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10 Questions with ... Bob Stei
July 20, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. It's very old school since I handpick every song! And, I am so anal retentive and picky when it comes to it. Like many teens in the 1980s, I was so not into the music of the last few years of that decade. It was around my second year at Manhattan College in 1991 when grunge was picking up and it was like a voice saying, "Great! It's cool to listen to new music again!" I probably rotate a few hundred songs with core artists being Morrissey, Blur, Oasis, U2, Tonic, Live, Alanis Morrissette, Pearl Jam, STP, Offspring etc... I try to stick to familiar songs. Being an anglophile, I think about when I went clubbing in London in the late 1990s and what was playing! But make no mistake: All the songs are from 1990-1999. And there will never be a hairband played!
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I transferred to Manhattan College in 1990 and basically took over the carrier current station WRCM. I worked as an intern at the late WNEW/New York from 1992-1993. Lorraine Caruso and Amy Winslow coined the nickname "Wacky Bob" which was fitting! Instead of job hunting after graduation, I parted on every day that ended with a "Y," and headed back to Baltimore in 1993. I worked off-air doing a little bit of everything at WIYY (98 Rock) from 1994-1998. Then, it was off to Philly in 1998, where I did a bit of everything off-air at Greater Media (WMMR, WMGK, WPEN-A, WXXM, WEJM, WMWX) for six years. At the same time, I briefly worked at FMQB, and launched my on-air career doing the late nights at WBAB/Long Island in 2003. Then it's a wild ride with stops at WZZO/Allentown, WQXA/Harrisburg, WPST/Trenton, Clear Channel/Philadelphia (WISX, WIOQ and Sunday nights at WRFF for four years), WAFL-F/Milford, DE, cyber-jocking Modern Rock WIJK/Ocean City, MD, seven years at WCHR/Monmouth-Ocean, WCZT and WJSE/Atlantic City, WAVT/Pottsville, PA, back to WMGK, cyber-jocking for Radio Forecast Network and now mornings at KKDJ/Fresno. I created and launched "The Grunge Garage" during Corona and helped Zach Martin with various charity-oriented Internet stations. Whew!
1. How did you first become interested in radio?
Like many of us, I was a geek from day one. First, it was the Top 40 music of the 70's and 80's. Then, I learned how to listen to the Phillies games on WCAU from my house in Baltimore! I got to go through the pain of my favorite station switching formats as a teen (Damn you WMKR-FM K106), but the true addiction came the day after the format change, when I first heard the Don And Mike Show. I was like, "That is what I want to do!"
2. You recently celebrated 30 years in the industry, and it sounds like you have quite a full plate and wear several hats – morning show, radio recruiter, headhunter, and a syndicated show. Explain...
Well, when I was "Manhattan College's Howard Stern" I thought I was this brilliant jock. Then, around graduation I started sending airchecks and resumes out and the negative response was loud and clear. I assumed nobody wanted me on the air, so I learned every radio skill I could from research to production to promotions, so I could always do something. It was my mentor Zach Martin who convinced me in 2003 that I had the talent and worked with me and helped me with the aircheck that landed me in Long Island a few weeks later! As for recruiting, it's one of those odd things. I was in between positions in 2004, when a company found my resume online and hired me to recruit. That's been my full-time job while I "play radio" since. I've been lucky enough to team up with Larendee Roos and Roos Advisors and launch a very successful media division right before Corona hit.
3. Let’s focus on Bob Stei's Grunge Garage. Give us the 411 on the show.
Yes sir! It's my baby! A few years ago, I was hired to host a weekly program online which I was able to syndicate globally to various stations and websites. There were logistical and technical reasons why I ended it. While helping the launch of an Internet station, I decided it would be fun to do a weekly 90's show, but all the songs would be handpicked by me. After teaming up with Rhett Butler, the vision was there! Not even a year later we are all across the world on various platforms and growing every day!
4. So the show is 4-hours of Grunge and Britpop. How extensive is your library?
It's very old school since I handpick every song! And, I am so anal retentive and picky when it comes to it. Like many teens in the 1980s, I was so not into the music of the last few years of that decade. It was around my second year at Manhattan College in 1991 when grunge was picking up and it was like a voice saying, "Great! It's cool to listen to new music again!" I probably rotate a few hundred songs with core artists being Morrissey, Blur, Oasis, U2, Tonic, Live, Alanis Morrissette, Pearl Jam, STP, Offspring etc... I try to stick to familiar songs. Being an anglophile, I think about when I went clubbing in London in the late 1990s and what was playing! But make no mistake: All the songs are from 1990-1999. And there will never be a hairband played!
5. What led to the “Mandatory Morrissey” song per hour? My Morrissey obsession can be described as cute or annoying!
I became obsessed with The Smiths in 1986. He is my favorite singer and writer. My son's middle name is Morrissey! So, why not play one song an hour?
6. What is your show prep routine and how long does it take you to put together the show?
As odd as it sounds, I come up with the playlist midweek, based on feedback, requests and what I think flows well. I send the list to Rhett who mixes it and times it out perfectly. Then usually Friday or Saturday I record my breaks, they are at most 30-60 seconds long. Usually, I scan the Internet for silly stories or like to find out information about our affiliates and the cities they are in. Rhett is the brains of the operation and spends a few hours perfecting the audio and adding sweepers. All of our sweepers have a UK sound to it. He sends the hours back to me, I listen to see if we need any changes. Once good, it goes to the affiliates.
7. How would you describe your on-air style?
Goofy with an appreciation of old school CHR radio! I have a groggily, non-smokers voice and love to invite people to the sick world we call my brain.
8. Tell us about your producer/syndicator Rhett Butler.
We met by chance, and I owe so much of the success of the Garage to him! He is a former programmer with amazing technical and graphic design skills. Everyone needs a Rhett! Rhett has a site up where you can listen to demos and past shows at https://webrockrevolution.net/. I also have a Facebook page at The Grunge Garage with Bob Stei. The show airs all over the world at almost any day or time!
9. What makes your show unique?
For starters, there are no consultants, managers or outside sources telling me what to play. I program the music. Also, we treat Internet stations the same as we treat our FM stations. Hell, some web stations have more listeners than some terrestrial stations. I try to think of every listener and affiliate as a guest at an awesome party! We embrace being global and talk about their lives! I have been nominated for a radio award in the Philippines! One UK web station has a listening party on Facebook! It fits so many Rock and even Hot AC formats. So, we are the “cool kids” at a club in London! The genre is never given the credit it deserves, so you are invited to the party, and get to stay the whole time!
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________?
Watching some old 70's or 80's game show on YouTube
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you?
I'm married to a nurse, and we have three kids. So, in between lots of activities, I'm on my phone and laptop a lot sending Rhett clips and listening back.
You’re based in Philadelphia, who has the best Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich?
Well, I haven't had eaten meat since Mike Schmidt was the Phillies starting third baseman, so anywhere with a tofu or soy one works for me!
What are your favorite places to eat in the area?
I live a very suburban life so any place with a killer falafel wins for me!
Rank your sports teams in order of passion.
Flyers (please win a cup in my lifetime)
Eagles
Phillies
SixersFirst record ever purchased?
Probably Pat Benatar's "In the Heat Of The Night."
First concert?
My mom took me to see Air Supply in Columbia, MD in 1981. Did I just lose affiliates?
Favorite band of all-time?
The Smiths and Morrissey
Favorite new band over the past year?
I'm so out of the loop! I still think it's 1996!
Anything else you would like to add?
Please contact me at grungegaragestei@gmail.com or call the office at (215) 542-2357 for more information or to pick up the show!
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