10 Questions with ... Joe DeTomaso

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I'm heading into my 15th year of working in radio. I started as a promotions intern, was hired on part time as a promotion tech and eventually hired full time in promotions. I was asked by the APD at the time if I would voice track a weekend shift on 95X, which lead to me doing overnights, then nights and eventually leaving promotions, becoming APD of 95x and then PD.

1. How did you first become interested in radio growing up in Syracuse?

It was stemmed from my love of music, which started with my father. He played drums when he was younger and always had a love of music, which rubbed off on me. I grew up listening to his old records, which introduced me bands like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Chicago, the Doobie Brothers and a bunch of other bands. I was one of those kids who would take blank tapes and record hours worth of songs off the radio. I just loved music and still do.

2. Your bio states you started in radio by mistake after applying for an intern in 2003 at 95X. Explain. What stands out the most from 15 years ago and when did you realize radio going to be your career path?

Well, I was in college at the time studying electric bass and I came across a flyer for an internship with our cluster of radio stations. I was always a 95x fan, so I thought why not give it shot. I played in bands and loved music, so radio was appealing to me. The rest as they say is history. There are a lot of things that stand out for me over the years, but I think hearing myself on the radio for the first time was what I remember most. First of all, I hated how I sounded and it took me years to get used to hearing myself but at the same time it was pretty exciting. Getting into programming is what really made me realize radio was what I wanted to do. Promotions was fun, but programming is what really pulled me in. It provided me an opportunity to be involved with something I'm very passionate about and that's music.

3. What is your favorite part of your job?

Music discovery. I love finding new music and then getting to be a part of bringing that music to everyone else. It's exciting to see a young band you really liked and took a chance on hit it big. That's really what it's all about.

4. How you describe yourself as a programmer?

Well, as I stated I'm a music lover. I'm a big research guy, but I'm also willing to take chances too and go off my gut. I try and lead by example with my staff. I'm very hands on. I'm not one of those guys who just sits back and delegates. I'm right in the trenches with everyone else. Respect is earned and not something that just comes along with a title. The best way to earn your staffs respect is to be in with them every day, leading the charge.

5. How about Joe D., the voice of the workforce?

I'm married, have two kids and my life really revolves around family and work. I'm a musician as well. I've played bass for over 25 years in bands, toured for a while and had a lot of fun doing it. I'm also a gamer, but with two kids I don't get to play as much as I would like to. I love horror movies and I what little time I do watch TV, it's usually something on the History channel. Anything from Ancient Aliens to the Curse of Oak Island. I love that kind of stuff. I tend to incorporate all of this into what I do on air. I'm a big believer in just being yourself and being honest with the listeners.

6. 95X is turning 40 this year. Give us the 411 on 95X, including The Drop and other special programming.

95X is the most heritage rock station in the market. It's been everything from classic rock, to mainstream rock to active rock and now of course Alternative. We start the day off with our morning show, The Morning Mess with Marty and Shannon. I host middays, Dixon is our PM drive guy and B.O.B handles nights with Matt Pinfield and 2 Hours finishing the day up. The Drop is our new music feature that airs daily at 9p. It's a way for us to test new music and get some feedback from the listeners. We're big supporters of our local music scene. Dixon hosts a 2 hour local music show on Sunday nights called Locals Only. He also does a daily feature called the Locals Only Spotlight. We have a show on Sunday nights called The Fringe, which mostly a new music show. It's another way of testing new music and seeing what our listeners are into. That airs Sunday nights from 9-10p.

7. What has the past year been like shifting from Active Rock to Alternative?

It's been a lot of hard work not only for me, but for my staff. We've come along way in a short period of time, but we still have some work to do. Not only are we the only Alternative station in the market, but we're the first alternative station this market has had in over 20 years. Some of the old listeners were upset about the change, but the vast majority of feedback has been great. A lot of people are really excited about finally having an alternative station in Syracuse!

8. What are you most proud of from 2017?

With how far we've come since the format switch. It's been a lot of hard work and sleepless nights, but worth every minute of it. 2017 was one of the most exhausting years both mentally and physically of my entire career, but it was by far and away the most rewarding year too.

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

Tea. I'm a tea junky! I like iced and hot and need to have it daily.

10. What would surprise people most about you?

Probably that I was super shy as kid. So much so that I was voted Class Quiet my senior year of high school. I obviously grew out of that.

Tell us about your band.

I play in a cover band with Dixon called Dome. We all have bald heads, which is where the name comes from. We play mostly stuff that other bands don't such as Clutch, Primus, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Beastie Boys. It's fun and keeps me playing music

What are weekends like for you with your wife and two kids?

It depends on the time of year. My daughter is into sports and dance, so in the warmer months we stay pretty busy with that. This time of year, we just kind of lay low and spend time together. I work a lot during the week, so the weekends are my chance to play with them and spend time together.

How does it feel to be turning 40 this year?

It feels kind of weird. As a kid I always looked at 40 as being "old", but I don't feel old. Turning 30 was a lot harder for me than 40 for some reason. I still have a couple of months before I get there, so we'll see if anything changes.

First record ever purchased?

Hmm, that's a tough one. I think it was Metallica "Master Of Puppets".

First concert?

Cheap Trick and Foreigner. Cheap Trick was awesome, but Foreigner wasn't really my thing.

Favorite band of all-time?

That's something that's changed over the years as my musical tastes have changed. Metallica was a big early influence on me, but right now it's probably Silversun Pickups. I finally got to see them for the first time live this past summer and they were amazing!