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10 Questions with ... Mo' Bounce
August 14, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started my career at WFLZ/Tampa back in 1998 as an intern, then eventually weekends. I've been doing nights for 11 years now! Stops include WIOQ/Philly, KKHH/Houston, KXXM/San Antonio, KCHZ/Kansas City, WHTF/Tallahassee, WYKS/Gainesville and WYOK/Mobile.
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
FUN! Listen, it's always been fun every day having this profession, but as an intern-turned-part-timer at WFLZ in Tampa at the tender age of 17-21 ... those were the days! I interned in the promotions department during the day and at night I helped out in studio with Kane (nights) and then with Spyder Harrison (late-nights). It was a complete frat party every night! Then eventually Dom Theodore gave me my own weekend overnight show and was told to entertain the drunks leaving the clubs. Instead they entertained me!
2) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?
It's crazy, really! Z100's brand is as recognizable as Coke or Pepsi in the tri-state area in my opinion. It's amazing to be a part of an entity so huge and powerful. It's incredible how focused Z100 is. And as much as people say, "Personality is gone from radio," that's the furthest thing from the truth at Z100 ... our personality and personalities are pouring out! We do appearances and people ACTUALLY come to meet us and get excited to chat with us. Talking to people on social networking, through text and on the phones ... people are genuinely excited! It feels great to see such passion for a radio station.
3) What are you doing social media-wise?
Everything! Ha! I'm heavy with 'em all! YouTube, FaceBook, Twitter, Social Cam, Instagram ... all of it! It's not a bonus in our industry anymore ... you HAVE to do it. Our shows are simply not enough to engage our audience anymore. If social networking is not a part of your waking hours every hour, then you are doing it wrong. Supply and demand. @RadioMoBounce on twitter btw ... selfless plug ;) haha!
4) "Local local local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
On the same mantra shelf for radio, it should be "entertaining, entertaining, entertaining!" In the end, people want entertainment! If you can incorporate local aspects with true entertainment, then you've got it! Z100 does that in every community event, appearance and promotion! Being in NYC we get to tap into so many events, so it's easier to be local here I think.
5) What is your favorite part of the job?
Engaging with listeners. As I said above with social networking, it allows us to have more of a personal connection with our listeners. It's definitely opened up not only their access with us, but us with them to see what they really enjoy and love about what we offer.
6) Could you give us a little insight into your on-air staff?
The best! I mean this! Elvis Duran and the Z100 Morning Show never disappoints! I am so humbled being able to see Elvis and the crew walk the same hallways and share the same excitement day after day! Elvis is THE nicest man. Ryan Seacrest in middays brings star power to our brand. JJ Kincaid does afternoons and I still totally look up to the dude! What a talent! His ability to inject so much wit and fun with brevity is an awesome thing to encounter! Most of all, JJ has become one of my best friends. (cue the awwwws). I do nights; Trey handles late-nights and Shelley Wade in overnights. It's a big family here! No matter how corporate this business can become, Z100 still has a real family feel in the halls! I love it!
7) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
Kane from Hot 99-5 DC! From working with him back at 'FLZ many years ago, until today, the man KNOWS how to reinvent and stay on top of his game. Love the guy! I still get to mess with him since I voicetrack weekends at Hot 99-5 in D.C. He can't get rid of me!
8) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
This is special to me since Z100 was the station I grew up with growing up in Brooklyn, NY. It just took me 11 years and a zillion radio stops along the way to make it here! Ha!
9) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
I'm into cars! I have an unhealthy obsession with modding whatever car I have at the time. I really gotta get a more inexpensive hobby ... like reading books. But I also have a voiceover business based out of my home that takes most of my home time up! I'm the national voice for the Elvis Duran Morning Show and a slew of other stations across the country and in Kuwait. I have headphone imprints in my hair 24/7 pretty much ... ha ha.
10) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
The fact that radio FORCES us to reinvent. No one can say it gets boring ... if it does, then your not doing it right.
Bonus Questions
What's the biggest gaffe you've made on-air?
Ha ... pick a show! But the best one is when I wasn't on the air, rather introducing Good Charlotte to a packed amphitheater years ago. Only, introducing them as the All American Rejects and not noticing until I got off stage. WTF was I thinking? The band laughed and handled it well. The record rep? Not so much. Ha ha!
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