10 Questions with ... Wes Styles

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• WWIZ (Youngstown) 2003-2008
• WXQR (Greenville, NC) 2008-2012
• WQBK (Albany) 2012-2014
• WLCE (Springfield, IL) 2014-2015
• WQLZ (Springfield, IL) 2014-2017
• WZLB (Fort Walton Beach) 2018-Present
• WWAV (Fort Walton Beach) 2018-Present

1. What stands out the most from when you cut your chops in radio back home in Youngtown, Ohio?

Well, radio has certainly changed over the years from top to bottom. The digital age is certainly at top of mind. How do we integrate on social media properly? How can we blog effectively? What content is worth podcasting about? How can I take these elements and make them saleable? New challenges from 1998 when I first got my start to 2018.

2. What led you to Community Broadcasters in Fort Walton Beach to program WZLB (103.1 Blaze) and WWAV (102.1 The Wave)?

The opportunity. The formats. The chance to better my family's lives in the process. It's the first time in my career I had to think about more than myself. I have 2 people depending on me. This company, this cluster presented a great opportunity for me to spread my wings and grow while also providing for my new family. The formats themselves are both ones I've wanted to work in and Community Broadcasters I've heard nothing but good things about so it's a total win. Oh and I mean I have the beach less than 15 minutes (on a good day) from my doorstep.

3. After spending your career in Rock Radio, how does it feel to be working in Alternative Radio and what is your biggest challenge programming WZLB 103.1 The Blaze?

Amazing! Alternative has been flourishing for years and I've been paying attention to the format for some time. To finally have the opportunity to dive in head first and program a format I've listened to passionately is a great feeling. As far as challenges; it's just keeping my "rocker" in check somedays. When you've spent more than a decade programming Active/Mainstream it can be tough to break old habits.

4. Give us the 411 on WZLB.

She's a Rock Alternative that was once an Active Rock. We're changing the perception in the market of what the station was vs what it is now. Musically we're spot on where it needs to be in the Alt world and on-air presentation is coming along nicely. Rome wasn't built in a day. We pride ourselves on not playing what everyone else is in town.

5. How would you describe yourself as a programmer?

Passionate. Hard headed but also the devil's advocate. I will hear all sides before making a call on something. I bust my butt and work until the job is done. I'm one of the hardest working people you may ever meet and willing do to whatever it takes to win. But at the same time, I take the time to care for every member of my team and to make sure they've got what they need.

6. What is your favorite part of your job?

Programming and working through the struggles. When I got in at 14 I just wanted to be on-air but as the years went on I wanted to be the guy making the decisions - pressing schedule on the music program. Now that I am "that guy" it's an adrenaline rush every day. I take great pride in every decision, sales tool, promotion, and imaging element that goes out on the air.

7. Your radio journey has taken you from Springfield, Illinois to Fort Walton Beach. How is life working on the beach and has surprised you most about the area?

Really good. The Styles Fam is enjoying the journey thus far. We spent the first few days here as a mini-vacation. Took my stepson to the beach for the first time, a lifetime highlight for me. We're getting accustomed to the climate change. Ask us again in August when the humidity kicks in though lol.

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

Red Bull. And a lunch time message from my wife. Her humor and daily work updates help to break up my blank staring at a computer screen.

9. What is a typical workday like for you?

Get in early, show prep, hit the studio, meetings (if applicable), schedule music for one or both stations, imaging (station dependent), circle with sales, recap with staff on how their day is/concerns/issues/etc.

10. What would surprise people most about you?

That, according to my wife, I'm severely lacking in my late 80's/early 90's Tom Cruise knowledge. This is because I've never seen Cocktail, Top Gun, or Days Of Thunder. What? I'm a not a huge fan of his. Give me Hot Shots and we can talk.

You recently got married after proposing to your wife at a radio convention. Take us back to that magical day.

Oh the question my wife wishes would die, in a joking manner. I can't thank Steve and Beatrix enough for their help in planning it with me. Was I nervous? Oh Lord yes. The plan was to walk on stage with a couple of shots to toast to the event hosts for several years of the convention and use that as the prop to get my soon-to-be wife on stage and do the proposal. Little did I know I was winning an award that night. If you look back at the video from the night I almost rush through my acceptance speech because I knew what was coming next. The funniest part is I accidentally took the wedding band, not the engagement band to Vegas so she got proposed to with the wrong band. But we jokingly call that the ultimate Wes Styles Edit.

What are weekends like for you?

Relaxing with the family and finding what's there to do around our new home. There's so much to see, do, and find. We live in a tourist destination and we're tourists at this point.

Tell us about your fascination with big band/swing music.

I was raised with my grandmother loving the classics from that era. When the 90's revival happened, it gave a whole new life to my love. I still prefer the songs from the 30's and 40's over modern crooners. It's my daily cool down music on the way home from work or while I'm scheduling music. I love jazz in general. In fact, I just bought a Spain import of Miles Davis with 21 albums on 10 disc. I'm super stoked to dive in to it.

First record ever purchased?

Green Day "Dookie." I bought it at the local Hill's Department store in Youngstown, OH after seeing the Basket Case video on Beavis & Butthead. This was the beginning of my love of Punk Rock. I would use this as my "gateway drug" to Social Distortion, Rancid, Bad Religion, etc.

First concert?

Oasis. Pittsburgh 1998 with Cornershop opening. I still have my VIP laminate from that show. While I didn't get to meet Oasis that night it was a magical night seeing one of my Top 5 All-Time bands.

Favorite band of all-time?

Social Distortion. All-time hands down. I've traveled the most distance to see them than any other band.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Other than "Thank You" for the opportunity for doing 10 Questions. I hope you'll check out my stations and like what you hear.