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10 Questions with ... Scotty Hart
February 14, 2006
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NAME:Scotty HartTITLE:President / GM/Senior VP/ProgrammingSTATION:WLIX-LP (Radio X)MARKET:Nassau-Suffolk (#18)COMPANY:Pine Barrens Broadcasting, Inc.BORN:August 1st, 1962RAISED:Smithtown, Long Island, NY
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Always worked in Radio or Television.
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Have always been very happy with my career choices.
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
"Watching Scotty Grow" by Bobby Goldsboro (Yikes!).
FIRST CONCERT:
Styx /Kansas double bill at Jones Beach.
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
Beatles
1. How did you become interested in radio?
Growing up to Musicradio 77 WABC! 'Nough said.
2. How did you start-up WLIX-LP?
Like all interested applicants, I applied for the license in 2000, and after years of MX issues to resolve and other FCC paperwork to be filed, received my Construction Permit in 2005, and began broadcasting on August 15th, 2005.
3. You recently expanded the coverage of RadioX with a second and third signal. What is the impact of each signal?
My original low power station's signal covers eastern Brookhaven township and Western Riverhead township. The Translators increased my signal to include the remaining western half of Brookhaven township, all of Smithtown, Islip, and Babylon townships, and the eastern half of Huntington township! Population potential went from about 100,000 to 1,000,000 with the inclusion of the translators! Nice!
4. How have you marketed the station?
With WLIR selling off its Alternative/New Wave station in Nassau County, and WXRK in New York recently changing to a "FM Talk" format, the choice seemed obvious. We are now Long Island's only "Alternative Rock" outlet.
5. What was the reason behind your slogan "Radio For The Rest Of Us?"
Honestly, I drive up and down the coast on I-95 frequently between Long Island and Florida. In Charleston South Carolina, I heard an AM talk station using the line "Talk Radio For The Rest Of Charleston." They are part of the Air America Network. Anyway, I liked the line so much, I figured why not change a few words around and there ya go! It really simply says we are a radio station for anyone that has been abandoned by the corporate radio machine. Community Radio with an edge!
6. What is your biggest challenge?
Getting the radio audience back! Today's radio has gone so far over the edge with super tight playlists and endless stop-sets; it has driven many people away from the medium. RadioX's challenge is to get the younger audience away from the I-Pods, and the older demos off CDs and Satellite Radio. It's a radio re-build in progress. We are here to also offer true community radio back to a rather large and congested market. No easy task with easily over 100 stations to choose from on the FM and AM dial. Long Island's location is very unique with radio signals not only from Long Island, but New York City, New Jersey, Upstate NY, and Connecticut.
7. What would surprise people most about RadioX?
Our huge playlist! Right now we have over 1300 songs in rotation, and the list continues to grow! We feature predominantly 90's to today, and since we never repeat a song till the list plays through in its entirety, you could easily go four days before any song repeats! As you can imagine, no need for "Selector" here. Just set the PC based playlist in repeat mode and let 'em play. When adding songs, we rely on our ears and listeners when deciding what songs air or don't. We never look at a single chart, nor play that silly "testing" game."
8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ________?
CAFFEINE.
9. Biggest change that you'd like to see in the business?
More diversity in radio station ownership by cutting back the number of stations a single corporation or group can own and operate. And, really listening to your audience. I have found in my travels, many stations do not take their audience very seriously when they offer programming suggestions or song requests. I believe that is an ultimately grave mistake.
10. What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
Probably Meteorologist or Professional Mountain Biker!
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Extreme Sports (Mountain Biking, BMX, MX etc.), Storm Chaser, Electronics, record/CD/DVD collecting.
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