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10 Questions with ... Will Calder
June 25, 2019
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- WKIE-WKIF-WEDK/Chicago, Energy 92.7/5: Intern/Promotions/Production/Imaging (2001-2003)
- WXSS-WMYX/Milwaukee, 103.7 Kiss FM: On-Air/Production Coordinator/Mixshow Coordinator (2002-2009)
- WXRK/NYC / 92.3 Now: On-Air/Production Dir./Asst. MD (2010-2012)
- WPOW/Miami: APD/Middays/Imaging Dir. (2012-2018)
- WPYO/Orlando, Power 95.3: Dir./Branding & Programming/middays (2018-present)
Other Related Stuff:
- JamTraxx Media Mixshow PD/producer (2003-2013)
- Mixshow and Club DJ (2003-present)
- iPartyRadio Internet (2005-2010)
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
In the beginning, I was an intern for Jeffry T. Mason during his morning show on the old Energy 92.7/5 at Big City Radio in Chicago, and it was surreal. Being as it was a Dance radio station, we had access to pretty much all to the major nightspots in Chicago and I immersed myself very quickly, perhaps too quickly. Life really was a party for those two years. Big shout-out to Chris Shebel for throwing me into the fire with both production and my first on-air shift. Also, the world was trying to tell me something as it was my first experience with mergers and acquisitions, as we all got fired when a Spanish broadcaster acquired the frequency in early 2003. I've been through a few of those at this point. Ha!
2) What led you to a career in radio?
Looking back on what created my love for radio: 1) being glued to my little Walkman as a kid and teen, listening to the best of Chicago and Milwaukee radio - -then found B96/Chicago and REALLY fell in love. 2) I was a class clown with a deep voice when I was a teen, so everyone always said to me "You should be on the radio, kid. But that's later, for now sit down and shut up." 3) Unsure what to do after high school, my mom knowing that I had this love for radio, enrolled me into a Radio Broadcasting course at our local technical college. On day one, I met a second-year student who already had an internship with Jeffry T Mason at WKIE; she helped me make a connection and the rest is history.
3) You're coming up on your one-year anniversary at the station and in the market. What do you know now that you wish you'd known walking in the door?
Orlando was never really a city that I had much interest in before the opportunity presented itself to live here. All I knew was that "Theme Park" and "UCF" life and I've been really impressed by the culture and experiences this city has to offer. All of this is easily overshadowed by Mickey Mouse and Harry Potter. On a professional level, they say the Cox Media Group culture is special, but you have no idea how magical and inspiring it is until you are in it. People come first, and it's one of the most positive and nurturing environments that I have ever worked in.
4) In addition to programming the station, you also hold down middays. Is the studio a safe haven for you?
While I don't often get to be live on middays due to my daily duties, I do try and make time to deliver a fun, local and relatable midday show when I am voicetracking. However, I do look forward to locking myself into that studio "safe haven" as I get to fill in afternoons when Danie B goes on vacation. When I do get the opportunity to be live, I try to put everything else on hold and just focus on flying the ship. It's fun and rewarding when you truly are able to connect with your listeners.
5) How does The Wake Up Show set the tone for the rest of Power's broadcast day?
We don't take ourselves too seriously and just try to have fun. Estee & Nailz from The Wake Up Show are friends and very active in our community, they're known and approachable. They're just like your friends, shooting the shit at the coffee shop or breakfast bar. They're talking about what you're talking about and trying to give you a good laugh in the morning before you need to get serious at work. That same vibe continues throughout the day into the afternoon as besties Danie B and Kevin Kon take you home in the afternoon and evenings.
6) How big a role does social media play for your station?
Social media is a huge part of our strategy as it helps "break the fourth wall" and create a more organic connection with our team. We're big on "A Day In The Life" as we bring the station social media into our homes and private lives so our fans can see how we live our lives outside of the radio station, just like they do with us. We're always on!
7) Local, local, local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
Yes, it's fun to play all the biggest hits from the biggest artists, but it's these community moments that really make the difference. Our team at CMG/Orlando is very active in the community. You will always find our team out on the streets supporting various causes from "Apple A Day" a program that brings iPads to Orlando children battling cancer, to standing as one with our community as we remembers the 49 beautiful people lost at Pulse Nightclub three years ago. We're right there with the community sharing the feels and helping them to broadcast their causes on our air and on our social media.
8) Which artist would you most like to have sitting across from you at the guest mic and why?
While Rob Morris has shared many stories with me of what it's like to spend time with Prince, I would probably be most fascinated to spend five minutes with Prince. The guy was a musical genius and I am most intrigued by the creative process. I love knowing how things work; I would ask him all of the questions about how he created his magic. On a more contemporary note, I actually enjoyed my time when I first interviewed Nick Jonas, the conversation ended up rather organic as he actually asked me questions about how I felt about some of the topics we were discussing, and that made for a memorable experience.
9) What was your favorite radio station to listen to growing up? Favorite jock?
B96/Chicago, without question. That's the reason I really wanted to get into this business. It's the reason I'm a mixshow DJ and club DJ. I felt like something was missing in my life if I missed Eddie & Jobo and George McFly's shows back in the day. I filled up hundreds and hundreds of cassette tapes of B96 in the '90s (hmm ... maybe coming to a YouTube channel near you soon?). Shout-out, Todd Cavanah and Erik Bradley for letting me mix the old Lunch Party and Traffic Jam mixshows for a few years. That was like a dream come true as those mixes inspired me to be a DJ.
10) Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
Looking back, I have to give all the love in the world to Dom Theodore and Rob Wagman, the first two programmers who really challenged me to get to the next level. I vividly remember interviewing with Dom and Rob for the gig at WXRK as I was passionately speaking about my old Internet station iPartyRadio that I ran from 2005-2010. He interrupted me and said, "What are we doing here, he's the guy, just hire him." Also gotta show love to Pio Ferro who, when I first got to Miami, reset my brain on how to look at Latin culture as it pertains to radio. It definitely would be instrumental during my time at WPOW and now WPYO.
Bonus Questions
Other than the obvious, where would you take someone who was visiting Orlando for the first time?
If Disney and Universal are all you think of when you think Orlando, you ain't seen nothing! The downtown party scene is so intense and there's something for everyone. One of my favorite spots downtown is AREO, a rooftop bar that specializes in EDM and house music. Great vibe, great drinks, great people. If culture, art and dining is more your thing, you need to spend some time in Winter Park. When you visit, take a break from the theme parks and call me, I'll show you around.
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