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10 Questions with ... Vezzy Parmesan
May 15, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
As a sophomore in college radio with a once a week show on WAIC (Hot 91.9)/Springfield MA is where it all began. Not too long there after, I worked my way up to APD followed by PD then General Manager at WAIC, a position which lasted even after graduation. While in school, I was able to obtain an internship right down the road with CBS Radio/Hartford in promotions since at that time, no programming internships were available. From there I harassed DJ Buck, PD of CBS Radio's WZMX with weekly airchecks until he gave me the opportunity to be a weekend warrior in the middle of the night. Once I got on-air, I did any and everything I could to take my career to the next level which eventually led me to a 7 year run on air with WZMX as a morning show sidekick feature, and doing every shift known to man. In early 2011, DJ Buck tipped me off that there was an opportunity for a morning co-host at the station he got his start in his hometown of Providence, RI. That's when the harassment of Dan Hunt began, sending airchecks, obtaining his aim screen name and even finding him on Llinkedin. About four interviews later, we launched the Rise And Grind morning show and are now about to embark on our 1 year anniversary!
1. Why Radio?
I've always had a great interest in broadcasting in general. When I was young, I would watch baseball on mute with my uncle who is now the voice of the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL and call the games. And even set up wrestling matches in my friend Damien Fahey's basement and call those matches as well. Damien went on to replace Carson Daly on MTV's TRL.
2. To date, what is the highlight of your radio career?
I could be cliché and say something like interviewing Bill Cosby or Bret Michaels, but my real career highlight is probably the first time I cracked the mic on commercial radio for WZMX and stuttered through my entire break and I don't think one English word came out! Your welcome Long Island, CT, and Mass for that epic moment in radio history.
3. At what point in your radio career did you think morning radio might be your thing?
Honestly, I never dreamed of doing mornings, especially since I'm not a morning person, but when DJ Buck and Nancy Barrow approached me about a weekly feature on their show, I was like sure I'll review movies with pizza slices, why not? Who knew it would turn into a full fledged career.
4. If you weren't co-hosting a morning, would you consider yourself a "morning" person?
I always envisioned myself doing afternoons in radio and getting the peoples elbow from the Rock at some point. Absolutely not a morning person at all, waking up could be the worst thing I do with my life and happens every day. It's really no way to live.
5. Who would last longer on Dancing With The Stars, you or your morning partner, Deanna Cruz?
I think I would last much longer, my salsa is incredible. Toss me the tostitos its goin' down like the Yung Joc song!
6. What was biggest adjustment to make when you moved to morning radio?
I spent so long being comfortable with my surroundings in Springfield and 20 minutes down the road in Hartford, I think learning how the rest of the world functioned was the biggest adjustment, that or working with a RI radio legend, our ruthless producer Heartless Jim!
7. Who is your biggest sports hero?
When I was growing up it was the Boston Red Sox Mo Vaughn. I went to his hitting camp and he yelled at me in the batting cage, called me an ass and I loved every minute of it. Now I would say his Boston successor, Big Papi David Ortiz would be that guy. Maybe one day he will yell at me during an interview or something!
8. Describe a perfect Vezzy Parmesan date?
I better be careful how I answer this... Actually a simple nice dinner, red wine and some good uninterrupted quality time with my beautiful fiancé, Lisa. We get married next month so our schedules have been crazy so after that I would I'm hoping we can have a date night! Either that or take her front row to Wrestlemania. I know at least one of us will be in our glory.
9. Who would be your perfect celebrity match? Who would be Deanna's?
Wow that's a great question, I guess I would say Shakira simply because her Hips Don't Lie and nobody likes a liar. As for Deanna, I would say RI Native DJ Pauly D, before Jersey Shore he once tried to win a date with her and lost! True story!
10. If I weren't a morning host on the radio, I would probably be a ________________?
I would be on ESPN reporting, or in the WWE either as the next Gorilla Monsoon or Jim Ross fulfilling my lifelong goal to be the next Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, great heels are irreplaceable!
Bonus Questions
If you could pick a tag team partner in the WWE, who would it be?
I would definitely want to tag with CM Punk. I think he is the best of the next generation and the promos we would cut would be epic. Him or Heartless Jim
Boxers or briefs?
Boxer Briefs.. Best of Both worlds
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