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10 Questions with ... Murph Dawg
January 6, 2009
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NAME:Murph DawgPOSITION:MorningsSTATION:WBTSMARKET:AtlantaCOMPANY:Cox RadioBORN:12-26-1975RAISED:Queens, NY
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Where to begin?... Once upon a time, I started out my radio career at WLIR/Long Island, NY. 6 months later, they signed on a sister station. WXXP (Party 105). I worked there and got my first fulltime gig with them. Throughout the whole time I worked at Party I was co-hosting Nights, then Co-hosting Afternoons, then FT Overnights, AMD, Creative Services and Production under PD, Skyy. Come to think of it, I think I had some janitorial duties, too. I then moved to WHZT/Greenville, SC as Nights APD/MD under PD Fisher. I Won Billboard/Monitor APD/MD of the year in 2003, S.I.N. MD of year, as well. I then got the call to the big leagues, AM Drive at WBTS/Atlanta under PD Cagle. I've been in Atlanta for 2 1/2 years now.
1. What got you interested in Radio?
To be honest, I was an Architecture Major in High School and College. I then Changed majors in College and took Comm Arts. I thought I was going to go into TV Production but I interned at WLIR and fell in love with radio so much that I couldn't resist. With my love of music, this was the career for me. Although, I still love Architecture. Wright, Corbu, Meier, Goudi, Louis Kahn, etc.
2. You've been doing mornin gs for a few years now...besides the nasty alarm clock, what's been the biggest adjustment from nights and afternoons to mornings?
I was so naive about the adjustment. Here I am, mainly a night guy going to bed at 3-4 am and then all of a sudden I had to wake up at that time. I figured it would take me two weeks "tops" to adjust. 2 1/2 yrs later I am still adjusting. lol. I do think the biggest adjustment for me was to put myself on a schedule and plan out my whole day of what I need to do, what errands I have to run and not just go wherever the wind takes me.
3. You were APD/MD at WHZT/Greenville for several years...miss being involved in the music side of programming? And does it frustrate you that your PD, Cagle, has ears of stone?
Haha. I have to be honest, I do miss the calls from labels about why we aren't playing their record. Well, maybe not that part. However, I do miss being in a management level and programming, but I also love the fact that I can really put all my focus towards the morning show without any day to day conflicts that Cagle has to go through regularly. Ah yes, Cagle's ears... I need not say anymore because I value my job. (but sometimes...) However, Cagle does a great job with the plan that he follows. He executes flawlessly.
4. What's the highlight of your radio career to date?
There are so many highlights that I have in my career, its so hard to single one out over the other. Working and Networking with everyone in my radio history, winning Billboard, getting the gig in Atlanta, but I think the one that sticks out the most to me is leaving my home and moving down to Greenville, getting my first own Night Show and going #1 in my very first book. After almost being convinced not to go it was a huge accomplishment for me. (Thanks Fisher for hiring me)
5. How are you liking living in Atlanta?
I Love ATL. I feel so at home here and I love the timing of which I am down here because ATL is the Mecca of Hip Hop now. Growing up in Queens, living through New York blowing up the Hip Hop scene I can appreciate it even more. I love the passion of the city.
6. Tell us about your morning show co-host, CJ. Didn't she work across the street?
I met CJ at an open mic night at Diddy's Restaurant "Justin's" down here when she was working across the street and I introduced myself and talked briefly. Right after that I thought to myself, "wow, she's pretty cool." Six months later she became my new co-host.
When she got the gig, and we were on the air together for the first time, there was like an automatic chemistry between us. You would think that we worked together for years. She is an amazing person who is very strong willed, and we have such a brother and sister relationship with each other. There are times where we want to kill each other because we know each others weakness and go after it just like brothers and sisters do but we also respect each other and I couldn't ask for anything more. I love the fact that she brings a different outlook than I have, so if someone's not feeling what I have to say they will feel her and vice versa.
7. Didn't you play hockey? Are you able to get out to any Atlanta Thrashers games?
Yeah I played hockey and baseball my whole life. Although, after being concussed quite a few times I stopped hockey and got into a career. I still play in a couple of softball leagues though. (If you need an all star shortstop, I'm your man.) I am currently looking to get into an adult hockey league, too. I do go to Thrasher games all the time as well as Hawks basketball games and Falcons Games every week, and when the Braves start up again you bet you can find me there, too. I love going to sporting events so much. I guess that's why I don't currently have a GF.
8. What area of your game would you like to sharpen in 2009?
I want to work on my focusing and multi-tasking. Definitely something I would like to really sharpen.
9. What has surprised you about doing a major market morning show?
This was my first morning show I have ever done, and I was like a blank sheet of paper. Every station I worked for, with the exception of WLIR, never had a morning show while I was working there so it was all new to me which gave me a lot of surprises. However, I already knew the competition would be intense here, and now with PPM in the market, it levels the playing ground and heightens the intensity as well, so everyone has to step up their game to a Ho Nuvva Levva!
10. If you were to leave Radio today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be?
Well I also manage a Top 40/Rhythmic group by the name of EPDMK (check them out at www.myspace.com/EPDMK ). They are like Linkin Park on valium, with more hip hop appeal to them and they do a sick acoustic set, so I guess that would be the path I would like to follow fulltime if I was done with Radio.
Bonus Questions
As a former MD...what record rep do you most miss dealing with on a regular basis and why?
Oh man, that's a tough one. There are quite a few. I miss dealing with Gary Marella, Horse, Nino, Sackheim, Michael Williams, Mike Lieberman, Erik Olesen, all my locals, although I still talk to Ali O'Connell from time to time to catch up when she's not runnin' out of town as well as Cat Collins because I need to talk hockey with someone. I also miss talking to "Pistol" Pete Jones at this fine establishment, and I also miss Vinnie da S.I.N. who's name I always wanted to change to Vinnie Da Pitbull, because he bites down and latches on until he gets his point across. Miss you guys.
If you could be on a TV reality show...which would you like to be on? Wouldn't it be fun to watch Cagle on ABC's Wipeout?
Three years ago I tried out for "The Amazing Race". Thats the only reality show I can see myself doing. Unfortunately I didn't get it, but hopefully in the future I will be able to be on there. I think I would definitely make the finals, if not win the Milly.
Not only would I like to see Cagle on Wipeout, but I would love to see Cagle on a Japanese game show, because they are all about humiliation. haha.
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