10 Questions with ... Chris Delozier

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

My radio career began in early 2006 out of nowhere. I started working with our morning show (Zito And Garrett) being their stunt boy and driving the station vehicle. I guess my driving was impressive because I'm now PD and it's only taken five years or so.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I've always been interested in music but the power of the microphone as always interested me the most. Shows like Howard and O&A would have these discussions that I couldn't help but take home and share with other people. I have strange opinions and a lot of quirks myself, so sharing that with people daily is great. I love that a story from me will make its way to thousands of dinner tables each night.

2. What stands out the most from your first job in radio?

I'm not getting shot 1.000 times by paintballs or getting my nipples pierced. Plus, I have a pretty sweet looking desk.

3. After five years with the company, what is your biggest challenge following your recent promotion to PD?

Starting at the bottom with a radio station like I did and rising so quickly can be difficult on relationships with the employees. As stated earlier, I interned with my current morning show Zito And Garrett. They've been amazing to work with and taught me everything basically. I owe them the world, so with that being said; the process of now being "in charge" can be a little difficult.

4. What part of your job do you like best? Least?

Best: I would have to say the authority. You know, my first day as PD I demanded a new toilet seat in the men's room and it happened. Now that's pull.

Least: My office is freezing. By 1pm, I'm usually wearing slippers and a hoodie.

5. What makes the station unique?

Vacation town and 99x is the party. This station is the only one in the market that brings great live shows. Plus, we're always top of mind. When the Arnold Schwarzenegger deal broke, our station gave away prizes when listeners heard "Arnold "pump up" the help". It's small things like that. On top of it all, it's a station that broadcasts so good sometimes, you can "see" it. I mean, homeless people have stopped and given US money.

6. What would an outsider find most surprising about the Ft. Myers radio market?

It's not as small as people think. This is a respectable size market in between huge ones like Tampa and Miami. So the level of bands we're able to spin through town is usually great. I mean, being a vacation type town, a lot of people come here to make a few mistakes and cut loose. We always lend a helping hand in a achieving those goals.

7. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

There are two of them really. 1) A bad day at work can get lost in a bottle of Crown Royal. 2.) I don't' measure my success by competing with others. I know what I'm going to do and I work very hard at it. Let others do what they do, I can only be me. That's what I'm best at.

8. What the story behind your on-air name DC?

It started as an insult name from Zito And Garrett when I was doing morning stunts for them. It stands for Dumb Chris. When I first moved down here, I still had a heavy Rocky Balboa accent going too. That didn't help. Now, it's just been morphed into DC. I'm guessing you can tell, I like DC a little bit more.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

Saying the phrase "what not." It's become a phenomenon around here. Growing up in Northeast Philly, I never heard "and what not" before. Down here in Florida though, it's a staple in the culture. A bunch of us here at the station overuse it all the time now. It started as a joke but has really got out of control. We use, "and what not," "and what have ya", "and so forth", etc.

10. What would surprise people most about you?

I'm actually pretty well read. And I'm possibly the best Super Mario kart player of all time. Super Nintendo edition of course.

What are your hobbies?

Playing guitar, baseball, drinking, Super Nintendo, reading, and I love riding my couch.

Last non-industry job?

Waiting tables and bartending at a pizza restaurant

First record ever purchased?

Metallica's Black Album and Lords Of The Underground "Here Comes the Lords."

First concert?

Live. Right as Throwing Copper was released.

Favorite band of all-time?

Metallica.