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Charese Fruge’ (@MCMediaonline) Talks To Lauren Crocker
July 19, 2022
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Lauren Crocker is a self-admitted late bloomer when it comes to the radio industry, but that doesn’t mean that she’s slowed down in any way when it comes to achieving both personal and professional success. She is co-host of the Blaine Fowler Morning Show on 963WDVD in Detroit Rock City! When the mic is off, she can be seen on weeknights as a contributor to Dish Nation on Fox 2-Detroit and as a panel guest on Live in the D on Local 4. She is also a wife and mom to a 10-month-old. She’s got it all.
“I started my broadcasting career ‘later in life’--I was 30 years old when I landed my first internship!” says Crocker. “Many women who I look up to in the business started in high school, college, or their early twenties, so I felt like I had to make up for lost time. I think I'm still feeling that way 12 years later,” she says. “After interning at KTU in New York City, I got my first on air gig on the Jersey shore! I was hired to do weekends at B985, and I loved it. After about a year, I got my first chance to do mornings at WFAS in Westchester, NY. Sadly, that station is no longer around, but I will never forget that opportunity. I knew then that morning radio was my ultimate goal.”
“I then went back to NJ to host middays and afternoons at 107.1 (now The Boss, but it was a hot AC at the time),” says Crocker. “Then Detroit called. I moved myself, my boyfriend and my two dogs to the Midwest! I was the midday host on 93.1 DRQ and then my dream to do mornings again came true. I was hired down the hall as co-host on the Blaine Fowler Morning Show on 963 WDVD in 2015.”
“As co-host, I am the show's trending/entertainment queen and I keep Blaine and our producer Matty in-line daily which is ALOT OF WORK, but I love it,” says Crocker. “Blaine and I contribute to Dish Nation which airs on Fox nightly and I appear on a local morning television show Live in the D as a panel guest a few times a month. I also MC/ Host events throughout the year in Detroit.”
“I got into radio because I love connecting with people and I like to entertain. I've always loved making people laugh or smile, even as a kid. I come from a theater family, and I have a theater background myself,” explains Crocker. “I was a teen in the MTV/TRL days, and I thought Carson Daly was so lucky to be able to interview artists and talk about music for a living. I also fell in love with Jenny McCarthy on the show ‘Singled Out.’ I remember thinking that I love that she gets to wear cool clothes and makeup to work have fun and interact with the crowd! I still want to do that!...waiting for my call MTV!”
Lauren took a big leap at the age of eighteen. She moved to NYC. “I started listening to the Elvis Duran Morning Show and I was hooked. I just loved how they connected to each other and their audience,” she recalls. “I was living in New York when 911 happened. The first thing I did was turn on the radio. I wanted to hear how my morning show, my ‘family’ was reacting. I felt connected to people I didn't even know. Even during all the chaos and fear, I did not feel alone. I knew I wanted to be that connection for someone one day. It took a couple of years for me after that but eventually I went back to school to focus on broadcasting and the rest is history.”
The path to her current success wasn’t an easy one for Lauren. “One of the biggest challenges in my career was definitely moving from New York to Detroit to host middays at 93.1 DRQ. I had moved around in life before, but this was the first time I moved for my career and also the first time that my decision to move affected someone else,” she says. “My boyfriend moved with me, his work at the time allowed for it and he got a job here pretty quickly. But it was not the same experience for him as it was for me, and I was so scared all the time that he would regret it. The station was brand new; it was a big break for me in my career and I wanted to succeed more than anything. I was also feeling pressure that I made a huge mistake moving both of us away from our friends and family. But I worked my butt off and grabbed onto every opportunity possible to succeed and TRY to make it all worth it!”
“I moved to Detroit on a two-year contract back in 2014 and we're STILL here,” says Crocker. “I now have my dream job on a morning show and my boyfriend became my husband and we started our family here...so I would say things have worked out so far! But it hasn't always been easy. And I am extremely lucky to a have a partner who supported me then and still does today.”
As with the challenges of the radio business, come the many rewards, according to Lauren. “I've been so fortunate in my career. I have had the opportunity to interview and be in the presence of great artists, actors, and politicians. There are a few moments that stand out for sure. During an internship, I once was in the same room as Prince! I saw him from afar, but wasn't allowed to talk to him...still epic!” She says. “I remember an exciting one on one in person interview, which happened to be with ED SHEERAN. My co-host couldn't be there, and it was just me and Ed backstage before his show. I'll admit it was not my best interview, I was way too nervous and excited. At one point, during the interview, Ed Sheeran yawned. OMG I was so embarrassed! I was boring him to tears! But we laughed about it, and he was so cool and kind,” she cringes. “Recently, we interviewed Chris Martin from Coldplay and I was able to tell him how his song “Yellow” got me through a very difficult time in my life. He was so receptive, and it was a special moment that I will never forget.”
Another unforgettable moment for Lauren: “Maybe the craziest thing that I've done on the air was broadcast live the morning of my wedding day,” she says. “I got married in Cape Cod, MA and our whole show was there (as guests) but we did a show that morning and it was all a blur. At the time I thought it was a great idea... looking back, I don't know what I was thinking!” She laughs.
As for women who want to get into the radio business, Lauren has great advice. “I would tell any woman to be true to herself and work HARD,” she says. “Talent is great, and it will get you in the building, but it's your hard work ethic and willingness to evolve and step up to the challenge that will keep you in the building. Don't be afraid to be exactly who are! Whether you're on the air or work in sales, you were hired for your talent and skill and what you have to offer. They are lucky to have you,” she adds.
“Ask questions and put yourself out there. Opportunities don't often fall in our laps, if you have an idea for a new on-air feature go to your PD and talk to them,” says Crocker. “If you have an idea for a sales opportunity, talk to your AEs about it. Come from a place of YES - take a chance, make the move, be open to new things. Your career path might not look like what you thought it mighr, but the twists and turns can take you to amazing places and awesome opportunities.”
When it comes to the person behind the mic, according to Lauren, you’d be surprised to find that she’s very shy in real life, especially when it comes to meeting new people. “I've worked hard over the years to overcome some social anxiety meeting listeners, meeting clients for the first time or hosting live events,” she says. “It's better now, but I still work on it. I think people assume we are always social and it’s easy for us. That’s not always the case. I've met more introverts in radio than anywhere else!”
“Like most of us in the radio business, the fear of failure keeps me up at night,” she adds. “Fear of failing as a mom, wife and in my career. A not-so-great trifectal. It's no secret that radio can be finicky, and very talented people lose their jobs in our business too often. I would be lying if I said I don't think about it,” Crocker admits. “But we have a three-person show and that means we all have to bring it every day! I am very lucky to work with Blaine and Matty, who are professional, kind, respectful, creative, and FUN! We laugh ALOT at work and who wouldn’t be grateful for that? We've been a good team for years and we have made so many memories on and off the air. What more could you ask for?”
Lauren does her best to stay focused on her “trifecta,” and maintain balance between her personal and professional life. “I have a ten-month-old son, so when I'm not at work, I'm mostly just loving being a mom!” She says. “I love to travel, workout, got to concerts, and theater. My hubby and I love to try new restaurants around town- When we get a date night- Hard to come by these days.”
“I am also a BRAVO TV geek,” she says. “So, my binging is basically anything Housewives or any show on the channel really. I love documentaries and true crime as well. And I might have just watched some of the Hallmark Channel's Christmas in July movies.”
Yes, it’s already July! “I feel like 2022 is going by SO FAST but I look forward to some exciting projects on our show for the second half of the year,” says Crocker. “I am also looking forward to podcast opportunities outside of our show. I can't wait to touch on topics that our listeners care about. From fashion to local flavor to politics, it’s all going to be very exciting.”
Follow Lauren on Instagram @thelaurencrocker/Twitter @laurencrocker_ /TIKTOK @morninlauren /FB Lauren Crocker
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