastes. If it's good, they want us to play it. They don't care what you call it.
7) What's your take on current Rock music? Is it as good as six months or a year ago, better, or about the same?
Rock is not dead, has never been dead, and will never die, as long as there are artists willing to try new things, take chances, and speak the truth.
8) What are your three favorite artists or songs of this year and why?
I love Devour The Day "Good Man;" it's raw and exposed.
Imagine Dragons "Radioactive" was a song that surprised a lot of people when we started playing it, but it just fits, and the audience loves it.
Because I'm a huge fan, I was psyched that NIN was back with new music. I love the album, and the live show is unlike anything I have ever seen. I'm so glad they are back!
9) WAAF is very active promotionally. What's one of the best promotions the station has done during the past year?
This was a very tough year in our market. The promotions that meant the most, and struck the biggest chord with the audience, were charity based and centered around the Boston Marathon. To see firsthand, how the money raised has helped victims of the bombings, and to hear them talk about what it meant to them, in their darkest hour, is why we do what we do.
10) I know you were out at this year's Boston Marathon and even shot some photos of Soldier's Marching for Wounded Warriors. Tell us how that day affected you and why you truly believe in Boston Strong?
I was broadcasting from the finish line area all morning, and left to return to the WAAF studios less than an hour before the attacks. We had 40+ staffers in the area all morning, and even had some running the marathon. It took an hour to account for everyone, and we were very lucky that no one was injured or killed.
I know that people outside of Boston associate Boston Strong with a rallying cry for our sports teams now, but it really is a testament to the resilience of the city and its people. The day of the bombing wasn't just "Marathon Monday;" it was Patriots Day, a state holiday, commemorating the battles of Lexington and Concord during the Revolution. We are proud of our history here, and to do something so evil, on a day that means so much ... tt had the opposite effect that the bombers wanted.
That day made me proud to say that I'm from Boston. The city banded together, and Big Papi said it best "This is our F*cking City." Our sports teams have all been so amazing, taking private time, without the cameras watching, to really get to know the victims and their families. They have taken that inspiration and run with it this year. On Sat. Nov 2nd during the Red Sox victory parade, I stood on Boylston Street just six months after the bombing, and watched as the Duck Boats stopped, the players placed the World Series trophy on the finish line, and cried while the crowd sang "God Bless America." That is Boston, and that is why I love it here. That's what Boston Strong means.
Bonus Questions
What is your favorite TV show or Movie of the past year?
I'm a huge fan of NCIS, always have been. And I love The Walking Dead!
You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have 5 CDs with you. What are they?
All things Beatles, I guess, but I'd rather have my iPhone, it has 10,000 songs on it. I'm just not sure how I would charge it.
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