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10 Questions with ... Madison
February 21, 2006
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Please outline your radio career so far:
1998-1999: WIFC/Wausau; Overnights/Promotions
1999 -2001: WXKB/Fort Myers; Nights/Promotions
2001- present: WQEN/Birmingham; Middays/MD1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
FUN! My first radio gig in Wausau, WI was so much fun. I did overnights and made $13,000 a year but spent every minute at the station and loved every minute of it. We were a big family! They got me hooked!
2 What led you to a career in radio?
Luck! I would call in to the night show for fun, to try to get on the air, and "Smash," who's now kicking at KISS in Chicago, gave me my first shot. I was terrified to get on the air even on a Tuesday morning at 3am. But the minute I turned off the mic, I wanted to do it again!
3 What approach do you take as far as the structure and content of your program?
My show is all about gossip: Hollywood, music, local gossip or even gossiping about neighbors and friends. I do a LOT of show-prep everyday and keep my website updated with everything I'm talking about so I can push my listeners there for more information and keep my breaks short and action-packed!
4 You say in your bio on the station website, that you have a two-year old son. Do you weave into your show, what has to be a ton of fresh material he provides on a daily basis?
I love to talk about my son's milestones. I did one bit for tickets to DORA where listeners had to identify my son's "baby talk." He was just over one-year old and learning how to talk and it was a lot of fun. I also have a section on my webpage to display my listener's kids. We call them Q-T-Pies. I always get calls from Mom's who want to talk about their kids and I love it. I got a call today from a listener who played me her child's HEARTBEAT from the sonogram. I think being a Mom is something AMAZING I can share with my listeners!
5 Speaking of youngsters, tell us about PD Tommy Chuck!! But seriously folks … how would you describe the air staff using one sentence for each person?
ACE and TJ: They are amazing, and I love their show more every day.
Tommy Chuck: He taught me everything I know.
Nick Nice: It's evident and inspiring to see the way he spends time each day trying to better himself and his program!6 What is your favorite part of the job?
Believe it or not, it's voicetracking. I am blessed to have three voicetracking gigs. I also work for WRVW (The River) in Nashville, WDXB (The Bull) here in Birmingham and WYCL (My 1073) in Pensacola. I love all kinds of music and I love having to challenge myself to do three different formats every day.
7 What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
In rural Wisconsin, I didn't have a lot of choices. It was my first station WIFC in Wausau. After getting into radio, my favorite station to listen to online was WFLZ in Tampa.
8 With the exception of children's songs, what is the last CD you listened to for your personal enjoyment?
Michael Buble "It's Time."
9 Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
Is watching TV a hobby? I suppose going to Chuck-E-Cheese doesn't count either? Nope, no time for hobbies!
10 What advice you would give people new to the business?
Work holidays, weekends and LOVE IT! The harder you work in the beginning, the faster you'll get where you want to be.
Bonus Questions
Which "Desperate Housewife" would you cast yourself as - and why?
I would love to tell you Eva Longoria and mean it - but I'm all grown up now and sadly I'm more like Lynette. But, if a nun tried to steal my man, I'd beat her down like Gabrielle!
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