-
10 Questions with ... Amy Grey
October 19, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. There are no rules! We create something new every day. Whether it's a new feature, promotion, radio bit, contest, we make things happen! The days are limitless, creative and exciting! We also have recess.
-
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Graduated from Dean College - worked at the College Station WGAO 88.3 - Southeastern New England’s Hottest Rock! I was on-air and Assistant News Director. After graduation I got my career start at WCCC/Hartford as a Morning Show Producer for 2 years and then moved to Columbia South Carolina - for my first overnight gig at 104.7 WNOK - Columbia's Hit Music Station! Moved back up to Connecticut - did 11 years at 97.3 WZBG - doing on air and production at the same time did 7 years at WWYZ 92.5 - weekends and moved to nights for 7 years. Then I had my first 'lay off' experience from YZ. Got a gig at 96.5 WTIC for a short time until I got my amazing gig at 104.1 WMRQ. Started doing weekends and moved to middays in just a month. And now Mornings on 104.1 WMRQ - including our cluster of stations: afternoons on US Country 99.5, nights on WWRX Jammin 1077, weekends on WNTY Kool Radio, and Soft Rock 106.5 WBMW!!
1. How did you first become interested in radio?
I've wanted to be "on the radio" since I was like 8 years old! Music was the background of my life! My dad was in a band and played all the time. I would get a new and bigger boom box every year for my birthday! I would just listen to win concert tix or anything just to hear myself on the radio. I would sit and wait with my fingers on rec/play!
2. You have been at Radio 104.1 WMRQ for 12 years now and just received a nice promotion in addition to co-hosting mornings. Tell us about your new position and what led to this opportunity?
I started at Full Power about 12 years ago doing middays. From there I jumped on mornings about 4 years ago and moved to the Promotions Director position. I also have shifts on most of our stations from Jammin 1077, WBMW, Kool Radio and US Country 99.5. I started scheduling music and doing more promotions with our other stations. From planning huge station events, Purse Parties, Listener Experiences - working with record labels and bands to do special events with our listeners. Given the freedoms we have at Full Power Radio I just kind of jump in and go! I'm super tenacious and I think that's what got me in this new position. I don't get frantic if there's a problem -- I just immediately think how can we fix this and move on. I'm pretty scrappy -- determined. That works well with my new role!
3. What’s it like working for Full Power Radio with John Fuller?
John is a gem! He is a local guy, who owns and operates all of our stations! That is unheard of these days. John is great to learn from. He is super positive and is always willing to try something new, he allows us to be our unique selves and run with ideas. I couldn't imagine working for a corporate radio station after working with John. You just can't go back!
4. Radio 104.1 has been an Alternative station since 1994. Give us the 411 on the station.
We are an Alternative Rock station. We stay true to our core artists -- Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, 311, No Doubt, Foo Fighters, sprinkled with Modest Mouse, Twenty One Pilots, Glass Animals, Milky Chance, Bastille, and embrace new artists like Tai Verdes, Maneskin, and Weathers. We show lots of love to our local bands on Sunday Nights - Home Brew. We play local bands' best tracks. And always a 90's weekend on Radio 104.1.
5. Tell us about your morning show, Amy & Holden In The Morning.
Me and Holden are really good friends. Our show is us talking, debating, fighting, laughing! Whatever comes up -- we entertain. We also never know what each other is going to talk about -- we just go with it! It's real. It's real friends talking. We just happen to have mics on.
6. What is a typical workday like for you?
Up at 3:45, coffee, spilling coffee, laughing by 6am, lots of singing, hacking up emails, text my BF Chris ;) more laughing, tea, Music Master, insult someone, become Brooke Preston for U.S. Country, eat a spoon of peanut butter, music calls, take my dog outside, talk with my amazing jocks across each station, tons of promotions, more texts to BF Chris ;) social media and keep going!
7. What is your favorite part of your job?
There are no rules! We create something new every day. Whether it's a new feature, promotion, radio bit, contest, we make things happen! The days are limitless, creative and exciting! We also have recess.
8. How did you get involved in helping up-and-coming broadcasters at the Connecticut School Of Broadcasting?
CSB Media Center reached out to me a few years ago to teach. And I said uhhhhh I can't teach! Turns out... experience in the industry is all you need! Showing the students through my experience, from every station I've worked at. Greatest thing ever - - teaching up and comers! Giving them the real answers! Teaching them the tools of the trade from my own days and nights at radio stations! From Adobe Audition and Radio Promotions to Voice Over Workshops. I have hired a lot of CSB Grads over the years from morning show interns, promotions, to set up/ Currently my role is Career Counselor for graduates at CSB Media Center. After they graduate, we have a few Zoom meetings and go over resumes, demos and a plan to find a job in the industry.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ____________?
Talking/texting my 2 boys Pierce and Tyler
10. What would surprise people most about you?
I can tap dance. Twirl a baton. Curl my tongue. More?
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you?
I'm a runner! Running the streets of Collinsville! Walking my dog by the river, hikes, dinners, rock climbing, adventures with my BF Chris. What are your favorite places to eat in the area?
Anywhere outside. Give me nachos, sun in my eyes and grass under my feet! Favorite food?
Avocados on any food. Any food with avocados. And feta. Salmon too. Favorite drink?
Wine and detox tea! First record ever purchased?
Culture Club omg huge fan! First concert?
Rock Concert was Van Halen w/ Sammy Hagar Favorite band of all-time?
Shinedown all day - everyday - of all time. Favorite new band over the past year?
Surf Curse! Anything else you would like to add?
More Surf Curse - their song Freaks should be longer! Extended version.
-
-