10 Questions with ... "Mel" Melissa Holden (formerly Sorrentino)

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Started as an intern at 103.1 The Buzz in West Palm Beach back in 2006.  Eventually after The Buzz flipped formats (RIP), I found my way to 104.3 The Shark in Miami and started my career with Audacy in 2015.  I worked with the FM1019 team as the station was being developed and was upped to middays shortly after. When the shift to syndicated middays happened for Audacy Alternative stations, I wiggled into middays on our 80's sister station and then into my current Contesting Director role. Now that middays are back local, so am I!

1. So, 15 years ago you went to buy tickets for former Alternative WPBZ (103.1 The Buzz)/West Palm Beach’s Buzz Bake Sale, You ended up with an internship and fell in love with radio. Explain. 

Have you ever just been sick of life? That's exactly how I felt driving into my waitressing job back in November 2006. I was fed up and loudly rocking out to the Buzz when a promo came on for Bake Sale. I just said screw it, knew I'd be a bit late to my shift and detoured to the amphitheater to get tickets. The Buzz tent was set up since it was "on sale" day and they went all out. Old school style with a giant inflatable, piles of CD prizes, 4-5 promo kids and miles and miles of banner on a roll (don't worry Gen Z-ers, it was all biodegradable, we swear). I walked up to the tent and asked how to get involved and they told me to get an internship. Years later I can finally admit that I totally faked my internship papers and worked for free for 3 months for no reason but love. Then I got hired, yada, yada, yada. 

2.  Congrats on your newest addition to your family. You have a baby boy Lucas and you recently returned to FM101.9! Life has gotten very exciting for you. How are you juggling radio and being a new mom? 

Thanks!  It's certainly a whirlwind but amazing in every way.  Most days I'm literally juggling radio and Lucas - he's on my hip while I record from home which has led to some pretty funny breaks. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

3.  It’s so great to have your passion back in the Alternative format. What led to your recent move from 80’s 105.9 Sunny FM back to Alternative FM101.9 where you started in 2018? 

Alternative has always had my heart! So, when FM101.9 decided to make middays local again and I had the opportunity to jump in that slot, I did!  Thanks to Claudia Menegus SVP and Matt Malone RVP Alternative for putting me back where I belong.

4.  What do you love the most about being back on FM101.9? 

Attitude. On the 80’s station I had to keep it upbeat and fun all the time but that's hard when you just wanna be snarky.

  5. Tell us about your midday show on FM101.9, weekdays from 10a-3p.

It's mostly about the music, as it should be, with random thoughts from me thrown in. My goal is for people to laugh, or crack a smile, or even just smirk. I try to do that by being myself - a little bit mom, a little bit Florida Man, and a whole lotta ridiculous. 

6.  What is your show prep routine? 

I have 10 or 12 sites that I open every day to scroll for topics. It's more effective than just using a show prep service because I really pick what I want the focus to be that day.

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

Being able to take pieces of my crazy inner monologue out of my head and share it with people. My husband was sick of listening to me talk all week long so it's great to have an outlet again.

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

I'm taking the road less traveled with social media. I have my personal pages, but I've moved them to private in the last couple years because...creepers. Yup, I finally had enough of the random "hey beautiful’ s and D-pics so I blocked the world out. But I do still use the station social pages to spread the word if I come across a local article or something else that needs to be shared.

9.  You mentioned that your mentor John O'Connell taught you to "love everything about this crazy industry." What do you love most? Least? 

I've got two loves - the music and the people. There are so many dedicated, creative, passionate people that I've met over the years in radio. People so in love with their jobs that they work for pennies to stay within the special community that is this industry. Getting radio folks together in one room for a meeting is always madness but it's incredible to see that much raw talent working together. And the music! There's nothing that affects me the way music does. It can change my mood from happy to sad to thoughtful to angry and sometimes that's just in one song. I love the surprises new music brings.  

The thing I love least about radio is the pain. Everyone knows the saying - "You're not really in radio till you've been fired." Being fired, watching your friends get fired, watching whole stations get let go in mass - this industry is so hard because we all fall in love with it and when it ends, 99% of the time it's abrupt and there are no goodbyes. 

10. Your commute to the station is over an hour. I’m guessing Covid has allowed you flexibility and altered your set-up. What is a typical workday like for you? 

An hour and a half...each way! So yeah, I'm loving life post-pandemic and have no plans to go back to the office. It's crazy how much more efficient I am at life now that I don't spend 3 hours in a car every day. Who knew? My typical workday happens from my dining room now. I'm not one of those crazy people that gets ready & dressed to work from home either - it's PJs all day.  

What are weekends like for you living in St. Augustine with a newborn?

Pretty awesome. We live downtown so there are a lot of walks through the historic district and quick trips to the beach. Pro Tip: Go for a diaper bag with an insulated pocket, it keeps your beer cold.  

What are your favorite places to eat in North Florida?

Living in a tourist town means there are unlimited options of really, really good food so we tend to go for new spots when we go out. One favorite we do frequent is Aunt Kate's - good Seafood with a really amazing intercoastal view.   

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

Not nearly enough! Top priorities are seeing friends and family (although most of the family has followed me to St. Augustine for Lucas). And of course, going to some favorite spots like Havana's Lake Worth and Barrel Of Monks in Boca (hands down the best brewery beer you'll ever have).    

Rank your sports teams in order of passion. 

Some people will hate me for this, but I'll be honest - watching sports isn't my thing.  I'll watch the big games when they're on but not much past that.  

Are you still listening to as much new music? Who is your favorite new band over the past year? 

I've been digging deep into golds lately but now that I'm back at FM1019 I'm sure they'll be a new favorite soon.