10 Questions with ... Tamo

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Got my first official stripes at WROX/Norfolk. After four years in Norfolk, I hopped over to Austin to work on KROX & KGSR. (NOTE: Lynn Barstow thought I was kidding when I met him during R&R and asked if I could be on-air for him. Little did he know, I'd drive down four days later to work with him for over two years.)

I wanted to get in the CHR world, so I went to the legendary KCLD. They were notorious for farming good talent, and gave me the opportunity to be MD/Night Goddess Extraordinaire.

Now, I have the opportunity to work in my home state doing PM Drive on WRXL & mid-days on WMOV, and have even expanded into other markets like Philly!

1. What do you love most about working at XL 102?

It's FUN! From the music to the imaging, we are alive and upbeat! Our writing is smart and sarcastic and very Richmond-centric, and it motivates me to keep a high standard when I'm on the air. I have to be better and funnier than our freakin' imaging!

2. Tell us about what makes your afternoon show unique and how you develop relationships with your audience.

I feel an intense sense of responsibility to my listeners, so I make sure EVERY break has content. That's unique. No BS, "that was, this is" stuff and I try to keep a good balance in the content. I develop relationships with my audience by putting myself in their shoes. Are they leaving a job they hate? Are they on a joy ride around Richmond soaking in the nice day? How can I cut through happiness, frustration, and indifference? I make them laugh, tell them something they didn't know about an artist, let them know about the $1 tacos down the street, or say something super relate-able like "I want to help your girlfriend's pyramid scheme because I love getting invited to her LuLaRoe page on Facebook. Win $1,000 of Alternative Income in 4 minutes."

3. How would you describe yourself on-air?

I'm like Facebook for people at work. I over-share about my personal life, bitch about other people bitching, provide motivational quotes, and tell you useless news that you actually like knowing. Like, did you know Duncan Hines just released a line of single-serve baking mixes? Not sure if it also gets you a discount on your Match.com membership. Lemme check.

4. How do you make your show unique on each station?

I stalk the local publications and news anchors of every market I'm in, which helps to keep things super local even in markets I track. For WMOV, I'm talking to women so I just treat it like I'm hosting a GNO and I focus on food, fitness, relationships, celebrities, local news, and my ever-failing attempts to quit Taco Bell. I'll take that same content over to WRXL many times, but it's a different approach because if you're a man and you own a cat you should be publicly shamed on the radio.

5. After working with Fletcher for so many years, what is it like working for DZL?

Working with Fletcher was truly a unique situation, because from day 1 there was always this creative, personal & professional synergy. We speak the same language and our goals within iHeart complement each other. He's a killer programmer and visionary, which has helped me be a better talent.

Just before I was going to kill him for announcing his new opportunity in St. Louis, I screamed, "FINE! BUT ONLY IF DZL COMES TO BE MY NEW PERSON!" That's actually a true story. I'm still getting to know DZL, but I can tell you that what makes him unique off the bat is that he cares, a lot. He's going to take good care of WRXL and I'm excited to grow and transition together.

6. What is your favorite part of your job?

Being on the air. It's cliché, but man do I love it. Having a good show and talking to my listeners makes the guilt I feel every morning when I leave my sweet pup, Emma, worth it.

7. How would you describe yourself as a music director?

I'm the listener. I'm not a music snob or elitist nerd, AT ALL. Good music is good music, and I don't subscribe to any philosophy that keeps good music off the radio because "it's too pop." I think Alt stations should be pop station with guitars. Get into it.

8. What are music meetings like at the station?

DZL and I are still finding our rhythm and learning each other's music/programming style. I'll get back to you on this in a couple of months.

9. Take us through a typical workday.

I get here in the morning, prep for WMOV, track, blog, meet with DZL to get my daily tasks from him, schedule music, talk to my label peeps, prep for WRXL and host an afternoon show till 7. The gaps are filled with meetings and asking DZL if he thinks my jokes are funny.

10. What are you most passionate about?

I'm at this place in my life where I'm most passionate about trying to connect with others on a real level. I feel like too many people act like they have it together. It's a total lie. On my best days I'm just trying to keep my dog alive and make sure my Man friend doesn't hate me. My listeners deserve to know that and I share it with them through laughter. The bad stuff doesn't have to be all dark and depressing because it's just life. Let's laugh and relate to one another. That's the feel good stuff.

You love to cook. What Tamo Special would you like to share?

This is the hardest question of them all. I'm just going to go with what I eat many days of the week: tuna tartare

Dice up super fresh tuna mixed with only the best (s/o to Ina) sesame oil, tamari, ginger, wasabi, rice wine vinegar, and green onion. Throw that over some avocado or seaweed salad and it's delicious!

What are your favorite things to do during your spare time on the weekends?

Cook, workout, pet my dog, hike, and go to the beach. Also, vodka.