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10 Questions with ... Fishboy
September 29, 2020
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started in my home market of Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton in 1999 at WILK News/Talk Radio as a part time producer/ board op. 2001 I made the jump to WKRZ-FM as night show stunt boy/ producer and part time weekend jock. After being a part of the night show in some fashion for the next 7 years, I was named full time night jock in 2008. I was then promoted to Music Director in 2012 and eventually APD in 2016.
1. Did you choose the name Fishboy or was it bestowed upon you?
Well my original nickname was Flounder from the movie Animal House—that was given to me in high school; however the night jock at the time J.J. wasn’t a fan so instead bestowed upon me Fishboy.
2. Not many people get to live their dream and work on their hometown radio station. You’ve done it for 20 years. What’s that part of your life like for you?
It’s surreal to wake up every day and be able to apart of one of the biggest influences on your childhood. Since I was in elementary school I wanted to work at KRZ. I would listen every morning and afternoon to and from school, and then again at night while doing my homework. To me it was and still is the coolest job in the world. I’m blessed for the amazing people I have worked with throughout my 20 + years. They have taught me so much along the way. Being on and apart of KRZ is truly my ultimate dream come true.
3. Jeff Walker has been doing afternoons at ‘KRZ for close to 40 years. What’s it like to come on after someone who you listened to as a kid?
I remember the first time I met Jeff I was probably 10 or 11 at the time. My family and I had stopped at a furniture place in Wilkes-Barre and he was there broadcasting live. I was in awe on how people just flocked to him. After waiting in line to play the infamous KRZ Birthday Wheel, I spun it and won a Van Halen CD. He in his big radio voice congratulated me and I remember being ecstatic all day after that. Fast forward to when I started at KRZ Jeff was very welcoming and throughout the years I was able to grow and learn from one of the legendary personalities in the business. He was and still is a big influence on why I do what I do.
4. What is it you love most about doing nights?
I get to entertain and talk to my hometown every single night. Along the way I have watched younger listeners grow up right in front of me and it seems like one night they were calling me to be on my Hot 9 at 9 Countdown, and the next thing you know what seems to be like overnight they are adults telling me how they used to call as kids. I get a chance to reach a younger audience and introduce them to new music night in and night out and be a part of their nightly regiment.
5. Over the years the station has had more # 1 ratings books than you could count. Do you feel that heritage still matters and what secrets of that success would you like to share?
There is no doubt that heritage and locality is the main reason to our great success. We are extremely fortunate to have such known and relatable personalities that have been at KRZ for decades. Not to mention a Market Manager along with our OM/PD who truly gets and embraces local. The KRZ listeners are beyond loyal and they love our brand which definitely shows in the ratings time in and time out. The true key to all of it is the people who make up KRZ, whether on the air or behind the scenes, are truly a great team and work amazing together. We all respect each other a ton and even in times of disagreement we work through it with such ease and always with the same goal in mind to do what’s best for KRZ and are amazing listeners.
6. Is there any such thing as a ‘typical’ music meeting with PD Mike O’Donnell?
LOL--no definitely not! The only thing typical is the fact it will take about 2-3 hours. That’s why it’s my favorite time of the week. We really dive into the resources that we are allotted and discuss/debate it’s always a blast. The great thing about it is we are open to each other’s opinions and trust each other when it comes to making the pivotal music decisions. It’s never about who’s right who’s wrong it’s only about what’s best for KRZ and of course the listeners.
7. With all the technology we now have at hand is it easier to find the hits?
Yes, I would say so. However, it comes down to truly knowing your market. Streaming, Sales and Shazam in your market are nice gages and so are the social media apps YouTube, TikTok, Twitter etc. However, they are just tools and being able to have local based callout and the overall experience of knowing the market is the trick in picking out the hits for KRZ.
8. “Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. How do you keep the station visible and involved in the community in the midst of everything that’s been going on?
It’s in the daily message. Having 3 major dayparts live and local is what makes it. We are able to deliver the critical information needed and also entertain and provide a healthy distraction as well. We have talked with local experts, shared stories from local frontline workers and have and always will be there for our listeners. Our staff has completely stepped up and went beyond--including our afternoon show, which for weeks expanded their live weekly show to Sunday afternoons just to be able to keep the community informed and offer them a little more normalcy during this crazy time. That’s just a few examples of our everyday involvement.
9. Which social media platforms best help you to engage with your listeners these days?
Being in medium size market such as Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton we tend to find that Facebook and Instagram are really where most of our local listeners interact. Although we do have accounts for all of the major social apps those two are really the most engaging.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
Wow, the list is long! I have been blessed to work with some of the best. I have to give credit to the person who hired me back in 1999 Joe Slish--it’s all his fault. I have had many great PD’s and APD’S along the way Nancy Kman, Jerry Padden, Tias Schuster and Kelly K. As far as on air goes obviously JJ Pedo aka @KadenRadio for giving me a shot to be on KRZ with him. Obviously, our current air staff Rocky and Lissa and Jeff and Amanda watching and being around them has made me so much better at my job. Finally my OM, Michael “O.D.” O’Donnell, who has helped the most in my growth, and knowledge of how to be an APD and better in every aspect of my job.
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