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10 Questions with ... Monti Carlo
June 28, 2005
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NAME:Monti CarloPOSITION:APD/MD/Midday TalentSTATION:WLDI (Wild 95.5)OWNER:Clear ChannelMARKET:West Palm Beach
Please outline your radio career so far: (station/date, station/date, etc.)
My first gig was from 2000 through 2003 at WZGC in Atlanta. ("ZEE! 93" as Art Mahring used to say. Love him.) I was the Morning Show Sidekick and the Public Affairs Director. I went to Myrtle Beach for Middays at WSEA "Hot 100" from 2003-2005. Now I'm a card-carrying member of the Clear Channel Family in West Palm Beach at WLDI "Wild 95.5."
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
Amazing! I walked among legends. Dwight Douglas hired me in my Batman pajamas. Can you believe that!?!? I had Dave Marino, Art Mahring and Mara Davis - all very strong, very talented people - guide me through my first years on-air. Plus I got the chance to rub elbows with some true radio geniuses like Fred Toucher, Neal Boortz and of course my "Oprah," Leslie Fram
2) It's our 10th anniversary this year. What were you doing 10 years ago?
1995 ... GEEZ ... I was 20 years old and had just moved to the States from Puerto Rico. I was living in Orlando, working at a pub and modeling on the side. And OHmuhGAWD- trying my hardest to get in Rob Thomas's pants! I was THE BIGGEST Tabitha's Secret groupie. Ewwww!
3) What would you like to be doing 10 years from now?
I want to write and produce a weekly TV show about the incredibly odd world of RADIO! And I'd like to write Children's books. I'm working on my first one right now: "How to Keep Monsters From Hiding Underneath Your Bed (A Guide For The 5-Year Old In All Of Us)."
4) Using one sentence for each, how would you describe the on-air staff at the station?
Morning Host - Kevin Rolston is a very focused PREP MACHINE...the Prep-arator!
Morning Host - Virginia is smack dab in the middle of New Mommy Madness and she still manages to look amazing.
AM Stunt Guy - Jason is a Budding Radio Star...though he should shower more.
AM Producer - Marianna is the glue that keeps our Morning Show together and a great knitter (if you want some great booties).
PD/Afternoons - Chris Marino, the Captain of the WLDI ship, is a true leader ...and a little bit of a PERV.
Nights - Valentine is a true Radio Junkie who is super fun to listen to and also Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs!.
5) What do you do to keep ahead of your listeners in terms of trends, likes and dislikes?
TiVO! Plus I'm out three or four nights a week. I usually give the room a good once over. Check out the songs that get them onto the floor. I also answer ALL the calls I get. It can be annoying, but you learn a lot.
6) What music do you listen to when you're not working?
Mostly Indie Rock. Bands like Neutral Milk Hotel, Guided By Voices, Superdrag, Pavement. I love Stevie Wonder, "Songs in the Key Of Life" and Facundo Cabral, "Secretos."
7) What advice you would give people new to the business?
Talk slow. Think fast.
8) Podcasting. Instant downloads. Blogs. How can we use the ever-increasing digital technologies to keep people coming back to radio for their entertainment fix?
MAKE YOUR WEBSITE MASSIVELY INTERACTIVE, and they will come. Websites are the most under-utilized tool in every radio station. It's sad, really.
9) What effect, if any, has industry consolidation had on your current situation?
THERE'S NOT ENOUGH RISK TAKERS IN RADIO ANYMORE.
10) Looking around your office, desk, walls, etc. ... how would you describe your working space?
A BLEEPIN mess, but it's MY BLEEPING mess. I've got my AIR Awards, a picture of me hugging on Kelly Clarkson WHO I LOVE, and a John Cuzack poster. I would just DIE if I ever got the chance to meet him! OH! Plus a VOODOO Starter's manual ... for the SPECIAL people in my life.
Bonus Questions
How did you get your on-air name?
Dwight Douglas said, "You're name is Karla Monte." I said, "NO. I am not a KARLA." So he said, "OK ... how about Monte." And I said, "That works." Fell right in his trap. My FIRST on-air break ever ... "Z93 Atlanta's Classic Rock. It's Monte Carlo (long pause) I'm a Chevy. We'll be right back.
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