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10 Questions with ... Sadie Black
May 6, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. That's a tough balance to find sometimes, but Mike Allen and I discuss each song that could crossover pretty extensively. We don't want a lot of overlap, but we know it will happen. When something comes along that just fits both formats, we go with it. Sometimes I play it early on the Alternative station, and then he puts it in later at The Palm and I back off the song, or vice-versa
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I graduated from our local technical college with an AA in 2011; the very next day I went to do an interview with TJ McKay about roller derby. When he asked what I did for a living, I said I wanted to do radio, and then he offered me a job off-air. I was board-op and overnight personality from 2011-2013 at WISW and WOMG. I went to a charity event, again with my roller derby team, in 2015 and sparked up a conversation with my old PD Paul Cannell. He also offered me a job on the spot, so I always tell people roller derby got me my radio gigs. I've worked at Fox 102.3 ever since, with a brief morning show stint on WARQ (Q 93.5) with Brendan Croghan. I also helped launch Rock 99.7 and 94.9 The Palm.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I have always wanted to do radio. When I was a kid, I remember listening to Casey Kasem and thinking he had the coolest job ever. I made it my "job" to record songs off the radio and did "radio shows" on my little Fisher-Price radio -- the one with the attached mic. My local radio station, Q 105.5, was the first station I ever listened to, and it was my favorite from childhood to adulthood.
2. Who were/are your mentors?
Definitely Mike Allen; he has taught me so much the last few years. I would be nowhere without his guidance. He's my Yoda. Hunter Meyer, my old co-host, was a huge mentor and has always been my biggest supporter. TJ McKay got me into the business, so I would be remiss if I didn't count him in the mix. He really took me under his wing and fostered my love of radio.
3. With your new position as APD, you get to be involved with the programming of the whole spectrum is rock music between the three stations. Tell us about that.
I love that part. I am a rock girl through and through, so I love getting to listen to new music, and making decisions on what gets played. It's like making my own mixed tape like I did growing up, but now I get to share it with Columbia.
4. Triple A and Alternative share a lot of artists these days; how do you keep the stations separated but balanced musically?
That's a tough balance to find sometimes, but Mike Allen and I discuss each song that could crossover pretty extensively. We don't want a lot of overlap, but we know it will happen. When something comes along that just fits both formats, we go with it. Sometimes I play it early on the Alternative station, and then he puts it in later at The Palm and I back off the song, or vice-versa.
5. Triple A WPCO (The Palm) launched not that long ago. How has the audience reception been?
It's been fantastic! People really missed the original Palm, so this definitely scratches their itch. Our morning on air personality, Sloane, has done an incredible job talking to local businesses and organizations in the area and showcases them beautifully. We love having that homegrown, local feel on The Palm, and the listeners do, too.
6. Tell us a bit about the Columbia market.
Columbia is such a great city! We have the University of South Carolina (Go Cocks! I'm an alumni), so we have a young, college crowd, but we also have every other demo you can think of. The music scene is thriving here; we have a lot of great local bands and there's always something going on. We have music festivals, local markets, museums, the rivers, the Riverbanks Zoo, great local restaurants, our baseball team the Fireflies ... it's so diverse and fun. I think Columbia is unexpected. People don't expect to come here and have a lot to do, but there's so much! I always say if you can't find something to do in Columbia, you are not looking!
7. How do you stay in tune with your audience?
By getting out of the studio whenever I can! Sometimes I just decide, "Hey, I'm taking the show on the road today," and one of our great local businesses will always accommodate us last minute. I invite the audience to come, and they show up! I also stay on social media constantly. My audience is important; if they didn't listen, I wouldn't have a job!
8. What is your typical day like?
So busy! I do cross-fit at 6a three to four days a week. Then I go to the office, and start the day doing show prep, social media for all three stations, update all three websites, check on promotions, etc. Mondays and Tuesdays are my craziest days because of meetings, music scheduling, and updating everything from the weekend. At some point, I go home to my three children, and most days I end up driving to some sport or activity for what seems like hours, before I settle down for the night.
9. What would surprise people most about you?
I played roller derby for seven years; I just retired this past Fall.
10. If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?
That's a hard question, because I love my job. Honestly, I used to work part-time at an escape room as a game master and it was so fun. I wouldn't mind running one, or at least managing one, as long as I still get to be a game master from time to time.
Bonus Questions
Last non-industry job:
Cheerleading coach
First record ever purchased:
Alanis Morrissette "Jagged Little Pill"
First concert:
This is slightly embarrassing ... my parents took me to REO Speedwagon when I was 8 ... I think...
Favorite band of all-time:
That's a tough one, too. The first one that came to mind is Foo Fighters; I'm pretty much in love with Dave Grohl, and my husband is okay with it.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
I spend as much time with my husband and kids as I can; we make a point to spend good, quality time together. We all love escape rooms and amusement parks. Traveling, which I'm doing a lot this year. I also really enjoy hanging out with my friends and having really meaningful conversations, where no one touches a phone unless we have to Google something. I'm also a concert junkie.
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