10 Questions with ... Latina 'Shanell' Karpinsky

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

This is my first and only "real job" out of college. I started out on the promotions "Street Team" back in 2008. Back then we only had two stations in our cluster (WJMZ and WHZT). I became the Promotions Coordinator a few years later. After a while, I started to burn out on the Promotions stuff...tired of working EVERY weekend and holiday, the late night phone calls, etc. Around 2015 I tried my hand at advertising sales for a bit and quickly figured out that it was not for me. I actually tried to quit radio after the sales thing didn't work out, but our President/Market Manager sat me down and asked me what I really wanted to do. I told her that I'd love to get back on the air, but the only station I would do it on was X98.5. We were fully automated back then (no jocks), so I started just doing some mild APD stuff for a while. By the Fall 2016, we got X98.5 set up to have "live" jocks, started doing lounge shows, and we've been growing ever since.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

One Sunday, while I was a student at Michigan State, I was listening to Reggae show on the college station (Impact 89FM/WDBM)... the host said the radio station was looking for jocks . I applied, starting out at overnights. I went on to score an afternoon drive shift, and eventually ended up doing the "Impact Flashback"; which aired on Friday evenings and was focused on late 70s, 80s, and 90s tunes...lots of New Wave, Post-punk, and 80s pop.

2. You've been at SummitMedia/Greenville, SC for over 10 years and wear several hats with the cluster. Tell us about your responsibilities and how you devote your time to your APD/MD/middays duties for X98.5?

I basically have some role in just about every department within the cluster. (Programming, Production, Web/Graphics, Sales Support, Promotions, Traffic, etc.) As for my duties with X98.5, I pretty much do it all as I don't have a support staff to speak of. Scheduling music, checking logs, loading in imaging, writing promo copy, updating the website, social media etc....I do it all. Mike (Klein) does the lion's share of interacting with the record reps because of the sheer volume of other things I have on my plate, but I do enjoy talking music with them when I can.

3. What is your favorite part of your job?

Besides going to shows myself, it's giving listeners the opportunity to do so through cool promotions and contests. I get to facilitate amazing experiences that people will remember for a long time...that's a really good feeling!

4. Let's talk about X98.5. Give us the 411 on X98.5 - The Upstate's Alternative and how the station covers Greenville-Spartanburg with an FM translator?

Our signal is microscopic, but we try to make the most of it. Being involved and visible in the local community is key for us. We also try making sure we're offering something listeners aren't getting from the other stations in the market without being too different that it alienates people.

5. How would you describe your style as APD/MD?

Like anyone, I have my favorite bands but I try to give every song/artist a fair shake when considering what we should play. If I'm not familiar with a particular artist I rely on my label reps to give me a little background. Then I take that info, plus watching the charts, social trends, show attendance/crowd reactions to try to make the best, most informed choices I can when it comes to music for X98.5. Ultimately, I think music should make you "feel" something, so I'm always looking for that in any particular song.

6. What's Shanell like on-air in middays from 10a-3p.

I try to be fun and informative, with just a little bit of attitude. Sometimes the listeners get a little taste of how big of a nerd I really am, and I'm okay with that.

7. How did you get the nickname Shanell?

It's just my middle name, so not that exciting. I am kinda named after my dad's youngest sister...her name is Letitia Shamelle and I'm Latina Shanell.

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

Getting to be alone for a little while, lol. We voice track here, so no live callers or anything like that. Really, it's just getting to be a part of someone's day and hoping something I say makes them laugh, get excited, or think about something in a way they haven't before.

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

Caffeine and showing at least one person a picture of or talking about my dog(s).

10. What would surprise people most about you?

That I used to live in Alaska.

What are weekends like for you?

Hanging out at the local craft breweries, thrift store shopping with my bestie, watching football/basketball games

What are your hobbies?

Video games, cooking, collecting Funko Pop figures and vinyl

First record ever purchased?

TLC (Ooooohhh...On The TLC Tip)

First concert?

Immature and Monica (my music tastes have changed quite a bit over the years, lol)

Favorite new band in the past year?

The Interrupters are easily my favorite band that I "discovered" this year. I also really got into album-deep stuff from Nothing But Thieves, The Neighbourhood, and Royal Blood

Favorite band of all-time?

I can't pick just one, but Foo Fighters, Muse, and Chromeo are in my top 5.