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10 Questions with ... Dave Hoeffel
June 4, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- WOND-WMGM/Atlantic City, on-air, '77-79
- WPST/Trenton-Philadelphia, on-air, '78-'82
- WCKO/Ft. Lauderdale, on-air, Production Dir., OM, '82-'83
- WEZI/Miami, on-air, Production Dir., Programming Assistant '83-'85
- WKXW/Trenton, NJ, on-air, '85-'86
- WIOQ/Philadelphia, on-air, Production Assistant, '85-'86
- WPST/Trenton-Philadelphia (again), on-air, Production Dir., APD, PD, OM, '86-'92
- FMQB/Cherry Hill, NJ, Managing Dir., VP/Exec. Dir., '92-'04
- WLCE/Philadelphia, on-air, '00-'02
- Sirius/SiriusXM Radio, on-air, '04-present
- All Access Music Group, East Coast Rep, '04-present
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
Initially, drudgery. I worked the Saturday overnight "graveyard" shift running tapes that had been produced by students at a broadcasting school in Brooklyn. They were horrible. One night, there weren't enough tapes to fill the shift, and I couldn't reach the PD, so I went on the air, doing my best to execute the station's Top 40 format. The PD happened to hear me, and I had daytime shifts from that point on ... thank God.
2) What led you to a career in radio?
Growing up in Philadelphia, I fell in love with "Wibbage," WIBG Radio 99. John Records Landecker was a big influence. He did nights on WIBG before heading to WLS. It's cool that I've had the opportunity to re-live that kind of radio on SiriusXM, having hosted on the 70s on 7, and currently on the 50s on 5.
3) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?
Not really. Writing, selling, and spreading the love about great new music are three things that I've been doing, in one way or another, for most of my life.
4) What are you doing social media-wise?
Nuking people from my news feed. If you are extreme politically (on either side), post more than six times a day, or have a propensity to regularly share pictures of your lunch ... sorry, you're gone.
5) What's the coolest promotion you've EVER been involved with?
At WCKO in the '80s, we teamed up with a couple of advertisers and had 50,000 K102 "Police Badges" made up, then stationed interns at every entrance to the Orange Bowl to hand them out to people arriving for the Police concert. We also had K102 aprons made up for all of the concession stand employees, prominently featuring our shiny new logo and "Rock of the 80s" positioner. People called the station for MONTHS after that concert thanking us for bringing the Police to South Florida, when in actuality, we had nothing to do with it. Big ups to Promotion Dir. Brian Illes, who went on to be a great Rock PD, for the idea and the legwork.
6) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?
Breaks Co-Op, Puscifer, Pat Metheny, and the Burning Sensations have drawn "What IS this?" comments when I've docked my iPod at parties. And I currently have five full length "Bruce Brunch" shows, hosted by my friend Tom Cunningham, and recorded from Classic Rock WCHR (105.7 The Hawk)/Monmouth-Ocean, NJ, on my iPod. If you love Springsteen, this show is a must-listen, Sunday mornings at 9am ET. www.1057thehawk.com, or use the Radio Pup app.
7) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
DJing (I own an agency that represents outstanding, unique wedding DJs who specialize in unique locations), high-end audio (I'm a "budget" audiophile, with gear by Outlaw and Cambridge), and Craft Beer (India Pale Ale by Dogfish Head, Firestone-Walker, Southern Tier, Troegs, Stone, Langanitas and Victory). Oh ... and I'm into walking/jogging three miles four times a week, in case my doctor reads this :)
8) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
The sheer passion that people in this business possess, and which I share. Read the "10 Questions On The Beach" interviews here on All Access. You'll see folks who have been chewed up and spit out by this business, yet they remain intensely committed. They're doing breaks while driving their cars, seeking to improve upon the break that they just heard. And they're still doing prep every day, so they'll be ready when they get the call to crack the mic again, at a moment's notice. You don't see this in other lines of work.
9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
What goes around comes around. Be nice to people. Treat them fairly. It's amazing how many people in this business are completely unaware of the Karma Train pulling into the station ... until it runs them over.
10) What would you like to do to save radio from its "dying-industry" image?
Take a look at what Non-Com Triple A WXPN/Philadelphia has done. It's not just a station; it's a lifestyle, a destination, a restaurant and music venue. It has a soul. They've created something very special and unique, both on the air and in their building. They're the flagship station for the nationally-syndicated "World Café." Their station show lasts THREE days. They even host their own industry convention. No matter what your format, there are lessons to be learned here, and emulated.
Bonus Questions
For someone vacationing in your market, what one thing would you say they "must see"?
The Jersey Shore is open for business. It's a wonderful place. There's a town to fit every taste and mood. Come on down! I'll see you in Cape May, or at "Yappy Hour" at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. Bring your dog.
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