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10 Questions with ... Wingnut
August 9, 2022
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Starting in ’05 hired part-time with iHeart (then Clear Channel), full-time in ’06 with WFKS (then WBVD), full-time VT’er with WXXL in ’12, and now PD of WKSL/WFKS/WGMY in 2021.
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
First on-air gig was overnights on WFKS (WBVD) in 2005. It honestly took me 3 hours to track a 5 hour shift and I missed our station event with T-Pain due to nerves.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
I heard about internship programs on air, called the OM in the building and worked my way up the ladder.
3. What do you love the most about programming and being on the air in a beach market like Jacksonville?
Beachside markets are amazing! Both Melbourne and Jacksonville are beach communities and I actually live in Melbourne Beach about ½ mile from the Atlantic Ocean. When programming for a beachside community, you know the majority of the population, on a nice day, packs up the coolers and is ready to put their chairs in the sand and hear some good music!
4. How did navigating the pandemic make you a better programmer?
The pandemic was interesting in Florida. As many know, Florida really only shut down fully for a few weeks. So outside of the two-weeks it was programming as normal, when it comes to promotions. We integrated in-app listening and it really drove TSL through streaming up up up! So, we had to make sure our app positioning was a #1 priority.
5. You still get to rock the mic every night on the air. What does that part of your day mean to you?
Being on-air is still something I hold truly close to my heart. My on-air personality is the same as who I am as a person. I like to make witty jokes, love to get in and out of breaks as fast as possible, and with doing multiple dayparts through the state of Florida I can really reach many different people. Nights, as we know, is younger so I can joke around more while still being relatable. The afternoons show(s) bring a different challenge. Meaning, I can still joke but know I’m talking to an older audience.
6. Who would be a “dream guest” to have on your show?
I’m a huge Jason Mantzoukas fan (‘The League’, ‘The House’, ‘Brooklyn Nine Nine’, ‘How Did This Get Made’ podcast). He’s not only one of the funniest actors out but he’s also a massive music fan. He knows all kinds of music genres and can speak to many types of music. I mostly just want to meet him and yell out “GEOSTORM!!!”
7. With all of the information that we have at hand these days, is it easier or harder to find the *real* hits?
I would say it’s easier. From algorithms to Shazam info, plus if a market is lucky enough to get research then you know what the market is listening to.
8. Tis the season—have we heard the ‘Song of Summer 2022’ yet?
Kate Bush “Running Up The Hill”…I finally got the courage to watch “Stranger Things,” because I don’t like scary shows or movies. That song, you can’t deny how cool it is to have a hit from the mid-80’s come back into pop culture.
9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
Ironically, I grew up listening to the station I currently am based out of. WFKS used to be WBVD (95-1 The Beat). We were the only hip-hop station in the market and from going to football and wrestling practice to afternoon surfing days, we’d be blaring out The Beat. My SVPP knows just how much I used to miss that station.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
The above mentioned SVPP, Ken Holiday. Through my 16+ year career he’s always had my back. He hates that I call him my boss, but I now do it to watch his reaction. Without him, I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am today. A quick list also includes: Rick Everett, Jana Sutter, Johnny Magic (and basically all of TEAM XL!), James Steele (who first put me on the air with him). There are new influences today in other formats that I know I can quickly team up and pick their brains (Chumley, G-Wiz, John Lund, DJ Wizkidd, Frank Harris)
Bonus Questions
With the venue of your choice at your disposal and an unlimited budget, which 6 acts would you pull together to throw a massive listener concert?
Venue: Kaufmann Stadium (I’m originally from Kansas City) Artists: Eminem, DJ Trentino, Tech N9NE, Logic, any musical from Lin-Manuel Miranda, Beastie Boys.
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