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10 Questions with ... Rashaud Thomas
February 11, 2020
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started in college radio at WJPZ at Syracuse University which led to an internship at SiriusXM the summer of 2011. When I graduated in 2013, I briefly worked as a board op/associate producer for the Blaze Radio Network. In October of that year, I signed on for nights at WPST/Trenton. 2 years later I ended up at WBBO/Monmouth-Ocean as the MD/ midday host. That led to becoming PD/MD for sister station Fun 1071 until it flipped to Classic Rock in March of 2016. Now, I’m APD/MD/afternoons at WBBO.
1. How would you describe your first radio job?
My first paying radio job was as a board op/associate producer for the Blaze Radio Network. I was 3 months out of college and was just happy to be back in a radio studio. My first on-air gig came a few months later at WPST/Trenton-Philadelphia.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
I got so much joy and entertainment from radio when I was growing up that I couldn’t picture doing anything else. That led to doing the morning announcements in high school, college radio and now a full-fledged career doing what I love.
3. Are you wearing more “hats” than you have in the past?
Who isn’t?! While it’s become almost a necessity to juggle several responsibilities, it does point to a troubling future for our industry.
4. How does your morning show, Mateo & Lenny, set the table for the rest of the station’s broadcast day?
They start things off with high energy and enthusiasm that carries through the rest of the day.
5. How does social media augment what comes out of the speakers?
Social media is great for show prep! At the drop of the dime, something can start to trend on Twitter or I’ll see something funny on Instagram that I want to share with the audience. I also scroll through and see what our listeners are liking, retweeting and interacting with because it helps keep a pulse on the market and what people are interested in.
6. “Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
If you live at the Jersey Shore, you LOVE the Jersey Shore! With that said, there’s an emphasis on local content on-air. Outside of that, we strive to be in the face of our listeners whenever we can. Whether that be at the Toms River Halloween Parade or doing charitable events at the mall.
7. Walk us through the ins and outs of a music meeting.
It starts with looking at the charts and seeing what space we have available for new songs. Then we go through our playlist, listen to new music and make adjustments.
8. The Jersey Shore is legendary, especially in the summer. What are some of the benefits of being part of a scene like that?
The energy at the Shore during the summer is infectious! So much to do and so many opportunities to interact with our listeners and make new ones. Since businesses in the area thrive during the summer, it keeps us very busy.
9. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid? Favorite jock?
New York City radio, as a whole, was my favorite thing to listen to as a kid. So many legendary radio stations like Hot 97, Z100, WBLS and so many amazing jocks from Wendy Williams to Howard Stern.
10. Who would you say that your mentors have been?
I’ve been lucky to have great people guide me in this industry like my current VP of Programming Mike Ryan and WAEB PD Josh Wolff
Bonus Questions
If someone were visiting Syracuse for the first time, what are some of the things that you would make sure that they see before leaving town?
I would suggest going sometime during the college basketball season. That way you can grab food somewhere on Marshall Street and then make your way to the Dome for a game.
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