10 Questions with ... Madison

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started out doing overnights at 94.9 WZTA in Miami in the '90s. Then I moved on to Q101 and Rock 103.5 in Chicago. Acting brought me to NYC in 1999. Did that until 2002 when I got an on-air position at a new company called Sirius Satellite Radio!

1. It's been 15 years since you made the move to Satellite Radio. What do you love most about working for SiriusXM?

I love the freedom to be myself and do the show I want to do. I love being able to talk to all of North America! I love my coworkers. I married one.

2. You have previously described your show as dirty, offensive, hilarious, mean and musical. Tell us about how you entertain the masses with your wild, off-beat humor on Alt-Nation.

I'm probably not as mean as I used to be! I love to unleash my moods on the masses. Cranky. Happy. Zany. Miserable. And always musical. The listener signs up to go on a ridiculous ride with me for 6 hours.

3. You love Howard Stern. How has he influenced your on-air approach?

Howard is my idol. Still to this day he finds ways to be innovative and break boundaries. He speaks his mind. He speaks his truth. I always do the same. And he's a listener of mine which is thrilling!

4. What inspired you to have a signature day of the week sing-along greeting for your show?

I think the day of the week song started with me singing happy Friday on an aircheck I made for Howard! He played it on his show in 2006. That was the genesis. Now I can't stop. People need to know the day of the week. And I love to sing.

5. How different is your on-air style on Alt-Nation, Lithium, and First Wave channel?

Alt Nation is an evening show. So I've always felt I could be racier. I always felt it was priority number 1. On first wave, I was a little cleaner. A little safer. The listener is slightly older. Now that I'm on Lithium in the morning, I feel pretty free to act nuts and obnoxious. The listener likes rock. So of course, I have to annoy them with Broadway show tunes!

6. What is your favorite part of being on-air?

Singing! Annoying people! Making them laugh and venting my issues. It's cathartic. (Hahaha)

7. You do an incredible job of showing your passion and selling the music on Alt-Nation. Who are your favorite new artists?

I love Nothing But Thieves. They're a couple years old now. I like Pinegrove. Banners. Declan McKenna. Wild Cub (not new but new stuff coming)

8. Tell us about your massive love for Manchester Orchestra and how they have become like the house band on Alt-Nation?

It all started with me trying to cut Andy Hull's beard. He is one of the funniest humans ever. The nicest, too. He sings like an angel.

9. What were your biggest takeaways from Lollapalooza this year?

Biggest takeaway is that I despise crowds and college kids love to get wasted. The best part for me was seeing Arcade Fire at an after show and standing backstage for The Killers. Amazing.

10. Biggest mistake you've ever made in the studio?

There was probably some dead air in Miami. And one time I did an entire break without turning on the microphone. It was the middle of the night. I might've been intoxicated.

What do you enjoy doing on the weekends?

I like to sleep late. My husband allows it.

What would shock people the most about Madison?

Maybe people would be shocked to know that I'm a super regular mom. I cook lousy dinners. I am always taking out the trash. No one treats me like the celebrity that I am! (Hahaha)