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10 Questions with ... Mark "Shark" Ediss
September 22, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- WBSS/Vineland-Atlantic City, NJ
- KQID/Alexandria, LA
- WSSX/Charleston, SC
- KWIN/Stockton, CA
- KOSO/Modesto, CA
- WTCF/Saginaw, MI (for a week ... SORRY, Rich Stevens)
- Mediabase
- WAYV/Atlantic City, NJ
- WSTW/Wilmington, DE
- WRDW/Philadelphia, PA
- WMYX/Milwaukee, WI
- WXYY/Savannah, GA
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
My first gig was one I'll never forget. Hired right out of high school -- had just turned 18. I was hired to do nights, but ended up as morning show co-host AND NIGHTS. Yes, you read that right (REALLY MISS those 4a-midnight days, with MAYBE a three-to-four-hour nap in the station basement :))
2) What led you to a career in radio?
THE SINGLE REASON I am in this business is BOSS 97/Vineland, NJ, my hometown radio station. I started "working" there at age 12. Made lifelong friends who are also mentors: Bob Burke, Doug Parks, Nicky G, Gary "Hollywood" Kehn, Christina Joyce, Mixin' Mike, Fox Feltman, Walt Cannon, Jay Towers ... sorry if I missed anyone! So many amazing memories for me.
3) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?
In this day and age of radio, EVERYONE is ... myself included. I LOVE IT! Each day offers an opportunity to work on something that I might not have before and I LOVE that challenge! At this point in my career, I enjoy being called upon to help with many tasks ... because as long as I've been in the business, there are still things that I LEARN EVERYDAY!
4) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
I'll take this question as an opportunity to name-drop LOL. Hands down, first name I have to mention is Chunky at 98.7 The Bull/Portland, fellow Alpha brother! I was fortunate enough to work with and learn from him while at Wired 96.5/Philly ... dude is THE HARDEST WORKING GUY in radio and it's not close. I want to be like him when I grow up. He's now also half the man he used to be and I would also like to be that. FAT. GUY. PROBLEMS.
Other jocks who I enjoy: Tingle & JP at Star in Atlanta, Joe Alan at WSTW and Brian Kelly, who was my OM at Entercom/Milwaukee. One of the smartest, most-respected programmers in the business and trust me when I say, he STILL has CHOPS! Truly a pleasure to have worked with/for him while in the land of Packers and cheese ... and beer!
5) Who would be a "dream guest" to have on your show?
I have a VERY UNHEALTHY (at least from what I've been told) obsession with Justin Timberlake. If someone could arrange an M&G with JT for me, I'd super-appreciate it.
K-THANKS-BYE. (PLEASE MAKE IT HAPPEN, Rob Walker)
6) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
Sorry I keep cheating, but there's 3three: BOSS 97/Vineland, NJ, EAGLE 106/Philly and Q102/Philly!
7) Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
There have been so many people who've made me better at my craft and helped guide me along the way.
Calvin Hicks was my PD in Charleston at 95SX and I don't know that I'd have made it without his advice/guidance etc.
John Christian is like a father to me (scary, huh!!!!!) and Louie Cruz is the brother I never had.
Mike Rossi at WSTW/Wilmington picked me up off the scrap heap and gave me new life in this amazing industry ... can't say thank you enough to him for that!
Dan Hunt and Buster Satterfield -- made my Philly radio dream come true and I'm forever grateful to them for that. Sorry for the 75-plus e-mails to you both over a two- month period. Kids, persistence pays off!
Jeff Cochran in Salt Lake City -- one of the great guys in the business! The time that I've been able to spend talking with him has really made an impact and I'm glad to call him a friend!
FINALLY, Phil Becker and Rob Walker ... THANK YOU BOTH for this unbelievable opportunity to do fun, entertaining and impactful radio here in Savannah!
8) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
KARAOKE! I'm a ballad guy most of the time, but my best song is "Wanted Dead Or Alive" by Bon Jovi. I also umpire little league/travel baseball games!
9) What advice you would give people new to the business?
Learn and DO everything you can ... and then ask to do more. Lather-rinse-repeat! This is one of the industries where you can make a REAL impact with people ... THAT is why I LOVE it so much! Don't do it for the free food and stuff ... do it TO MAKE AN IMPACT in someone's life!
10) What is the current state of the radio talent pool?
To me, there's a great mix of young AND veteran air-talent out there. Zach Sang & The Gang, Adam Bomb, Corey B in New Orleans is one of my faves -- not only great on the air, but his social media game is A+++, Double J in Albuquerque, Zann in Dallas, Ric Hogerheide -- morning co-host at U93/South Bend and on his way to making some noise in the business -- and I'm lucky to work with two amazingly talented people right here in Savannah at Y100 ... TC in the morning and Mia who is the BEST MIDDAY JOCK IN THE BUSINESS ... BELIEVE THAT!
Bonus Questions
Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?
I did mention that I LOVE JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE!!!!! ... RIGHT? CAN YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN?????
PLEASE? OKAY. THANKS. BYE.
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