10 Questions with ... Joe “Brady” Blum

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Promotions team/Board Op/Night Show Producer - WYCD Detroit Morning Show Producer - WDZH (AMP Radio) Detroit Night Show Host - WAZY Lafayette, WXYK Biloxi, KBFF Portland, KPWK Seattle. Late Nights - Z100 NYC.

1. How did you first become interested in radio?

When I was 11-12 years old, I remember hearing both The Dr. Don Show on 99.5 WYCD and Mojo In The Morning on Channel 955 on the school bus and just laughing at their conversations and I thought to myself that seems like so much fun. From there I bought a tape recorder and pretended to be on the radio. I was very lucky to grow up in a market that, in my opinion, had some of the best radio in America. I learned what great radio was just by listening to stations like Channel 955, 89X and 99.5 WYCD.

2. Welcome to ALT. After recently doing late-nights at crosstown WHTZ (Z100) for the past four years, what led to the PM Drive opportunity at ALT 92.3?

Fate and perfect timing. lol I was let go from Z100 during iHeart’s RIFs in December and within an hour after I got popped, I hit up Mike Kaplan asking if we could chat about any opportunities at ALT. I’ve always wanted to make the move to alternative and he gave me that chance to pursue it. Just so happened that afternoons was about to open up and what was a pretty heartbreaking scenario for me turned into one of the greatest things to happen in my career.

3. Your boss Mike Kaplan said, “Brady is the perfect fit for today’s alternative fan.” His wit, passion for the music, and storytelling will add a fresh edge to our brand.” How would you describe your style?

I wouldn’t really say I have a style because it’s literally just me. I‘ve always strived to simply be that friend or companion inside the speakers and I do so by just being true to my weird self. I also feel like humor is a great way to connect that bridge from host to listener and I do my best to make sure when I turn on the mic, I say something that could make someone laugh or smirk.... or roll their eyes, which probably happens more often.

4. What has been your biggest challenge been moving from Top 40 to Alternative?

Changing formats hasn’t been an issue since Alternative is a format, I’ve always personally listened to but honestly, I think my biggest challenge is just getting over my nerves of doing afternoons in NYC. It’s been a weird mix of excitement and nerves the last couple weeks. I walk to work thinking man I am not worthy of this but I’m so excited I’ve been given this opportunity. Luckily there is a bag of Depends in the studio just in case…for real, there is.

5.  You have quite the bio. It states Brady is the new afternoon host! We asked him to send us a bio but he hasn’t gotten back to us so we just had to stalk his IG @BradyOnAir and from what we gathered he makes SpongeBob references a lot, he’s vegan and he prefers to sit when he pees. It also looks like he buys his clothes from the discount rack at H&M & Zara. How much of this is true?

All 100% true. In regards to sitting while I pee, I encourage every man reading this to try sitting down and peeing for once. It’s incredible. You don’t have to worry about your aim, when you wiggle after to get those last few drops out it won’t end up anywhere but the bowl. Also, when you’re standing, if you have a phone in your hand, there is a chance it could slip out and fall into the bowl, that won’t happen sitting down. Join me and be a sitter.

  6.  In addition to ALT 92.3, what other stations are you on and how do you cater to those markets?

  Currently I do afternoons for Alt 107.7/104.7 Buffalo, Alt 102.1 Richmond, HFS 104.9 Baltimore, and middays at Alt 98.7 Detroit.

Detroit is my hometown so catering to the market is just immersing myself back into the culture that I spent 20 years being a part of, which I am so grateful and excited that I get to do. Being on the radio in your hometown is just something special. As for the other markets, basically it’s just doing research and also hitting up friends of mine in those markets to get a feel for the culture there. At the same time, I infuse a lot of what I’m doing at ALT in NYC into those stations -- phoners, artist info, etc.

7.  What is your show prep routine?

My show prep routine is all over the place. I’ll occasionally look at a prep service but usually I get my news from Twitter. Most of my content though just comes from lifestyle, observing people and experiences. I just jot down a thought or situation into my notes on my phone and then use it at some point.

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

Outside of connecting with listeners, I look at social media as a place you can either repurpose your breaks (especially on IG stories) or use it as a place to add extra breaks you couldn’t get to on-air. It also gives you a good idea on how that break was received or could be received on-air. 

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

Really just connecting with listeners and hopefully making them laugh or making them feel like they got someone to chill with if they don’t have anyone personally. That was me growing up. Moving to a new town when I was 11 and not really having friends, the hosts I listened to were there for me and I practically viewed them as a friend. Hopefully I can pay it forward to someone and be that friend to them...I mean most likely I’m that annoying friend you don’t know why your friends with but still.

10.  Who is your favorite on-air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?

It’s hard to just pick one because I have a laundry list of personalities I respect. I’ll give you my top 4 lol.  

Mojo at Channel 955 Detroit - I grew up listening to him and his show was one of the reasons I wanted to get into radio. His show is real, personable, funny and to just top it off he’s one of the nicest human beings you could ever meet.  

Kevin Klein at KROQ - I used to listen to his show on Live 105 religiously. One of, if not, the funniest personality in radio today.  

JoJo at KIIS - Always looked up to him as a night jock. His sound, ability to connect with the audience and strong use of phones is something I always wanted to bring to my shows on air. And also, like Mojo, one of the nicest people you could ever meet.  

Jake Dill formally of Alt 98.7 LA - loved his sound on-air and he was just hilarious too. Always kept you thinking what will he say next. Someone hire him ASAP!

What are weekends like for you?

This is pretty much the first time in 4 years I’ve had weekends off so now I don’t know what to do with myself. So far, I’ve either been on my couch watching Curb Your Enthusiasm episodes I’ve seen 48585858384 times or outdoor drinking in an igloo with friends....and then eating Halal cart food until we pass out.

What are your favorite places to eat in New York City?

Since I’m vegan I’m one of the worst people to have dinner with I always drag my friends to vegan spots like Peacefood Cafe and Lu-Anne’s Wild Ginger....also the Halal Cart outside my apartment building. The best Falafel over Rice I’ve ever had.

How often do you get back to Michigan and what are your top priorities when you go home?

I don’t get back as often as I would like to but when I do, I always make sure to see family and friends, hit up some bars and restaurants in Royal Oak/Ferndale area...And then take advantage of the new dispensaries around Metro Detroit.

Rank your sports teams in order of passion.

I know absolutely nothing about sports, so I’ll just rank the Tremors movies in order of passion.
1.    Tremors
2.    Tremors 4: The Legend Begins
3.    Tremors 2: Aftershocks
4.    Tremors 3: Back To Perfection
5.    Tremors 7: Shrieker Island
6.    Tremors 6: A Cold Day In Hell
7.    Tremors 5: Bloodlines

First record ever purchased?

When I was little, I was obsessed with movie soundtracks (still am actually) and I bought the Jaws soundtrack and Batman 1989 one. Can’t remember which one was first but all hail John Williams and Danny Elfman.

First concert?

I grew up in a very religious household, so my first concert was a Twila Paris concert. Pretty sure that concert made me an atheist.

Favorite band of all-time?

Nirvana. My high school did something really cool one year and made a bunch of random elective classes including a Rock & Roll History class. It was really the only class I paid attention in and from then on, I was obsessed with Nirvana.

Favorite new band over the past year?

They’ve been around for more than a year, but I’ve been really digging Peach Tree Rascals over the past few months. We play their song “Mariposa” like crazy on ALT 92.3 but they have some other really great tracks that are perfect to just vibe out to. Excited to see what they have in store for 2021.

Anything else you would like to add?

I finished a batch of bananas the other day before there were any brown spots on them. First time I was ever able to accomplish that and I thought it was pretty awesome.... oh, and baba booey.