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10 Questions with ... Mike Allen
November 13, 2018
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. Well, Rock 99.7 was always going to be an Alternative station, but we've kept a pretty flexible notion of what Alternative means (we always say Alternative means different). It's the question we've asked ourselves at every turn. Does this song fit? (Alternative means different)...Is this promotion too odd?(Alternative means different)...It's a philosophy that we've spread across the radio station...We're going to be different...Be what you are...not what you think they want...Maybe...just maybe....They want what you are
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Began working in radio at WROQ Rock 101 in Greenville, SC and worked there for 13 years. Moved from there with an ownership change and went to Charleston, SC and worked at WYBB & WCOO for 12 years. Moved from there to Columbia, SC and worked for 92.1 The Palm for 4 years. Working now with Alpha Media in Columbia, SC and I've been here 2 years this month.
1. After working at cross-town Triple A WWNU (92.1 The Palm), what led you to current Alpha Media/Columbia, SC programming post?
Hometown Columbia sold the signal to EMF so no job led me to take another job. I was fortunate to meet Mike Hartel and Hunter Meyer (then PD for 102.3 The Fox) and have some very positive conversations with them. They brought me on-board about the time we were planning the launch or Rock 99.7 or as we like to call it The Panda.
2. For nearly 20 years Columbia Rock Alternative lived on WARQ Rock 93-5 until an ownership change in 2014. On Christmas 2016, Alpha Media signed on Rock 99.7 on WARQ-HD2-W259CL filling a "Contemporary Rock" void in the market. How has Rock 99.7 grown and evolved to Alternative?
Well Rock 99.7 was always going to be an Alternative station, but we've kept a pretty flexible notion of what Alternative means (we always say Alternative means different). It's the question we've asked ourselves at every turn. Does this song fit? (Alternative means different)...Is this promotion too odd?(Alternative means different)...It's a philosophy that we've spread across the radio station...We're going to be different...Be what you are...not what you think they want...Maybe...just maybe....They want what you are.
3. Give us the 411 on Rock 99.7. How is the station positioned musically and what is most important to you when deciding what new music to play?
We have kept the station music centered and have not put personalities on it except for Andy Safnauer at Longtrain Productions who has helped us develop something we wrote one day...The Rock Panda. We wrote it one day and laughed and laughed...Like seriously Hunter and I had snot coming out...And then we thought...but...yeah.
4. What is the coverage area on Rock 99.7 in Columbia?
We cover the metro... It can be a challenge when you get to the fringe or where other out of market stations cause multipath.
5. Tell us about the Panda and what else makes Rock 99.7 unique?
We wrote it one day the throws of some frustration trying to come to grips with how the station should sound. So we started looking out there on the web and Panda means "most high"...And we laughed...and then we wrote.
The Rock Panda likes to go places with concert tickets...but he loses them because he has no pants and therefore no pockets...and then the listeners have to go find them with the help of the coffee shop, bar or park ranger that found them.
Andy and I worked together at Rock 101 back in the day and it's been a pleasure working with him on Fox and Rock. He hears the voices in my head and then makes them funnier.
Also Andy plays an excellent second banana to the bear.
6. How would you describe yourself as a programmer?
I like to think I'm actually the Head Writer for the radio station. After that it's the music and as a programmer I'm trying to find songs that cut through.
7. What is your favorite part of your job?
Writing the stuff between the records and the people I work with.
8. You have spent the past 30 years in South Carolina Radio. What do you like best about living in Southeast?
Well...It's 70 degrees today as we enter November. Second while I love to travel. The company recently flew a bunch of us out to Portland for #AlphaPopUp. This place feels like home.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Coffee...all the coffee.
10. What would surprise people most about you?
I live my life out loud 5 hours a day on the radio...If you're surprised you should listen more.
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you?
Reading, binge watching and listening to other radio or podcasts.
What are your hobbies?
Reading and running (slowly)...The running...not the reading.
Best concert you've seen in the last year?
Foo Fighters...Great show at Colonial Life Arena.
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