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10 Questions with ... Palmer
April 23, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. My rule for myself on air is that every break should either make my listeners learn or laugh. If it can do both, then I'm very happy. I figure if I'm genuinely having a good time on air, which will come across to my listeners. I want to get to a point where I'm getting listeners more directly involved with the show, whether that be on the phones or with social media. So that's a short term goal for me
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
After a serendipitous meeting with her future program director while bar tending, Palmer started in radio at the legendary DC101 as a part-time board operator and fill in on-air. She was afforded the opportunity to do long term fill in for nights on 98.7 WMZQ, helping her to cut her teeth as a jock. She is now full-time Music Director and night jock for 106.5 The End in Charlotte, NC.
1. How did you first become interested in radio?
I have a very unique story in that radio sort of came to me, as it were. I was a bartender in Adams Morgan, DC and James Howard the (now former) PD for DC101 happened to come into the bar. After some conversation (and a lot of whiskey), he offered to give me a tour of the studios and asked if I would be interested in radio. I was already a P1 for DC101 so it couldn't have been more perfect. The rest is history!
2. What was your biggest take away from beginning your radio career at iHeartMedia/Washington, D.C.?
My biggest take away is to raise your hand for every opportunity. It doesn't matter if it's board op-ing, working the dump button, some random appearance, etc. always go for it. Every bit of experience is something else you can bring to the table, and eventually it starts to pile up.
3. What have the first six months been like moving to WEND (106.5 The End)/Charlotte?
The first six months here have been a whirlwind! I moved to a whole new city and state where I don't know anyone, got engaged and then had my fiancé get deployed shortly thereafter. I've learned so much about music directing and everything that goes with it, and got to know everyone on the team; it's been a lot. The team down here is truly one of a kind, and everyone has been beyond helpful. My enthusiasm for learning has been met with an enthusiasm to teach, and I'm incredibly grateful.
4. When you joined The End back in September 2018, your boss, DZL said you possess a rare blend of creativity, humor, passion and drive. How would you describe yourself on-air?
My rule for myself on air is that every break should either make my listeners learn or laugh. If it can do both, then I'm very happy. I figure if I'm genuinely having a good time on air, which will come across to my listeners. I want to get to a point where I'm getting listeners more directly involved with the show, whether that be on the phones or with social media. So that's a short term goal for me.
5. How are you settling into your role as Music Director and what is your method of sorting through all the new music?
Something I love about this job is that there always seems to be another new aspect of it to learn. This is true both because I don't come from a radio background, but also because the industry itself is changing. Artists are catering more and more to their online audience, as is shown by the trend of putting out multiple singles in short periods of time. I'm still learning a lot as far as the best way to sort through, but right now the questions I ask myself are: does this align with the station's core? If it doesn't, is it "too cool for the room," or will it add necessary variety?
6. Tell us about how you use social media and your social responsibilities for The End.
As a stereotypical millennial, I LOVE social media. I use it to fill in the gaps of my personality that I can't necessarily get across on air. For me, social media, and Instagram in particular, are my chance to directly engage with my listeners. I frequently reply to DM's from listeners, post silly videos, just really try and take the chance to really connect. Social media can be much more intimate as it gives you a chance to talk with each person individually. As far as my social media duties go, I try to get business done in as fun and entertaining a way as possible. I've never been much of a fan of the "smiling selfie and here's some unrelated information in the caption." Whether it's Tweeting, Facebook, Instagram, everything needs to have personality and a point to it. I went to acting school, so I try to apply that to my job with "objectives" and "tactics." If the objective is to inform our audience of the iHeartRadio Music Awards, we can do that by using tactics such as humoring them with a funny background story, shocking them with a surprising fact, or exciting them with potential rewards.
7. What is a typical workday like for you?
I don't really have a typical work day, simply because I don't work a typical job. Although my office hours start at 2pm, I'd say about 3 days out of the week I come in earlier for things like meetings, or a performance in our sound stage, or just using the time to work on any of the various projects we have.
8. What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is the constant opportunities to be creative. I never have to do something the same way twice, and I'm only limited by myself. And the FCC.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
I can't make it through the day without socialization. Another reason I cherish the team here so much is we really are like a family. I'm incredibly extroverted, so being able to have that interaction throughout the day is so important to me. It gives me the opportunity to step away from the computer and sort of refresh, which in turn makes me more productive.
10. What would surprise people most about you?
I think there are a lot of weird aspects about me that would surprise people. My life is essentially ongoing plot twists. I went to 12 years of Catholic school, intended to go to Temple University for vocal performance, then changed my mind at the last second and went to Fordham University for pre-med and biology, then changed my mind after a year and went to the National Conservatory for Dramatic Arts to be an actor, then went into radio part time, while simultaneously bartending, walking dogs, and working for a law firm. So actually I guess the shocking thing is that I've found a career I actually want to stick with for the long haul.
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you?
Weekends are my chance to catch up on chores, then blow that off entirely and go out with friends, come back and feel guilty about it, but not guilty enough to do anything about it until late Sunday night, when I will convince myself it's more important to get to bed early so I wake up refreshed Monday and ready to start the week.
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies include singing, piano playing, and I want to try and find some local theater around here as well.
Favorite new band from this past year?
My favorite new band would probably be Badflower. I'm an emo kid at heart, and they're one of the few bands carrying on (or arguably bringing back) that kind of sound.
First record ever purchased?
The first record I ever purchased was Hilary Duff's "Metamorphosis" and I am not ashamed. That record is straight bangers.
First concert?
The first concert I ever went to was All Time Low, with Every Avenue and the Maine as openers. My emo dream. That was at the 9:30 Club in DC in 2008, I think.
Favorite band of all-time?
Favorite band of all time will always be Panic! At the Disco. I got into them in 6th grade when you're really starting to figure out and decide who you want to be as a person, so 'Fever' was a very monumental album for me. I was able to briefly meet Brendon Urie earlier this year and it was the first time I REALLY got star struck. I couldn't talk.
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