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10 Questions with ... Mark McCray
October 3, 2017
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- WCIL-FM/Calrbondale, IL
- WPNT-FM/Chicago, IL
- KRLD-AM/Dallas, TX
- KKDA-FM/Dallas, TX
- KRNB-FM/Dallas, TX
- ABC Radio Networks
- KJCE-AM/Austin, TX
- KQBT-FM/Austin, TX
- WMBX-FM/West Palm Beach, FL
- WNEW-FM/West Palm Beach. FL
- KBFB-FM/Dallas, TX
- KZMJ-FM/Dallas, TX
1. What got you into radio?
My mom suggested one summer that I should take college courses after my junior year. Columbia College was offering classes and I decided on Radio Broadcasting. It sounded fun, so I chose it. Little did I know I would fall in love with it after the first class. Thanks Mom!
2. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
I really didn't have a profession picked out. My father was on the Fire Department and my mom was an X-Ray tech. I really didn't want to do those jobs so when asked what I want to be when I grow up, I usually said fireman or astronaut just to give an obligatory answer. Lol!
3. You've lived and worked in Texas for many years now. Are you now an honorary or full-on Texan?
I'll always be a Chicagoan. But since I've been able to spend a lot of my professional career in Texas (Dallas and Austin) and I think I have earned my status as at least an Honorary Texan! Additionally, my former listeners consider me a Floridian after spending 10 years there!
4. Is this the first time you've been an off-air programmer?
Yes. I will always be an on-air talent, you never lose that, but my concentration has really shifted lately to bigger picture thinking. I am perfectly fine with that as I am continuing to grow as a radio executive.
5. What would probably surprise most people about Dallas?
It's not all cowboy hats and pick-up trucks. Anyone that has been to Dallas knows that it is a major cosmopolitan city. Great culture, sports and people! For years I thought it was one of the nation's best kept secrets, but with the population boom lately, people are catching on!
6. What's your favorite song on the station (KBFB) right now?
I am really enjoying the songs that SZA is putting out for the audience. I think she is a star. I also still like the Cardi B song! She just did our annual Car Show and Concert and killed it!
7. If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?
I'm not sure, something that I am not nearly as passionate about probably. However, I do like teaching, so if I was a broadcasting teacher, I would take that as a second choice!
8. We know your radio job keeps you very busy but what do you like to do in spare time you have?
I love movies, traveling and rollercoasters! Lol! Yep, I have made trips specifically to visits amusement parks...I'm that guy!
9. Who have been some of your radio mentors?
I have been blessed with a few. Jay Stevens, Michael Spears, Jojo Davis and Todd Manley. I have also had some great General Managers who I believe helped me grow as a Program Director like Ben Hill, Steve Carver, John Hiatt, Gary Spurgeon and my current Market Manager Tami Honesty.
10. If you had to eat one type of meal every day for a month, what would it be?
Probably Tex-Mex, this is awesome because I live in Texas! Of course, honorable mention goes to seafood, BBQ and Asian.
Bonus Questions
Pick a record promotion executive to be your teammate on BEAT SHAZAM?
That's a hard one...but IF I HAD TO CHOOSE ONE, it would be Kevin "Chixo" Gibbs. I can't stump him when it comes to music...and I've tried! Mike Lieberman would be great too!
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