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10 Questions with ... Alicia Tyler
September 16, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I did my first two years in small towns in Vermont at WORK and WEXP. Then WPXY in Rochester, KOSO in Modesto, KLLC in San Francisco, KKDO in Sacramento, KLCK in Seattle, and now back home to program WZNE.
1. What stands out the most from your first job in radio?
I remember then thinking that voicetracking was a really cool new element. At the time I didn't realize what was to come.
2. What led you back home to Rochester?
My station in Seattle had flipped formats from Alternative to Hot AC. Although I was one of the "lucky ones" my position became something that I wasn't passionate about.
3. What do you love most about your job?
I love guiding new talent. Listening to my weekenders and hearing the improvement is truly amazing.
4. How has The Zone changed since you took over as PD?
I took it more mainstream alternative. I dropped the deep cuts and cut the library down. I'm also working to make it more female friendly. It's still a rock station but I don't let my jocks say things like "What's up bitches and boys" anymore.
5. How would you describe yourself as a programmer?
I have always made the music my #1 priority. I still manually insert my music and spend a great amount of time making it sound right. In terms of being a manager I really put myself in my staff's shoes. My station can't be great without a great staff. So I always go above and beyond to be there for them. Respecting their position and encouraging them is my #2 priority!
6. What is most important to you when deciding on what new music to champion for The Zone?
It's finding the right balance of pop-alt and rock-alt. We don't have an active rock station in Rochester, NY so it's a fine line to balance. We get as many requests for Godsmack as we do for Bleachers.
7. What are you most proud of from your first BONZAI station concert?
The concert-goers responses on social networking were perfect. Everybody was happy and that's the best.
8. How do you use Social Media?
We do use social media to plug our promotions but we always make it a point to put up entertaining content. I think social networking fatigue is a real problem today.
9. What would surprise people most about you?
I'm only half Italian. My mom is English and Irish.
10. What are you most passionate about?
I'm most passionate about making my station sound like a major market station. I'm never going to stop trying to make it sound better and be better.
Bonus Questions
What was your favorite station to listen to growing up in Rochester and what do you remember most?
I remember when The Nerve went on the air when grunge was at its height. My friends and I would listen all night long from our dorm rooms on the SUNY Brockport campus and non-stop in the car. Alternative rock didn't exist in Rochester until then and it really changed everything. MTV was playing Madonna, Tupac, and Nirvana. It was a great time to be alive.
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