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10 Questions with ... Matt Lee
March 4, 2008
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NAME:Matt LeeTITLE:MD/afternoonsSTATION:WARQMARKET:Columbia, SCCOMPANY:Innercity BroadcastingBORN:Honolulu, HawaiiRAISED:Washington DC Metro, Northern VA
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Did some college radio, got a job at a Top 40 station, snagged a weekend shift, eventually became a swing jock, the PD that believed in me moved on. His replacement (who shall remain nameless) told me that I had no talent and I'd never amount to anything in radio. I think he's actually out of the biz now. Anyhow, I transferred to a rock station within the company. Moved my way into programming and ended up down in SC at WARQ.
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Schlepping food and beer to unappreciative, non-tipping a-holes.
1. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
As a YOUNG kid, I had to sneak listens to Howard locally on DC101. When the parents were around it was Don and Mike on WAVA "The Morning Zoo."
Being the headbanger that I was, I abandoned radio as a whole for many years until WHFS came about. This led to my interest in doing radio as a career.
2. What would surprise people most to about you?
What people? I dunno...I'm boring. I suck.
3. What are you most proud of since joining WARQ?
We just had another kickass book...I'm always proud of those.
4. What led to the station's strong Fall '07 Book?
Lots of praying. To tell you the truth, I'm not exactly sure. Dave Stewart and I have been on a fairly steady path as far as the direction the station takes. I guess the time investment paid off. Plus, we are most likely the most street-active station in the market. Or maybe it's because we have more than two people working in the building. Whatever the reason, I'll take it!
5. How would you describe the music and imaging on Rock 93.5?
I just re-imaged it completely last month. I just try to keep it entertaining and "with the times." Lots of drops and crazy SFX. Simpsons and South Park drops don't make a good sweeper anymore. Our voice guy, Jude Corbett does INCREDIBLE outtakes as well. He's a hell of a lot funnier than I am. I appreciate his innovation. He can take an idea that I have, read the line back and it turns out completely different, and better than how I envisioned it.
6. What makes the station unique?
These days, to have a station that is actually LIVE most of the time is pretty unique. Plus, I think we all genuinely like each other and work well as a team.
Musically, we are not afraid to play a song simply because we think our listeners will like it. What a concept! Since being here, I think I have seen, through research, the sound that Rock 93.5 listeners like. For example, our #1 song of 2006 was Theory Of A Deadman's "Santa Monica." People flipped out over that song and it didn't get a whole lot of love nationally. On the flip side, we won't play a turd just because everyone other station in the country is.
7. What would an outsider find most surprising about the Columbia market?
I think that most people would see that that the Southeast as a whole is not as backwards as they think. Don't get me wrong, we still have our fair share of narrow-minded rednecks, but not too many within the city limits. Not to mention the fact that I've seen plenty of them up North too. Columbia's great. You can get excellent cuisine and fine wine or the best damn BBQ, Fried Chicken or Boiled Peanuts within a block of each other.
Plus SEC football rules and everyone knows it.
8. What is the station's biggest event and what makes it successful?
It would have to be the annual St Pat's in 5 Points festival. WARQ, along with our sister station WMFX host the main stage. I think it's the 4th largest in the country. I'm not gonna try to shine this one. What makes it special are killer bands all day, great food, and 35,000 drunken people walking the streets. THAT is a great event in my book.
9. What is the story on this local band Villanova that has been blowing up your phone lines?
These guys have actually been around for a few years. They pack venues in Columbia and they tour all throughout the southeast. Finally they now have music recorded that the rest of the world can hear. They just have a sound that is so unique -- from hard rockers, to danceable funk, to tear-jerking ballads -- all with EXCELLENT lyrics. It's a fusion of so many sounds, from band members of different backgrounds, which make it hard to describe. I actually approached them. They didn't come to me. I encourage everyone to take a listen to the music and see what I mean either on Mediabase or www.myspace.com/villanovabandsc. You'll see...These guys should go national.
10. What music do you listen to when you are away from the station?
If you only saw my iPod, I'd be laughed out of the industry.
I like everything from Michael Buble to Lamb Of God. It's true, ask my boss.
Bonus Questions
Who are your favorite sports teams?
I am a football junkie. Professionally, I LOVE the Dallas Cowboys and the Jacksonville Jaguars. As far as college, East Carolina and South Carolina -- the Alma matter and the home team.
Plus I enjoy a Washington Wizards and Caps victory.
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