10 Questions with ... Lauren O'Neil

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

It all started with an internship at WRUF in Gainesville FL while attending the University of Florida. I worked my way through the ranks at Rock 104 under Harry Guscott. After graduating, I landed my dream job at the station I grew up listening to, 98 Rock, under Brad Hardin and Brian Medlin, then James Howard and Mike Killabrew. After 7 years the worst thing I could imagine happened, my "position was eliminated." However, it turned into the best thing that ever happened because it brought me to the greatest city on the planet to launch Q87.7 with an amazing group of people including Jim Richards, PJ Kling, Mark Chase, Walter Flakus and Lou Lombardo among others that evolved into 101WKQX!

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I had a revelation in college while majoring in PR and minoring in dance that music was the driving force behind everything I was passionate about. Rock 104 put on a weekly concert series at the bar I worked at, The Purple Porpoise, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

2. You've spent the past six years at 101WKQX and recently signed a new multi-year contact. What do you love most about working at the station?

The amazingly talented people I am surrounded by and the sense of family they created is what drew me here from FL and what has kept me here for six years. I feel very fortunate every day I get to look out on Lake Michigan and turn my mic on.

3. What is a typical workday like for you?

Every day is a new and exciting adventure! My show is on the air 10a to 3p Monday through Saturday during which I am answering calls, emails, texts, facebook, instagram, snapchat and twitter messages, creating content for our website and social media platforms, production and voiceover work, hosting longform interviews and concerts in our performance space, generating leads for our sales department, researching and show prepping constantly, taking lots of in studio dance party breaks, capturing and editing artist liners and voice tracking a show on X105.1 in Kansas City! I also host a couple specialty shows: 'XX1051,' celebrating kickass women in alternative music that airs every Sunday night at 9 on 105.1 in Kansas City and 'From The Lounge,' that features all of the intimate performances that have taken place here at the NBC Tower in downtown Chicago that airs every Sunday night at 10 on 101.1.

4. How would you describe your on-air style?

Ridiculous, all-inclusive, topical, fun, observant, informative, music oriented with listener benefit at the forefront. And lots of <3.

5. What do you love most about being on-air?

Connecting with my listeners.

6. What is your show prep routine?

It never stops! I am always looking for not only show prep but also social media content, which can be aligned or totally separate. I am constantly writing notes and thoughts on a google doc, sifting through local and music related newspapers and websites, etc.

7. What is your favorite part of your show?

Feeling a connection to where I am and the people I am talking to.

8. What may surprise people about you?

I love all kinds of music but have a penchant for metal. After having a black thumb my entire life I am currently in my second season as an organic gardener, and have managed not to kill everything yet!

9. Who is your favorite on-air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?

There are way too many to just pick one! I am a huge fan of the legendary Steve Dahl, Brendan Greeley and Dag Juhlin on 890 WLS-AM because they are the perfect counterparts to each other and the show always makes me laugh; Jill Hopkins on 91.1 Vocalo is incredibly smart and fiercely passionate; Brian Sherman and Steve Tingle on 97.1 The Drive are funny and complement each other well; Lyndsey Marie is on a bunch of Cumulus stations and is the quintessential female rock personality who can do 35 things at once; Jesse Kage on Rock 100.5 in Atlanta is my former co-host whom I love dearly, he knows how to build a loyal following by relating to his listeners and living what he preaches; Julia Lepidi on 98.7 Amp Radio Detroit puts the person in personality; Jeff Pantridge, currently on the beach (hire him,) is one of the most knowledgeable people who can masterfully balance sports talk with comedy to retain listeners, even those with little to no sports knowledge; Dinah Powers on the Rod Ryan Show is a strong personality that gives a great counterpoint to her co-host; Tom and Emily on 95.1 WIIL Rock are a great pairing and don't take themselves too seriously with an irreverent show that's real; Mike Calta, Drew Garabo and crews on 102.5 The Bone in Tampa are doing great things on the daily - I could go on...

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

MUSIC.

What are weekends like for you?

Usually enjoying Chicago with my friends and family and friends who have become family and/or at a show.

What are your hobbies?

Going to see live music, gardening, cooking and entertaining, yoga, kitchen dance parties, figuring out fantasy football, reading to my daughter. And scotch.

First record ever purchased?

Some kind of Sesame Street album for my fisher price record player.

First concert?

Chicago, 4th grade

Favorite band of all-time?

Impossible to pick one; but I'll start you a list: Local H, Killswitch Engage, Muse, Rise Against, Lamb of God, Queens Of The Stone Age, Tool, Twenty One Pilots, Helmet, Pantera, Nothing But Thieves, Highly Suspect, Anberlin, Royal Blood, Missio, Deftones, Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, Motorhead, Two Feet, Toadies, Less Than Jake, The Struts, Brick + Mortar, Wolf Alice, Soundgarden, Slayer, We The Fierce, Stabbing Westward, Alice in Chains, Eye Empire, Chevelle, '68, A Perfect Circle, IAMDYNAMITE, AWOLNATION, The Civil Wars, Audioslave, Gary Clark Jr., Bishop Briggs, Jimmy Eat World, Flyleaf, Tori Amos, Beastie Boys, Puscifer, Bjork... I could go on...

Anything else you would like to add?

Yes, I love seeing people in this business with passion and drive, and hope those people continue to multiply <3

Connect with me! thelaurenoneil@gmail.com

@laurenoneil on twitter, tumblr and vero

@thelaurenoneil on facebook, instagram, snapchat, reddit and VSCO