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10 Questions with ... Chris Booker
March 13, 2007
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NAME:Chris BookerTITLE:MorningsSTATION:WIOQMARKET:PhiladelphiaOWNER:Clear Channel
Please outline your radio career so far:
This could take a while.... '89, WOMP/Wheeling, WV; '92, WYAV/Myrtle Beach, SC; '93, WJMX/Florence, SC; '94, WWXM/Myrtle Beach, SC; '94, KISF/Kansas City; '95, WNRQ/Pittsburgh; '96, WXRK/New York; '03, WNEW/New York; '04, Sirius Satellite Radio; '04, WHTZ/New York; '05, WXRK/New York; '06, WFNY/New York; '06, WIOQ/Philadelphia.
1) Tired of seeing your picture on all of those billboards all over Philly yet?
Nope. I wish they would have superimposed Brad Pitt's face instead of my mug though!
2) How's Philadelphia treating you? Do you dig the town?
That's the #1 question that I get asked. I love it here. I am from the other side of the state, so I really feel at home. I live in Center City, and I love it. Philly has some of the best restaurants in the world. I love the BYOB's and the vibe of downtown. I live a couple blocks away from the tourist destinations (Liberty Bell, etc.), and I happen to love U.S. history. Our Constitution was signed mere blocks away. This is our country's first capital! I love that fact! It is a great city with really great people.
3) Do you still have a residence in NYC? How often do you get back there?
I do. I bought my place in the city years ago, so I am hanging on to that. My fiancée works there a few days a week, so she stays there. I have a couple NYC gigs, one for Sprint TV and the other for TV Guide, so I often need a spot to crash a few days a week.
4) How hard is it to balance your morning show with the extensive TV work that you do?
Nah, you get used to it. I take the train a lot so I get a lot done on my laptop. I find that I just sit around my apartment (in Philly) on the days that I don't travel to NY.
5) Howard Stern made national news by appearing on your Q102 morning show the day it launched. Do you guys keep in touch?
We do. Howard and I have been friends for quite a few years now. I owe him (as most broadcasters do) a lot. Howard and Beth are a great couple that Caron and I love as friends.
6) Describe your Q102 co-hosts. What does each bring to the table?
Diego. He is the best. This man is Philadelphia. I felt that he was underutilized from the second I got here. He has a very quick, biting wit about him. He is a really big hearted person who I just think is the best. Blaire is the producer. We call her "pit-bull" behind the scenes. She is a VERY hard worker and not afraid to speak her mind about anything. She is a very big asset to our show. Jil is the "newest" member to our crew. She is the everyday girl that you want to have a drink with. She is smart but not very "radio," and I like that. I wanted someone real to bounce topics off of. It makes the show sound like friends talking and not "jocks" talking.
7) Has the KDND "water death" incident caused you to rethink your approach to on-air promotions?
No doubt about it. I think we have all heard that bit done 50 different times and never heard of anyone even getting sick, let alone dying! You really have to be careful.
8) You were part of the ill-fated "Blink" format in NYC. In retrospect, what could/should have been done differently?
Best gig of my life! I call it the "gig that paid for my apartment." That was a mess from day one. They hired my girlfriend and me three days before it hit the air. I knew it was doomed from day one when they introduced us to the PD, who had never done a day of radio! It is NYC, and you have a PD with no radio experience? I think it lasted for four months? I got paid for a year. I am still beating myself up for not taking the two-year deal! There were about five cooks in that kitchen, and they all had a different vision. My head spun every day at that job. Lyn and I did what we were told, and that was to read what was written for us. We did. Thank you 102.7! There may have been a format there somewhere within the five different ideas for the place, but it was botched from the top down.
9) Who's the most interesting guest you've ever interviewed?
I can't narrow that one down to one. So many people have brought so much to the table. Anna Nicole was fun. She slapped me during the interview. "Entertainment Tonight" must have played that interview around 50 times by now. I really liked Simon Cowell. He is straightforward and honest all of the time. Scott Stapp from Creed was an amazing guest. He was bombed and gave me the best radio ever. Stevie Wonder sang to my mom. Tom Cruise is one of the best interviews because he is very giving and honest. I really liked him. Sharon Stone gives great TV every time and never forgets me. I like her. I found Britney Spears very interesting as well. I couldn't believe that she had NOTHING going on upstairs and had so much success and with so little talent. A good bod goes a long way, I guess. Matt Damon is straight up the nicest dude in Hollywood. Good egg there. I could go on forever.
10) Future goals -- what do you want to accomplish next?
Morning radio in many cities. That would be nice. I am getting there, but I still have a lot of work to do. I have learned a lot from a ton of different mediums and great programmers, and now I want to put it all together on a national level. One day at a time. I also really want to put together a charity where actual people get the money we raise. Take it out of the politicians' hands (Katrina is a good example) and put it directly into the hands of the people who need it. I want to figure out how to skip the middle man. I want to be mayor of Philadelphia! You watch -- I will make it happen.
Bonus Questions
BONUS: What are your favorite restaurants in New York? In Philadelphia?
Nobu is always solid in NY. The best new sushi place is actually on the Upper East Side now. It is called Sasubuna, and I am OBSESSED!
Philly: I am a sucker for the Steven Star places -- Budakan, Jones, El Vez. I love Morimota, and a solid pick is POD. I think Alma De Cuba is the best in the city though!
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