10 Questions with ... Alyssa Boccuzzi

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

October of this year will mark 10 years in the industry for me. Started out doing street team/promotions/producing for Cox Media in Connecticut. Became the floater jock for WPLR and WFOX and tackled nights for Hot AC in Bridgeport. Moved to Atlanta for weekends on-air for WNNX, and soon after became the Production Coordinator for Cumulus ATL's six station cluster. Last July I moved out west for my first full-time on-air gig at Entercom Seattle.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

My Dad used to send our birthdays in to the local News/Talk station and I remember being about 6 or 7 and thinking how cool it was for "that guy" to be able to wish people a Happy Birthday for a living.

2. What led you from Atlanta to Seattle last Summer?

I heard legal weed was a thing there. But really, for my DREAM job. My heart has been set on The End for quite some time and I'm still punching myself every day. Can't believe I actually get to work here.

3. What do you love most about your job?

We have the most enthusiastic and loyal listeners, and I really, really enjoy connecting with them on a daily basis. Also, I work with some creative geniuses, and without knowing, they push me to be the best, and most quirky version of myself.

4. How would you describe yourself on-air?

I'm very positive. It's hard not to be when you get the studio views that we have. It's my job to make the listener who has had a crappy day smile, even if it's a half smile. I'm a goofball who has a genuine love for the music and bands that we play.

5. What sorts of things make your midday show unique?

I get to help break new music discovery/bands to our listeners with our Discover and Download feature. I love that I get to play local bands during middays. We have an incredible local music scene here, as you can imagine.

6. What is your show prep routine?

I usually hit the social media webs to see what's trending, I have a few sites I like to scroll through for local content, and I always check our own website, too, because we create a lot of solid content ourselves.

7. What's it like working for Leslie Scott?

Leslie pulled me out of a stack of talent and gave me a shot. She is a leader who knows how to coach talent to set them up for success. She challenges me creatively, and gives me the total freedom to be the authentic weirdo that I am on-air. So to sum up, it is pretty damn awesome to have Leslie as my PD.

8. Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?

Michelle on WLUM in Milwaukee. She is fucking SOLID on the air and years ago, gave me one of the best air checks I have ever received. I reached out to her and within 24 hours, she listened and critiqued each break and taught me a ton just in that one email. I'll never forget it.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ________?

COFFEE.

10. What may surprise people most to learn about you?

I danced for 9 years. Jazz, Tap. All of it, and had dreams of being a Rockette (even though my legs would never kick that high)

Tell us about your cute dog.

Ha-ha! Stevie Nix. She is a 2 year old Basenji mix I adopted in GA and is my best buddy. Seriously. I don't think I could have moved across the country without her. She loves hiking and is enjoying exploring the PNW with me :)

What are your hobbies?

Besides talking radio? I love to hike, stroll through the woods with Nix, hit up beer tastings, shoot hoops, wander through record stores, try new activities like snow shoeing, and of course, CONCERTS!

Last non-industry job?

I did telemarketing for an Accessory/Fashion Trade Show that bored me to death. The money was good, though.

First record ever purchased?

Simon & Garfunkel's Bookends. Because, ya know, it's poetry of drugs and promiscuous sex and they're all on pot, according to Elaine Miller. ;)

First concert?

TLC - FanMail Tour in Boston when I was in 8th grade.

Favorite band of all-time?

Led Zeppelin. I have the tats and all the vinyl records to prove it.