10 Questions with ... Steve Richards

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I caught the bug very early. I started in radio in college at New York Institute Of Technology and practically lived at the station, my first PD gig was launching heritage Triple A WEHM/Long Island. Then APD/MD at WMGK/Philadelphia, PD at WHBQ Memphis, APD/MD at WCSX Detroit, OM at iHeartRadio/Savannah, GA, OM at Digity/Alpha Media/ West Palm Beach, and Operations Manager/Brand Manager Townsquare Media, Albany NY since 2014.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

When I was about 7, grew up listening to arguably one of the best collections of talent in the history of radio in both NYC and on Long Island at stations like 77 WABC, Z100, WNEW, and WLIR on Long Island. Across all the years, I have been blessed to work and learn from some tremendous talent on Long Island as an intern and then later in Philadelphia and Detroit who taught me so much.

2. What led to WQSH flipping to Alternative last month?

We did research and found a hole in this market for an Alternative station.

3. When you launched the press release stated that ALT 105.7 will give music fans in Albany a true alternative through an expertly curated playlist with modern and mainstream alternative music and some classic alternative hits. ALT 105.7 is celebrating the launch by putting the music first. 100% commercial-free. Explain ALT 105.7's music position and target?

Albany's New Alternative targeting Adults 18-49.

4. Give us the 411 on ALT 105.7 Albany's New Alternative.

Simple, be locally focused, play great music, create great experiential events, and be accessible on all platforms.

5. With multiple choices for Alternative music in Albany, what will surprise most about ALT 105.7?

An Albany curated playlist. And our talent Deena Lang in middays, Nick Kessler in afternoons, and more to come.

6. How would you describe your programming style?

Hire great people and empower them to learn, grow and excel. I'm so proud of so many talented young people who have worked for me over the years that have gone on to great success. There is nothing more rewarding than to see that happen. I also learned so much over the years from my mentors, Craig Scott former Market Manager at iHeartRadio, Buzz Knight VP/Programming at Beasley, my current Market President Jake Demmin at Townsquare Media, and working with Fred Jacobs and his team at Jacobs Media. They all taught me and continue to teach me.

7. Who else is on the ALT 105.7 team and how are you getting the word out about the station?

We are spreading the word using many tactics new and old as we develop this Albany curated brand.

8. You have the rock umbrella covered at Townsquare with Rocker WQBK (Q103) and ALT 105.7. How do you keep the two stations separated?

I'm no stranger to having two rock brands in the same house, Detroit and Philadelphia, where we had and they still have tremendous ratings success. Q103 is a Mainstream Rock station, so it's a different audience. We have a terrific morning show Free Beer And Hot Wings on Q103 and a great talent lineup on that brand. ALT is going after a younger audience.

9. What would surprise people most about you?

I started out as a sportscaster and every so often will throw on the headset and call football games. I also host a book feature and have interviewed some of the biggest names in Lit over the last 10 years.

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

Coffee.

What are your hobbies?

Books, travelling, food, and flying.

What are weekends like for you?

Going to concerts, restaurants, reading, working around the house, and spending quality time with my beautiful wife.

First record ever purchased?

Billy Joel "The Stranger" I'm from Long Island so of course.

First concert?

The Cars at Madison Square Garden

Favorite band of all-time?

The Rolling Stones - Led Zeppelin is a close second.