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10 Questions with ... Anthony "Roach" Proffitt
February 11, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- WNFI/Daytona Beach, FL / 1989-1990/. (Intern)
- WPUP/Athens, GA / 1991-1995 (Nights & Pm Drive, MD-PD)
- WKSM/Ft. Walton Beach, FL / 1995-2000 ( MD- Nights )
- WNFZ/Knoxville, TN / 2000-2005 (MD-PD Mid-Days)
- WJBX/ Ft.Myers, FL / 2005-2009 (MD-APD- Mid Days)
- WXNX/Ft. Myers, FL / 2013 - Present (MD-APD- Mid Days)
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
Wow ... now I really feel old ...well, it was back in the early '90s at a station called WNFI (I100)/Daytona Beach, FL. I started as an intern for their morning show and got the bug and knew that is what I wanted to do. I really got interested in radio back in 1985 when I won 100 bucks (which was A LOT for a young kid) from Mason Dixon on Q105/WRBQ in Tampa. I knew the last Christmas song he played and it was "Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer"! Bam ... just like that I won, and it was a great phoner for him as my mom was yelling at me in the background for running into the house with my soccer cleats on and getting mud everywhere. He then heard my Mom yelling and put her on the phone ... she was not thrilled, but again ... a great phoner! I recorded it and went everywhere with me on a cassette with Mason!
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
I always loved radio, for me I grew up on it! I loved the wacky and phone stuff the DJs would do and the music was always something I loved! For me, being able to do both would be a dream. When I got to Athens at the almighty UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA (Gooooo, DAWGS ... SIC EM) I had a shot to do College radio. I asked what the pay was, and they said nothing. I told them I already had experience as I interned and did a weekend shift in Daytona. They said, well, you can't get on the air at college radio until you completed six months of school. That was BS. So I went to the local Top 40 radio station called "The Bulldog 103.7" WPUP and the PD ... Allen Tibbets ... said he'd hire me to run the AM station board on Sundays to get started; he would pay me and then I could maybe move up ... I was sold and knew I could do this.
3) WXNX (93X) flipped to Active Rock last year and now Ft. Myers is one of the few markets with two direct Active Rock competitors. Give us the highlights on your station flip and how your market battle with WRXK is shaping up.
When the guys across the street decided to kill 99X, the ownership group here knew there was going to be a BIG hole for that format in this market. To their credit, they weren't going to wait to see who would fill it. The station across the way even said when this was happening (that doesn't happen much), so as soon as they did the group here went right on the air with 93X, flipping their old station Lite 93.7. As far as the battle, well, we really are different. They have a morning show driven by talk and an afternoon show driven by talk. While they are talking we are rocking. I respect what they have done in the market. I would just say we have different philosophies and are just doing the best we can do to be a great Rock station in SW Florida.
4) You have the dual role as APD/MD and midday host ... how do you balance your time so both roles are effective?
That definitely keeps me busy, but out of trouble! I am excited to be in this building and given these great responsibilities. It's all about balance. Technology has helped make this process so much easier than what it was when I got out of the game over three years ago. Listen ... I hear people complain, but I'm just happy to do what I love, when you do that it's not a job but a blessing.
5) I know you're a passionate music guy ... Can you describe your music decision process? Approximately how important by percentage is gut, research, sales, video play, and chart position when determining the status of a record?
More than anything, it's about understanding what works for your station and your audience. Everything you mentioned above is part of the process. There is not one factor that I lean on more. We work with Alex Demers and his knowledge is also a part of the pie ... he, too, is a tool ( I mean that with love X). I love listening to new music and finding hidden jewels, but also taking chances is not always a smart thing. I like to believe that artist development is still alive, but we as a whole need to do better as a format to help grow these future artists. So send me your music record peeps and I always like to put my ear to it and give feedback ... even though sometimes it's not what you may want to hear.
6) What's your take on current Active Rock music? Is it as good as six months or a year ago, better, or about the same?
Music is cyclical. What was hot years ago or even months ago may not be hot now but could be. The core artists we have out there make up a huge part of what we do. But we can't just rely strictly on them ... even they, too, make turds, and just because it's (insert CORE artist here) we shouldn't have to play them strictly on their name. Make them earn a spot on the team, too. It's important as programmers to avoid one-and-dones. If a band is good and you had a good run with their music ...you should look at all avenues to help them grow. I think rock continues to grow, but we really have to be selective.
7) 93X is a relatively new station but tell us some of the stations most productive promotions or events since you've been rocking Ft. Myers?
We are new and have done some smaller promotions but we just finished our first outdoor show called "RoXstock" and it went awesome. We had In This Moment, Nonpoint, Devour the Day, Young Guns and Butcher Babies. We exceeded the expected turnout by over a thousand people. It really showed that people are growing with us and we can't wait to grow with them here in SWFL! Next week we are doing our "White Trash Wedding," with our morning show host Jeff Zito as the justice of the peace ... and that should be quite interesting. Complete with tattooed wedding bands, PBR, strippers for flower girls and more. That should be fun!
8) How much does 93X use social media like Facebook and Twitter to help enhance the WXNX experience with its listeners?
We use all that ... A LOT! We really gear so much to our Facebook page and it is growing tremendously every day. Also texting is big as well. We get them constantly on our screen in the studio and encourage it through contesting as well.
9) What are your three favorite artists or songs of last year and why?
Well I wasn't here last year ... so I will pass on this one ... LOL!
10) Finally, give us three Rock bands to watch for in 2014 and why?
Pretty Wreckless ... she's hot ... new album ... she's hot ... can sing ... she's hot ... and rocks.
Chevelle ... great band, great music and solid for our format.
Linkin Park ... we really need this to be a good album from these guys ... I am trusting it will be and will come on before the end of the year ... hoping Chester and these guys bring it ... especially after the long await.
(Honorable mention) Foo Fighters ... Does Dave Grohl put out bad stuff? ... NOOOOO! Especially how he is recording this at all various locations!
Bonus Questions
You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have five CDs with you. What are they?
Probably wouldn't have a CD player with me ... probably just a phone ... do I get reception and do I have a charger?
- Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime
- Dave Matthews Band - Under the Table and Dreaming
- 10 Years - The Autumn Effect
- Big Wreck - In Loving Memory Of
- Motley Crue - Shout at the Devil
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