10 Questions with ... Ally Reid

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Got my start as an intern in high school at FLY92.3. Worked my way up as a part-timer while attending Siena College and took over middays on FLY92.3 after graduating. Was given the awesome opportunity to head to 93.3 FLZ in Tampa as Middays/Music Director, had such an amazing time there. Headed back to Albany to work at WRGB (TV) and continued in radio via voicetracking at various iHeart stations. Took over as PD of 104.9 The Cat (Country) in 2010, and then joined FLY92.3 again as PD in 2012. Also oversaw 104.9 The Peak (AAA) until it flipped to Sports. Now I'm overseeing ALT 104.9 in addition to FLY92.3!

1. How did you become interested in radio? You also spent some time in TV. Tell us about that.

I was always fascinated with radio but had no idea how to get into the game. One day I just called up FLY92.3 trying to get an internship in high school and I've been hooked ever since. Working in television was a great experience, I was a producer in the Creative Services department and loved working with the news department and learned so much about editing, but I knew I wanted to be back in radio fulltime. To be able to work in my hometown at the company that gave me my start is fantastic.

2. What led to WINU flipping from Sports to Alternative last month?

We weren't seeing WINU performing at the level we'd hoped as a Sports station. We had been discussing flipping to Alternative for a while as we saw a need for the station we envisioned, and ultimately launched, in the Albany market, and on March 16 we made the switch to ALT 104.9!

3. Give us the 411 on ALT 104.9 Albany's New Alternative.

Music is the main focus right now. LOTS. OF. GREAT. MUSIC.

4. With multiple choices for Alternative music in Albany, what will surprise most about ALT 104.9?

Yes ALT 104.9 is one of THREE Alternatives in the Albany market right now, but each one really does have their own distinct sound. With ALT 104.9 we're being very aggressive with new music discovery and you'll hear some AAA influences occasionally. Our currents have a high spin count and there are a lot of them. Send me your music! J

5. What is a typical day like for you programming Top 40 FLY 92.3 and ALT 104.9?

Every day is a different mix of calls with reps, meetings, staff meetings, strategizing for each station, plenty of time with Selector, tweaking imaging, writing, and I also do afternoons on FLY92.3. So every day is different, but the constant is that I'm always busy!

6. How would you describe your programming style?

Passionate. My hands are on everything, music, imaging, contesting, and events. Every programmer wears multiple hats, I'm no different. I really try to personify every radio station I handle and care for it almost like a child, radio is the most personal medium, and I want to ensure that the listener's experience is the best.

7. What is it like working for Albany Broadcasting?

Albany Broadcasting is locally owned and operated; it's incredibly refreshing to have complete control over the stations I oversee. There are six stations in our building and all of the teams work incredibly well together. We've literally been playing a game of tag in the building with all the other stations...we have a lot of fun.

8. Who else is on the ALT 104.9 team and how are you getting the word out about the station?

Right now it's myself and our awesome Imaging Director Scott Pank! We're doing cross promoting on our stations and teaming up with local groups and media outlets to get the word out about ALT 104.9.

9. What would surprise people most about you?

I've been in radio for 20 years. It's gone by FAST but it's been a fantastic ride.

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

Lavender pills, they keep me calm.

Tell us about your obsession with sparkles.

Ha! I did used to have an obsession with sparkles, I would bedazzle everything from iphones to headphones and mics, but I retired from sparkling a few years ago.

What are your hobbies?

Soap-making. Cue the Fight Club jokes. Seriously though, I love to make soap, I have about 2 tons of soap I've made. I usually donate the loaves I've made, but if you want some soap, hit me up. I got you! I don't sell it I just make it and give it away.

What are weekends like for you?

I have a 16 year old son who's very involved in sports so it's usually driving him somewhere for a game or practice, lots of time listening to music. Spending time with my family on the weekend is very important. At some point during the weekend I always end up at the stations.

First record ever purchased?

I can't remember the first one I purchased, I'm confident it was something like New Kids On The Block. I always had a pretty eclectic collection of music. I could easily go from listening to Rancid, to Spice Girls, to Beck, to Snoop to Conehead Buddha

First concert?

Dave Matthews Band

Anything else you would like to add?

Thanks to everyone who's been so welcoming and in contact with me regarding ALT 104.9!