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10 Questions with ... Syke
April 19, 2022
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I got my start in radio VERY early, in high school actually. I went to St John The Baptist in West Islip where I took a radio class and worked on our high school radio station. I always had an interest in radio, but this hooked me! The rest is history. I now work for my hometown radio station, the station I grew up listening to, and have done everything. Programming/MD, on-air weekends, overnights, nights, afternoon drive, and now mornings!
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
I worked for Party 105, a local station willing to give me my first shot on-air in my senior year of college. It was an awesome place to get my foot in the door and get that first taste of working in this industry.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
I grew up listening to the radio, those late nights as a kid in bed with the Mets game in my ear as I fell asleep. Listening to Elvis Duran & The Z Morning Zoo on my way to school. Al Levine on BLI on my way home from school. The passion, the creativity, the theater of the mind, all things that led me to finding my love for radio. I always said growing up that whatever I did in life, I didn’t want to 1) wear a suit and 2) have to sit behind a desk. I do neither of those two things! I can’t wait to get to work every morning and on my way home, I can’t wait to get back the next day.
3. What’s it like for you to be on the air – doing mornings no less – in your hometown?
A dream! This is the station I grew up listening to. Who gets to say they host the morning show on the station they were raised on?! My guess, not many.
4. How does your morning show with Ally jump start the rest of the station’s broadcast day?
We are high energy, always positive. After the show, we try to walk around the building and say hi to as many co-workers as we can, hoping we can give them some energy and positivity to thrive that day, the same way we set out to do the same for our listeners. We need to make sure that energy carries through our entire building, both on and off the air.
5. How did navigating the pandemic make you a better broadcaster/programmer?
I learned to think better on the fly, not knowing what to expect, but to be prepared for anything and ready to execute. I didn’t miss a single day in studio. I didn’t want to be anywhere but in the studio. It really reinforced my love for the industry, not that it needed to be reinforced. I also feel we developed a deeper connection and trust with our audience.
6. You’re well-known for the great job that you do interviewing musicians and other celebrities. What’s your secret sauce and who have a couple of your favorites ones been with?
I don’t know if it’s a secret, but treat these artists and celebrities like normal human beings, because they are! I know they live a much different life, but most of them just want to be spoken to like you and I would like to be spoken to. I feel it’s super-important to earn their trust, too. I’m not one of these guys looking to get a scoop or use them to get a viral clip. If it happens, great…but let them be the ones to give it to you. Don’t go digging. Earning their trust and making sure they know they’re safe with you as an interviewer is key to developing those great relationships. I typically ask an artist when starting “what do YOU want to get across the most in this chat?”
Favorites? I love them all, but have developed really great relationships with Meghan Trainor (we talk often), Charlie Puth, Selena Gomez, Ed Sheeran, and Bebe Rexha!
7. Is there a “dream guest” out there that you’d love to have on?
Justin Timberlake.
8. You and the station go above and beyond in the community. Who are some of the organizations that you are proud of working with?
Special Olympics, Island Harvest, and Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition
9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
Elvis Duran, Kid Kelly, Paul Cubby Bryant, Al Levine on the Scene, Ron & Fez, Opie & Anthony.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
Jeremy Rice. Plain and simple. He has the most brilliant programming mind when it comes to top 40, has a devout passion for the business, appreciates and respects creativity, and believes in his people. On top of that, he’s a great friend, a loyal leader, and an incredible father. Somebody I have always looked up to & will forever be thankful for taking me under his wing & teaching me everything he knows.
Bonus Questions
With the brand new UBS Arena at your disposal and an unlimited budget, which 3-5 acts would you pull together for a ‘BLI Summer Bash?
Wow, what a question! Dream lineup for any show right now, for me, would be Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, and Justin Timberlake. (only place that’s happening though is my dreams)
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