10 Questions with ... Will Althoff

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

WQXA/Harrisburg, WQCM/Hagerstown, WIOD/Miami, KNX/Los Angeles, and WSFS/Miami.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I remember my family riding our bikes on the Atlantic City boardwalk and there was a station with a booth right there on the beach. It fascinated me. Growing up in Philly, my dad was a huge Howard Stern fan and I grew up listening to him. My high school had a radio station (WHHS) and after signing up freshman year, I never looked back.

2. What led you to the MD/PM-drive position on 104.3 The Shark?

I was doing afternoons on WQCM when I moved to South Florida about a decade ago. My wife Libby Kay (a traffic reporter) got offered a job. I bounced around after the move and at one point was having discussions with John O'Connell (my current PD) about doing some work at the Buzz in West Palm Beach, but the timing just wasn't right. About a year ago I was doing some part time stuff for Entercom's Miami cluster and when the position became available, John and I finally had the chance to work together.

3. How would you describe your afternoon show and on-air style?

I like to think that listeners are my co-host. I try to involve them as much as possible. As for style, I like to have fun. Most breaks, you won't hear me talk about a particular band or song, but instead mentioning Australia's Mullet Festival and sending people to our station Facebook page to see a picture of a killer mullet I once had. I don't take myself too seriously and don't expect our listeners to either.

4. How do you prepare for your weekly music meeting each Tuesday?

I try to listen to as much music as I can and follow the charts constantly. I'd also consider myself an Alt Nation P1 and try to catch the Alt 8 and Advanced Placement every week. I really enjoy going through our research as well to see what is working with our audience and what isn't. John and I talk about music every day when either of us hears something. Once we get to Tuesday we have some ideas about what our moves will be.

5. What is your favorite part of your job?

Being on the radio in a format like this has been something I've been wanting/working to do as a career since I was about 8 years old. That being said, I love the MD responsibilities of my job. Hearing new music all the time, having conversations about it with people in the industry, meeting bands and getting to know artists ... it's all been awesome.

6. What is a typical workday like for you?

I usually get in around 10a and sit with John for a few minutes to discuss what off-air things we need to get done. Once I get to my desk, I'm answering emails all day while I schedule logs and listen to music. I find myself in the studio talking with our midday host Deena Lang to break things up or in John's office. Some fun social media posts and on-air content has happened as a result. Once 3p hits, I focus on my show and if I have more desk work to do, I leave it until I'm off-air at 7p.

7. I'm sure people are surprised to learn about your acting career.

Tell us about Will The Actor. HA! Well after I resigned from my job at KNX in Los Angeles, I wanted to take advantage of where I was. So I signed up with Central Casting (honestly, it's a real place) and started getting myself booked doing background. It actually blossomed into a lot of appearances on shows like Drunk History, Shameless and New Girl. Being on set out there just had an awesome vibe and I loved every minute of it. I wish there were more opportunities here in Florida.

8. What else would surprise people most about you?

I'm related to Jennifer Aniston through a cousin. Sadly, she doesn't know her ninth cousin through marriage is a radio host in Miami. .

9. What do you like best about living in South Florida?

I don't care what anyone says, there is no better weather in this country than here in South Florida. Also, my grandparents, who I spent a lot of time with growing up, are snowbirds and live down here half the year. It's cool to see my 1-year-old son with them.

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

Email/Text messages. If I don't hear from people I feel like I'm out of the loop. I've never lost a cell phone because it is stuck to me like an appendage.

What are weekends like for you with your wife and your son?

I like to try and give my wife the mornings to relax. I take my boy to the park, out for breakfast or to see his great-great grandparents. Guy time. When we're all together we hit the pool or beach. Remember what I was saying about that SFL weather?

What are your hobbies?

I love to fish. I also do a lot of cooking and brew beer.

Tell us about your time in Los Angeles.

I moved to LA after accepting a job as a reporter and realized quickly that I was in over my head. I had been a reporter for a few years in Miami, but always wanted to get back to music. Three months into the gig I resigned and a week later my wife found out she was pregnant. She was also out of work. It was an interesting time, but we rolled with it and had so many cool experiences. I did the acting thing, we appeared and won money on Celebrity Name Game, I randomly ran into and gave Anthony Kiedis gas money and then my son was born. It was an awesome year.

First record ever purchased?

Guns N Roses - Appetite For Destruction.

First concert?

Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge tour at the Vet in Philly.

Favorite band of all-time?

Guns N Roses. I was lucky enough to be living in L.A. and waited in line overnight for tickets to their secret April Fool's Day show at the Troubadour, the first show Axl, Slash, and Duff played together in more than 20 years. Best $10 ticket I ever purchased!