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10 Questions with ... Matthew Gardner
January 22, 2008
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NAME:Matthew GardnerTITLE:APD/MD & Creative Services Dir. CC/BangorSTATION:WFZXMARKET:Bangor, MECOMPANY:Clear Channel RadioBORN:East Machias, MaineRAISED:East Machias, Maine
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started working for Clear Channel Bangor in 2001 --Board-Op, APD, and finally in the Creative Services Department. Left in '03 for 95 Triple X in Burlington, Vermont. Returned back home as the Creative Services Director for Clear Channel Radio Bangor. Got my APD stripes in August '07.
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
I have one right now, I work at Fed-Ex in the morning. I get up at 2:45a, I might as well have a morning show! I've given my wife the opportunity to stay home with our kids while I work.
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Beastie Boys "License To Ill"
FIRST CONCERT:
First ticket I bought was for Bob Dylan, Bangor Auditorium 1997
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
Sublime
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I was in a program in High School called Upward Bound. So I spent six weeks of my summer on Bowdoin College's campus. I didn't really like a whole lot of people there, but I found salvation at their radio station which we were allowed to volunteer at. But it wasn't until I went to work for Ben Hamilton at 95 Triple X in Burlington, Vermont that I got really into it. The man's passion is contagious. Working with him, Pete Belair and Seth Hughes changed my whole outlook on this game.
2. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
Magic 95-7, I was a huge oldies fan. Plus, Kiss 94.5 which is now one of the stations I work for.
3. Why did The Fox decide to start playing Alternative music?
I pushed really hard for it. We were getting tons of requests for bands like Blue October, Fall Out Boy, Plain White T's and others all summer. So when Fall rolled around we decided to take things in a new direction. We're not really an Alternative station, as much as we are a Rock station that plays a lot of Alternative Gold and new stuff. It fits us, and the market perfectly.
4. How would you describe the music and imaging on The Fox?
I'm usually spinning the top 30 records, and we play a lot of the great music from the grunge era. Our core artists are Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, White Stripes and Green Day. Plus, whatever is hot. As for our imaging, pretty basic. I'm a big fan of keeping it simple. Most of it revolves around our morning show. We position ourselves as "Your Rock Station" and we try real hard to live up to it.
5. What would an outsider find most surprising about the Bangor market?
How saturated it is. I think you can pick up like 22 different stations. That's crazy for a market this size. And we have some really surprising talent in the area too.
6. What part of your job do you like best? Least?
I love talking radio with people who get it. As for the least, I'm rather intolerant of new sales people. But I'm getting better.
7. What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
Nothing really, I'm quite an open book. As for people who don't know me, they probably wouldn't believe what a family guy I am.
8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
I can't make it through the day without spending time with my wife, brand new baby boy, and wrestling with my step-son. I'm also a big fan of coffee and diet coke.
9. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
It's the little things that matter. My old boss Jeff Pierce is the master of attention to detail. I learned a lot from him. I probably should have learned more.
10. What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I always had a passion for writing, so perhaps something in that area. I originally went to college for Sociology & English. So I think I could've ended up as a teacher.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
I'm a Dad, so it's diapers, bottles and baths with my son Daniel (born December 1, 2007). My step-son and I do a lot together too. I've been teaching him all about baseball video games and the joy of peeing outdoors. When they finally go to bed, I love spending time with my wife. We laugh a lot.
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