10 Questions with ... Willobee

NAME:Willobee POSITION:Program Director STATION:WEQX MARKET:Albany, NY (#63) Also Vermont /New Hampshire/Massachusetts COMPANY:Northshire Communications BORN:New York, NY RAISED:Queens, NY

LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:

Graphic and silk screen artist

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Club DJ in NYC at The Electric Circus (my first boss was Jellybean Benitez), Danceteria, Studio 54 and Malibu, Long Island. Early and mid-`80s air talent at Alternative WLIR/Long Island; PD at Active Rock WMJY (Y107)/Monmouth; PD at AAA KCQR/Santa Barbara; PD at Alternative KKDJ (The Edge)/Fresno; 1991 BILLBOARD Small Market Rock Air Personality Of The Year; MD and AM Drive at KEDJ (The Edge)/Phoenix; artist manager at Q Management/LA (Korn, General Public, Phunk Junkeez, Gigantic) and OPM Entertainment/Phoenix and Austin; GM at Two River Canyon Amphitheatre/Austin; air talent at Classic Rock KPEZ,/Austin; and PD at WEFX/ Norwalk.

FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:

(single) Beatles -- Hey Jude; (LP) The Monkees

FIRST CONCERT:

Moody Blues at Queens College

FAVORITE BANDS OF ALL-TIME:

U2, The Alarm, XTC, Elvis Costello, Prince, Depeche Mode, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Weather Report, and Mahavishnu Orchestra

1. How did you first become interested in radio?

When I was a kid my mom taped a transistor radio to my jacket so I wouldn't lose it, it was my first Walkman. I remember being so excited listening to Cousin Brucie and Scott Muni. My cousin and I used to record our own fake radio shows and play them for our families. In high school, I got a parttime job as a janitor/engineer for a small rinky-dink FM in Jersey City.

2. What brings you back to radio?

I'm a masochist. Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in! I was working parttime on-air in Austin just for shits and giggles, and I realized how much I missed being in the saddle.

3. What does Willobee bring to 'EQX?

A brown paper sack. I also bring an education of all sides of the business that I hope to be able to put to use along with a passion for fun radio. Having been away for so long, I hope to bring a fresh approach and to find creative ways to market the brand.

4. WEQX is "Legal" this year. What can we expect from the station's 21st Birthday?

Lots of kegs, hookers, and dessert toppings. No wait, that was Jetson's bachelor party. We plan on celebrating the past, present, and future of the station with a major festival in the fall, a month long on-air retrospective, and a CD collection spotlighting our history.

5. What changes have you made since taking over as PD?

Shit, I just got here dude. OK, some new curtains and a coat of paint. I'm not really making any major changes yet but rather finding ways to kick everything up a notch. I plan on adding some new features; specialty shows, and redesigning the imaging. The staff is awesome and they are all coming up with creative ways to take their game up and overall bring the station to the next level. I am working to build our visibility in the market.

6. WEQX was one of the early stations to stream on-line. How important is it for you to have the station streaming again?

Actually, EQX was one of the first pre-sets on Real Player back in the day. We have been inundated by listeners who have moved away begging us to stream again as well as people at work. We hope to build our at-work listening in areas where we have penetration difficulty.

7. What are you doing to get the station reporting and/or monitoring status again?

Pimping out my night jock. Aside from cheap April Fool's stunting, we are stepping up our promotions, marketing, and streaming to bolster our numbers. However, I think it is important for labels to recognize the importance of this station with or without reporting status in a rapidly evaporating panel. We are a 50,000-watt flamethrower covering close to a 300-mile radius in a four state area and more importantly, EQX sells records! That's the bottom line no matter how you slice it.

8. What is your biggest challenge at the station?

Changing the litterbox. Seriously, this station has an incredible history and legacy. So many talented people have worn these stripes before me and garnered so many accolades specifically "Best Radio Station Of The Year" in Rolling Stone in '93, '95 and '96. The people from EQX are synonymous with the format: Jim McGuinn, Gary Schoenwetter, John Allers, Ian Harrison, and Alexa Tobin.

Those are some really big shoes to fill. The real challenge for me will be keeping EQX viable, relevant and profitable in an unsure climate while maintaining the integrity with which owner Brooks Brown built this station. I feel like the EQX family are the guardians of independent radio and are putting a lot of faith in me as the new gatekeeper.

9. Biggest career highlight?

I would have to say that being part of building an amazing amphitheatre in Austin was one of my biggest accomplishments. Out of the gate we pulled off the Willie Nelson 4th of July Family Picnic. It was a two-day festival with The Dead, Neil Young, Toby Keith, Merle Haggard, Leon Russell, Los Lonely Boys, and about 20 more acts. It was both an incredible learning experience and at the same time very humbling when we were not able to continue our vision. I hope for my time at EQX to top that experience.

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

A happy ending.

What do you enjoy doing for fun?

As a recovering workaholic, I find fun in my job on a daily basis. I spend my spare time with my dog exploring Vermont. I hope to set up a studio to get back into my serigraphy and stained glass. And I am rehearsing to be a contestant on the next season of American Idol.