-
10 Questions with ... Margot Chobanian
February 4, 2013
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WODJ, WGRD, KXNA, WZGC ... There were other comparatively brief stops in there too.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
Watching "WKRP in Cincinnati" when I was a kid.
2. Tell what you are still doing for CBS.
I am the producer of the midday show, "Jerome and Jamie," on WZGC (92.9 The Game) -- the station that Dave-FM became.
3. Tell us about East Atlanta Village Radio
When the staff was told Dave-FM was flipping, at first I was torn. I have, for many years, wanted to study to become a Vet Tech. But I wasn't completely ready to leave radio, either. I was talking one day with Rick Brewer, and he told me he thought I should start an Internet station. I started thinking about it and the more I thought about it, the happier and more excited I became. (It's named after the part of Atlanta in which I live.) I've gotten a lot of help and advice from everyone. It's been great and I am so appreciative. I want to especially thank Birmingham Mountain Radio. They walked me through building an Internet station step by step.
4. Is it affiliated with any other Atlanta-focused website?
No.
5. How are you getting the word out?
For now, it's been word-of-mouth and social media. And thanks to AllAccess too! I can't say enough about how supportive everyone has been.
6. How would you describe the music on the station?
It's not a complete Triple A, but it is Triple A-based. At Dave-FM, I always wanted to be more adventurous with the music. I thought the market would support an Alternative-leaning Triple A, though I understood the parameters of our situation at Dave-FM. So, I am putting my Triple A/Alternative theory to the test with EAVradio. In addition, I am heavy-ing up on bands from the Southeastern region; there are so many great bands from this area of the country and I think they deserve a place in the Southeast where they can be heard. I have a lot of specialty shows planned too, encompassing all genres and eras of music.
7. Do you plan on tying in any local events?
Absolutely! I think that will be a huge key to success.
8. What do you think of the current state of the Triple A format?
I think Triple A is in a hard spot, harder than most other rock formats. There's a fine line to tread and it's getting more and more difficult for a lot of stations; the hybrid nature of the rock that Triple A plays and the hyper-niched focus of the radio world make for some difficult times unless you have patient ownership and a sales staff that really knows how to sell the format.
9. What is your typical day like?
I work at CBS during the day, and I work at EAVradio at night. Somewhere in there, I have a husband and three dogs. (Just kidding, Steven!)
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ...
... COFFEE!
Bonus Questions
Last Non-Industry Job:
At a camera store.
First Record Ever Purchased:
Damn the Torpedos - Tom Petty
First Concert:
Eddie Money (It was 1982/83, I think) I would have preferred my first concert be The Clash!
Favorite Band Of All-Time:
The Replacements
What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
That I could never have done what I have done without many great friends and mentors --both in radio and within the record community.
-
-