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10 Questions with ... Wells Adams
November 3, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
In high school I tricked the expensive prep school that had a radio station to let me have a show (91.9 KSPB Radio Stevenson). Graduated with a broadcast Journalism degree from Ole Miss (University of Mississippi). Hosted every day part for 92.1 Rebel Radio. I also wrote for the newspaper and was an anchor for News Watch and other magazine style TV shows. After graduation I moved to Nashville and started working for WRLT (Lightning 100.1). Started out as a board op/weekend jock. Took over nights and promo in 2010. In 2012 I took over afternoon Drive. In 2013 I took over the Morning show. In the summer of 2015 I took a job with iHeartMedia where I do mornings on ALT983 and afternoon drive on 1059The Rock.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I've always been really theatrical. I love acting and doing improv. Radio is just another platform to entertain. I also love music. I realized early on that I wasn't going to be a great musician, so I thought the next best thing would be to play other people music. This is kind a dark....but my favorite movie is "Play Misty For Me." I kind a always wanted to be Dave Garber (Clint Eastwood) without the crazy stalker. If you're reading this and work in radio and don't know what I'm talking about, go watch that movie!
2. After eight years at cross-town Tuned In AAA WRLT (Lightning 100), what excited you most about joining iHeartMedia's ALT 98.3 and 105.9 The Rock?
The opportunity for an even bigger audience. Syndication has always been the goal. I feel that iHeart gives me the best opportunity for that goal to be achieved.
3. What is it like working for Dave Rossi?
He's a programming guru. It's awesome to learn from a guy who can program circles around other stations.
4. How are you juggling APD/MD for both stations and mornings on ALT 98.3 and afternoons on 105.9 The Rock?
Probably not very well. I'm in the studio a lot. But that's where I feel the most comfortable. If someone offered me a third show, I'd take it in a iHeartbeat.
5. Let's shift the focus back to ALT 98.3. What may surprise people most about the station?
Probably that I'm on it. Every day people call in or tweet to me that they are glad they have found me again. That feels nice. Musically, it's rad. I'm really happy with the way it's sounding right now.
6. How would you describe yourself as on-air personality? What is your morning show like on ALT 98.3?
Hmmmm, I've got a lot of energy... I'm really honest and probably a bit neurotic. I like every bit to end with laughter. Being the youngest of 5 kids, I can talk about anything...from the brat pack to six packs, from Johnny Cash to Johnny Knoxville and everything in between. I'd like to think that my demo can span decades and not feel left out.
7. You must be uberactive on social media since your Net News story back in July has been shared a lot on Facebook. How do you use social media?
As a user of social media, I've found that I interact with things the same way listeners do, I don't want to jump through a million hoops. If you can make things easy for people to do, usually they'll do it (if there is a good prize included). For example: If you're doing an insta give, don't make people take a new pic and post it with your hashtag and @ mention. That's a lot of steps. Tell them to find a pic that they've already taken and hashtag it and @ mention it. You've just cut down this process from 6 to 2 steps. (Ex: "It's #NationalDogDay tag @alt983 with your favorite furry friend to win tickets to @BlackKeys" chances are, they've already got a pic of their dog on insta). If you can get people interacting, they'll do the heavy lifting for you. Also, people love pop culture and nostalgia. If you can word it right, those two topics will get you a ton of interaction.
8. What do you like best about living in Music City?
Sitting in small venues and hearing new talent. That and hot chicken.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without __________?
Taking my bloodhound Carl for a run on the greenway.
10. What would surprise people most about you?
I played collegiate rugby at Ole Miss. We were good too, my junior year we were ranked 7th in the country. I've got about 11lbs of aluminum in my right leg.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Playing guitar, Sunday soccer league, acting, and improv.
Last non-industry job?
Waiting tables
First record ever purchased?
CD or vinyl?
- CD: Green Day "Dookie"
- Vinyl: Otis Redding "Otis Blue"
First concert?
Either DMB at Shoreline Amphitheatre, or Jack Johnson at some tiny club in Santa Cruz (He was dating my friends sister at the time, we had to sit on the floor and watch a surf movie he filmed before he started playing) - Both were early in high school.
Favorite band of all-time?
Talking Heads
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