-
10 Questions with ... John Fanning
September 17, 2013
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started as a part-time board op/ production Assistant over three years ago at Equinox Broadcasting, while I was attending College for Audio Engineering. Finished up College, and I was offered a full-time job. Worked my way up the company ladder, working midnight-6a on our Classic Rock station 95 The Met in Elmira, NY. I'm currently the morning show host on our Alternative station 100.5 The Drive.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
My interest in radio started in my teens, exposed to college radio shows playing music I listened to, and a few of our local rock stations. In my '20s I had XM radio, and enjoyed some of the punk and Alternative music stations, political talk shows, and some of the not so political shows like Opie And Anthony. When I went to College for Audio Engineering I was introduced to my friend who had a job working for Equinox Broadcasting as a board op. I was lucky enough to replace him when he went on to further his college education. The rest is history.
2. Tell us about Equinox Broadcasting and your role with the company?
Equinox Broadcasting is an expanding locally owned and operated company in Binghamton, and Elmira NY. Started over 15 years ago with just two stations WCDW, and WMTT. We now currently have seven stations total including WDRE. Our staff consists of seasoned veterans, and hard working newbies like myself. I believe we are the best and brightest radio staff in our market, always working with and for our local community. My role at Equinox Broadcasting is hosting the morning show on WDRE 100.5 The Drive, I also have a role in what new music gets added on 100.5 The Drive, imaging all seven of our stations, and doing whatever else is asked of me.
3. What is the impact of The Drive recent signal change from 104.5 to 100.5?
The Drive was WRRQ HD -2 on 106.7 that was rebroadcasted on the translator 104.5. The signal wasn't very powerful but still covered a good portion of Binghamton and Broome County. I believe the impact will be the bigger signal and how much more of our area we can now reach, including parts of Susquehanna County, and parts of PA.
4. Why did The Drive decide to adopt the WDRE call letters when the station moved signals?
From my perspective the call letters WDRE were available and they matched the letters of our station 100.5 The Drive. I believe the genius of our GM/ Owner knew the call letters from his days of working in Philadelphia, and knew the importance of adopting such powerful call letters.
5. What is the coverage area in Binghamton of 100.5 The Drive?
100.5 The Drive is a Class A that covers all of Broome County NY, parts of Tioga County NY, parts of Susquehanna County PA, and parts of Bradford County PA. Our fringe signal reaches as far as Norwich, Cortland, Ithaca, Delhi, and Oneonta. We are now reaching College towns, and growing communities that were never possible on 104.5, our former main frequency.
6. Why is the station positioned as a Alternative/Triple A hybrid?
100.5 The Drive is positioned as a Alternative/Triple A hybrid because of our music selection, and what we felt was missing in Binghamton radio. There wasn't a station in Binghamton playing great '90s/Modern Alternative music. Mixed with Indie Rock, Folk Rock, and throw in some Beastie Boys, and some Bob Marley on the occasion and you're listening to what we call "Binghamton's Alternative and Indie Rock 100.5 The Drive."
I think it's our blend of DMB, Avett Brothers, Mumford and Sons, Frank Turner, Jack Johnson, Of Monsters and Men, and The Lumineers that give us a more modern Triple A feel. Our library consists of Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Alice and Chains, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Sublime, 311, Weezer, Goo Goo Dolls, Smashing Pumpkins, Death Cab for Cutie, and so much more.
7. How aggressive is the Drive with new music?
Our Current library is fluent, adding and moving new music every 15-30 days. In our market I feel we are usually first to play a majority of the new music. Bands ranging from Imagine Dragons, Mumford and sons, Fun., Kings of Leon, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and Lorde. I'm proud that we play music by, Frank Turner, Unlikely Candidates, Franz Ferdinand, Vampire Weekend, and Phoenix. That is what separates us from the other stations in our market.
8. What would surprise people most about the station?
Most people are surprised to find out that most of, if not all of the employees at the station live, and grew up right here in Binghamton, NY. As a Broadcasting Group we bring radio, local business, and our community together. Our promotions, and sales staff, along with the rest of the staff, work to provide successful events year after year for our community.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Coffee! Extra cream and extra sugar, please.
10. What would surprise people most about you?
I'm a musician. I grew up playing guitar, bass guitar, and singing. I've been in more bands, played in more dingy bars, and basements than I can remember since the age of 15. I'm also a Vegetarian.
Bonus Questions
Last non-industry job?
Full-time pizza dude. Worked at a popular food chain for too many years. Part-time Live Sound for a few bars in Binghamton, NY. Also worked for the Community College running the Audio Engineering labs.
First record ever purchased?
Probably something awful like "Appetite for Destruction" when I was 7 years old. Green Day "Kerplunk" is a record I find myself having to purchase throughout the years. I think I still have "Kerplunk" on Cassette.
First concert?
Beach Boys with my parents when I was young. First concert that changed my perspective on music was Green Day Insomniac Tour at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena back in 1996.
Favorite band of all-time?
Too many great bands to choose from. A few of my favorite bands are Weezer, Green Day, Saves the Day, NOFX, and some older bands all the way from the Beach Boys to Yes.
-
-