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10 Questions with ... Larry Knight
February 7, 2006
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NAME:Larry KnightPOSITION:MD/NightsSTATION:WWXM (MIX 97.7)MARKET:Myrtle Beach, SCOWNER:Quantum Radio
Please outline your radio career so far:
5/92-6/95
Intern; Bubba the Love Sponge Producer
WFLZ Tampa11/98-8/99
WQSM Fayetteville8/99-2/01
WEZB New Orleans8/01-12/01
WLNF Gulfport-Biloxi12/01-2/03
Promotions Assistant
Clear Channel/New Orleans2/03-7/04
Nights; Mix Show Coordinator
KSTE New Orleans7/04-7/05
Morning Co-host The Big Dumb Fun Show
KSTE New Orleans9/05-Present
MD/Nights
WWXM Myrtle Beach1 How would you describe your first radio gig?
The most fun anyone can have. C'mon I was 16 and an intern at The Power Pig !!
2 What led you to a career in radio?
I always had the radio on as a kid. One time I was doing homework when I heard Tim and Tom do this ridiculous bit where one would say "shhhhhh" and the other would say "it" every 3 seconds. That's when I thought to myself this is what I want to do! I called them up and they said I should ask about an internship. The rest is history.
3 What is your favorite part of the job?
I love creating a compelling, edgy show every night. How do I get the boss to say, "we need to talk" today? I embrace being the station's problem child.
4 What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
I grew up in Tampa, so I got to listen to the Power Pig in its heyday. 3 Lil' Pigs in the morning; Dave Mann/Jennifer Jordan middays; Tim and Tom in the afternoon; Hawk and Marty at night. PS...Shout out to Hawk and Tom up in Greenville.
5 Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
I collect bobble head dolls - er I mean, "action figures" (sounds less feminine).
6 What music do you listen to when you're not working?
Nothing makes me happier than some old skool Hip Hop. "The Humpty Dance" is still my jam!!!
7 What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
That's easy, car dealership remotes suck! The sales guys eat all the free pizza and wanna root through your prizes. Plus they expect you to "save somethin' for my lil' girl."
8 What advice you would give people new to the business?
Make yourself indispensable. Learn a skill that is valuable for each station in your cluster. If you're an Urban jock, learn something about Country (hey, it worked for Nelly and Tim McGraw). The ability to adapt can come in handy if that ol' format wheel should start to spinnin'.
9 Please describe the best or worst promotion you've ever been part of?
The best promo was the "Car Drop" we did in Tampa. Took the idea from Rob Wagman, who executed it flawlessly in New Orleans. There's no better way to get on the news, than dropping a car from a helicopter!
10 What is the current state of the radio 'talent pool'?
Very slim pickings now. Mostly because there's less and less time to develop new talent. The PD is consulting a Rock station two states away and voicetracking nights on the Country sister station. He's too busy to aircheck. We saw this happen when Opie and Anthony got fired back in '03. All of a sudden, 21 markets were without an afternoon show. A lot of them changed formats because suitable talent couldn't be found to fill those holes.
Bonus Questions
What's the best sweeper/liner you've ever heard?
Flip on the Power Pig ... and flip off the competition.
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