10 Questions with ... DZL

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

WZGC/Atlanta, WKLS/Atlanta, WARQ/Columbia, SC., WPXY/Rochester, WNKS/Rochester, WIBT/Charlotte, WEND/Charlotte, WRXL/Richmond, and back to WEND Charlotte.

1. This month marks the 10-year anniversary of when you first joined The End. Let’s go down memory lane. What stands out the most from when you first started working at The End 10 years ago?

10 years ago seems like a decade ago… Ha! The team at The End was as tight knit of a “family” group as I had ever been around in radio. I felt (and still do) an obligation to contribute to and carry on that family vibe. A lot has changed over these last 10 years. I got married, I had a child, and I’ve grown in all facets of my personal and professional life. Even with all that changes I still feel that family vibe and the loyalty that I felt on day 1. I’m grateful to be able to walk in the doors of iHeart Charlotte every day and get to live a fairy tale career.

2. It’s been just a little over a year now since you returned to the Queen City to program The End. How has The End changed since you have taken over as PD in the past year?

Things have been moving so fast over the last year I haven’t really had time to reflect. We’ve re-imagined the brand from top to bottom. We brought in some new full time talent. Tamo was brought in for APD/MD/middays, and Lisa at KYSR recognized her talent too and now Tamo is in L.A. (crazy year for her too!) We hired a LIVE night jock and MD. Palmer is going to be a huge star in our format, and we couldn’t be more excited about having her on-air. Woody & Wilcox continue to be a force and REAL local voice. We updated our station VO talent, attitude imaging, slogan and doubled down on our commitment to being local. We even went as far as to update our station logo to reflect being a part of the (real) “Queen City” by putting a crown as a brand identifier in our logo. Sorry Cincinnati, we’re actually named after a Queen...

3. Tell us about your newest addition, Palmer and what made her stand out of the pack for MD/nights on The End.

Palmer has a real spark in her eye. She was referred to me by James Howard (DC101). James told me I wouldn’t meet anyone “more eager, coachable, creative and selfless” than Palmer. He was dead right. She’s a fresh burst of energy and creativity that is infectious to everyone else around her. She fit in immediately and was a clear front runner early on. I’m so excited to help her grow in to the real star that I know she is!

4. On October 1st, you introduced your new station logo. Explain.

We’re a 20+ year heritage brand in Charlotte and the format. Rare these days. I believe we’ve lasted as long as we have because of our true service to the community. We needed a brand identifiable mark. We wanted a “swoosh.” We wanted our new presentation to be unique to Charlotte and not something that you could pick up and put in any other market. We feel like the “crown” represents our city and the locality that we pride ourselves on every day.

5. Give us the 411 on The End. How is the station positioned musically and what is most important to you when deciding what new music to play?

We’re a true mainstream ALT station for a city that is growing by 30 people a day. We’re the home market for the syndicated Woody & Wilcox show that gets better every day they’re on air. We play the best alternative rock music of today and help our listeners discover the bands that will shape the future of our format. We play the best music and do the coolest events at the coolest places in town. We are tirelessly committed to helping our community.

6. How would you describe yourself as a programmer?

I believe that as an alternative programmer you should be a little uncomfortable with a few of your music decisions. Otherwise, you’re not helping our format, our station or the city grow. All that said, you have to be smart enough to make those all calculated risks. If you step out on record you have to have a reason. One of my favorite reasons is “...because I love it. It’s a great record and Charlotte needs to hear it.”

7. What is your favorite part of your job?

The people. The vision. The responsibility to our community to be their voice. It’s cool AF to be able to work with the most creative people I’ve ever met… every day. It challenges me to be better on a daily basis. How many people’s jobs truly challenge them daily? Mine does.

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

My wife. My son. Coffee. Repeat.

9. When you get back home to Atlanta, what are your top priorities?

Always need to see mom! I also love the Falcons and the Braves which can be challenging living in Charlotte which are big division rivals. I’m one of the few people that can love two teams in the same division (until they play each other and then, well… I grew up going to Falcons training camp.)

10. What would surprise people most about you?

I’m a 25+ year musician. I play guitar. I sing. I write music. I‘ve save thousands of dollars a year on therapy because I have that outlet. I told my family early on “I’m smart enough to know I won’t be able to buy my dream beach house by trying to be a rock star. I want to do something that keeps me close to my true passion in life. Music. Radio can’t get me any closer.” I also LOVE golf. Maybe too much.

I know you love golf. Rank your favorite sports teams in order of passion.

LOVE golf. I’m not good, but I love the competition. Falcons & Bulldogs are #1A & 1B, Braves, Panthers & Packers (my wife’s team.) Weird. I know.

What are weekends like for you?

Family! My son plays soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis & golf. Busy for a kid, but he loves being active and I love trying to keep up. I also do my best to play golf with my buds as often as I “earn” a hall pass to do so! Oh, and yard work. I’m definitely a landscape & turf management nerd. Something about truly appreciating what you work hard for.

Favorite new band in the past year?

Grandson is an artist who really has something to say and MEANS something. He’s a star.