10 Questions with ... Daniel Merry

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Still have no idea what I’m doing. I just talk and have a damn good time hoping it’ll translate over to the audience. I mean the one person listening. This amazing opportunity fell into my lap and I’m still just riding the wave of “holy heckin heck, I’m on the radio” even after 3 years!

1. How did you first become interested in radio?

I come from a family of entertainers! My dad was a well-known musician/front man in our area, and I feel like I get a lot of my personality from him. I always wondered how I’d do in entertainment but always had this thought in the back of my head that I wouldn’t be good at it, or it was impossible. The universe makes a way!  

2. Your PD Brad Steiner speaks very highly of you. I hear you’re a local musician/promoter. What led you to middays at ALT 92.3?

Love that Brad guy. Love em. Brad was the driving force behind that. He has a good eye and a good plan for what he thinks is best. He saw and sees something in me that I can’t wait to continue to work on! Me being a musician actually led me to this opportunity. I became really good friends with former afternoon DJ Ashley-O after my old band RESURFACE won a contest which led to 3 local bands playing the parish room at the House of Blues. A year or so into our friendship, she persuaded and motivated me to come work for ALT 92.3! I spent the first 2 years of my radio career learning and hanging with her in the studio. Some of the best times of my life! Forever grateful to Ashley-O, Paul “Gonzo” Cannell and everyone who gave me this phenomenal opportunity. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 the promotion thing is just sputtering along while we wait for local music to start thriving again. Fingers crossed that happens sooner than later.

3. Your bio says a goofy dude with a big heart who loves entertaining in every sense of the word. Tell us about middays 10-3 with Daniel Merry.

With you taking time out of your day to listen, I aim to be your escape! I’m helping to guide you through your day with good music, good vibes, and a lighthearted but realistic attitude. I can’t seem to let the singer in me take a backseat as you’ll more than likely hear me singing along to… pretty much everything. Also, consistency is key with me which is why you can find Daniel Merry’s daily dad joke at the same time around noon each day.

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

It’s ya best friend Daniel Merry! My first week or so on-air, I had close friends tell me that I was sounding too newsy and professional and I realized they were right. I realized that I just needed to relax and be myself and within a couple of days two separate people said that when they listened to me, they felt like they were hanging with their best friend at a bar having a beer. That warmed my dang ol’ heart and confirmed that my new approach was the right approach. Be Daniel Merry, just on the radio.

5. What is your show prep routine?

Man, I think I was on middays for MAYBE 2 weeks before COVID-19 subjected me to my house lol. These days I make sure to spend time with my family in the morning and wrestle with my 2 sons to get the blood pumpin. Then I come to the man cave and get to work!

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

The freedom. The ability to say something that could possibly positively impact someone’s day and possibly turn their day around for the better. I’ve always been a big radio listener, and I remember DJs from when I was a kid who would say or do things and I thought they were so cool and inspiring. I hope that I inspire people like they did me. Mainly the driving force behind me sticking with radio is the fulfillment I get from it. I love music. My wife makes fun of me because realistically I’m listening to music 88% of the time when I’m awake. The fact that I have a job where I can entertain, which is something I’ve done in some form of fashion my whole life AND play your favorites/introduce you to your new favorites. Man, there isn’t a more perfect job for me.

7. What makes your show unique?

I feel like I’m such a normal guy and I think it’s easy for people to relate to me which is a great feeling! I want people to know what they’re getting every time they tune in on weekdays from 10a-3p on ALT 92.3. One word I’ve never associated myself with is vulnerable. That is until 349 different people in this industry said I was vulnerable. Is that a good thing? Is that a bad thing? Who knows, but I’ll continue to be unapologetically me!

8. How are you using social media to augment what you’re doing on-air?

You can always tell when It’s me posting. My taste in humor has dad joke written all over it. I love being in front of people and unfortunately due to the rona, that’s not really possible right now. So, I do my best to get in on alllll the interviews, IG Lives, and live that goofy life.

9. What would surprise people most about you?

Hmm I’d have to say that I have bad days too. Pretty often actually, but I do a great job at centering myself and not letting things out of my control dictate my days. That, and I’ve been a metal vocalist since I was 15 years old?

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

Singing obnoxiously and at the top of my lungs.

Tell us about Give It Hell Promotions.

Being in the local music industry for so long, I’ve seen all sides of things. This is me giving back to the local music community by hosting events and fundraisers that aim to make an impact. My partner Vince and I try to think about every detail and how we can make it easy on everyone involved. We try to be the one stop shop for local bands who they can count on will be 100% honest and straightforward 100% of the time. We’re in the process of becoming a non-profit organization too so that’s exciting!

What are weekends like for you during a pandemic?

Lately we’ve been venturing out a bit more now that we feel like the world has a better understanding of what is and what’s not acceptable during the pandemic. It’s mostly my wife and our 2 little dudes taking on the world every weekend!  

What are your favorite places to eat in the area?

I live about 40ish minutes north of New Orleans in a town called Mandeville and this area has a great selection of pretty much whatever you’d want! For example, tonight we had Albasha which is an amaaaazing Greek restaurant. Then there’s Old Rail Brewing which brews some great beer and food. They don’t brew the food, but you know what I mean. Oooooh and Kazoku Sushi mmmm.

Rank your sports teams in order of passion.

WHO DAT! Sorry. Saints #1 all day. Then that’s really it. I of course love LSU football but don’t follow it as closely as I do the Saints.

First record ever purchased?

The edited version of Eminem – The Slim Shady LP from Wal Mart. I was like 11 lol

First concert?

Shinedown and Tantric at the UNO Lakefront Arena!

Favorite band of all-time?

Oooooh this is impossible. I have lyrics from Architects on my inner right arm so right now that’s my answer.

Favorite new band over the past year?

Mansionair or Bilmuri. It doesn’t get more pleasingly unique than Bilmuri. Is that a word? Pleasingly?

Anything else you would like to add?

Just to remember to take it easy and if it’s easy, take it!