10 Questions with ... Tony Mazur

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• 2007: Intern at WKNR
• 2007-2009: Talk show host at SportsTalkCleveland.com
• 2008: High school football reporter for WHK
• 2009: Afternoon co-host at ESPN 970 WFUN
• 2009-2014: Promotions & DJ at WWMK/Radio Disney
• 2011-2013: Producer & board op at WKRK/92.3 The Fan
• 2012-2013: Part-time producer at 98.5 WNCX
• 2013-2014: Tour guide at the Christmas Story House & Museum
• 2014-2015: Support engineer at Futuri Media
• 2015-2022: Morning show producer & fill-in host at 1590/93.5 WAKR
• 2016-2018: Tech operator for MLB Advanced Media
• 2022: PD & middays at WNWV 107.3 Alternative Cleveland

1.  How did you first become interested in radio?

At age four, I became fascinated with the DJs and personalities on Cleveland radio. They were celebrities to me. Icons I wanted to meet. Jeff & Flash (Jeff Kinzbach & Ed "Flash" Ferenc), Lisa Dillon, Don "Action" Jackson, Denny Sanders, to name a few. But one in particular jumps out, and that is Norm N. Nite. He has been a family friend for over seven decades, long before his Rock On anthology and move to WCBS and WNBC in New York City.

2.  What led to your move from Rubber City sister Hot AC WAKR/Akron and why are you excited to program 107.3 Cleveland’s Alternative?

Long before I entered the worlds of sports and news talk, I wanted to become a DJ. During my formative years, Cleveland had two alternative stations that really influenced me in 107.9 The End and 92.3 K-Rock. When I was offered the chance to program an alternative station, I jumped at the chance. It also allows me to wake up at a decent time instead of having that dreaded alarm go off at 3 AM!

3. What was behind the decision to rebrand from jenY 107.3 to 107.3 Cleveland’s Alternative at the beginning of the year?

The previous incarnation of 107.3 was heavy on currents, and many of which we still play. But this rebrand allows us to dip into the classics from the 1990s and 2000s. In fact, many alternative golds have not been heard on Cleveland radio in over a decade, so I feel this fills some gaps. It's a nice balance of '90s hits from Nirvana and Pearl Jam to the '00s chart-toppers in The Killers and Kings of Leon, to the currents of today such as Wolf Alice and AJR.

4.  So, the station was previously targeting millennials, leaned pop, and was very heavy on new music at 70% current. Give us the 411 on how you now have 107.3 Cleveland’s Alternative positioned musically.

The currents have decreased in frequency, almost the inverse of that 70/30 ratio. Alternative is very fluid, so we're open to being flexible with the format as time goes on. I will say, the feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive, with many listeners enjoying the mix of golds, currents, and recurrents. I also have a great working relationship with our music and promotions director, Alyssa Ursetti. She knows all of today's bands in her sleep.

5.  Tell us about the on-air lineup on 107.3 Cleveland’s Alternative.

Jaci Fox is our morning person, with Kris Drew being an on-air contributor. Kris has been with Rubber City Radio these last few years in a Swiss Army Knife role, and I worked with Jaci when Audacy Cleveland was still CBS Radio. I'm the midday man from 10-2p, and Nick Zopolis is our afternoon guy. Carrie Danger will fill out our daily lineup, coming to us by way of WLKR in Norwalk/Sandusky.

6.  You have kind of a unique situation in that 107.3 Cleveland’s Alternative is located in the same building with your Rubber City/Akron stations. Explain.

The 107.3 frequency has an interesting history. After decades of "beautiful music," it briefly became a Z-Rock affiliate, gaining a cult following, before spending the next 22 years as The Wave, a Smooth Jazz station. After two years as an Adult Alternative, Rubber City Radio Group purchased the station in 2011 and immediately flipped 107.3 back to The Wave, and that remained in place until the decision to go alternative after the holidays in 2019. So, stay with me here: we are a Cleveland radio station that is licensed to Elyria, yet our studios are located in West Akron. It can get confusing for some!

7.  Tell us about working at Rubber City Radio. You’ve been at the company for the past 7 years?

After working at one of the larger radio companies, it was a breath of fresh air to be a part of a local cluster. WNWV has terrific sister stations in WAKR, WONE, and WQMX, and we complement each other quite well. WAKR is a legacy station that once employed Alan Freed and Art Fleming, WONE is a pioneer in the classic rock format, and WQMX does not have enough space on the mantle to display all of their CMA awards. I'm beyond proud to work for this company, which not only has a great on-air presence, but is also a leader in the community, hosting a number of charity events throughout the year. WONE has Operation Heroes, WQMX has Bosom Buddies and Tree of Lights, and WAKR has Share-A-Christmas, where all of the proceeds benefit the Salvation Army of Summit County.

8.  What is your favorite part of your job?

Right now, it's that I can close the studio door, make sure no one is looking (and judging), crank up the monitors, and jam to the music!

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

Energy drinks, since I don't drink coffee! 

10.  What would surprise people most about you?

For all the years I worked in sports radio, I cannot STAND listening to sports radio! And that is no offense to my former colleagues and those toiling away in the business, it's just.... not that interesting to me.

You just recently got married. What are weekends like for you?

Weekends are usually packed with concerts, comedy shows, and softball tournaments. My wife is a real trooper to put up with me! We also like to travel when we can, even if it's just a weekend getaway to a nearby city such as Columbus, Pittsburgh, or Buffalo.

I loved your interview with Bobby Valentine on your podcast called, “Check Your Brain.” Tell us about your podcast.

I've never claimed to be an expert in anything, but I know a little about a lot of things. I love old sports figures and stats, Golden Age Hollywood factoids, politics, pop culture, religion, and standup comedy, so why not round all of these interests up into a podcast? I also have a behind-the-paywall podcast on Patreon, where I rant and rave about various topics and give patrons early access to guests. That's Patreon.com/TonyMazur.

  Rank your sports teams in order of passion.

I'll preface this answer by saying I have a different perspective on pro sports since I've been a member of the media and covered these teams inside the locker rooms. I'm admittedly not as passionate about them as I was growing up. But right now, here's who would get me throwing a remote through my TV if they lost:

1. Cleveland Browns
2. Los Angeles Angels
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Columbus Blue Jackets
5. Milwaukee Brewers

You also perform standup comedy?

I do! I've been doing standup since 2014, mainly local due to my "day job." I started because I was "the funny guy at the office," plus I was between radio jobs and needed an outlet to vent behind a microphone. At the time, I was giving tours at the Christmas Story House and Museum in Cleveland, and I'd pepper in some jokes during my monologues. You can find me performing at the Funny Stop in the Akron suburb of Cuyahoga Falls.

What are your favorite places to eat in the area?

Northeast Ohio has some amazing restaurants and breweries. But my wife and I are big into nostalgia, in that we enjoy traveling to areas with once-popular chain restaurants. In Ohio alone, we still have Rax Roast Beef, a Ground Round, York Steak House, and a few Ponderosa Steakhouses left!

Favorite new band over the past year?

YUNGBLUD

First record ever purchased?

Lenny Kravitz - 5

First concert?

Technically, my first concert was when I was six, as we saw Peabo Bryson perform the music to Aladdin. But my first "big boy" concert was seeing Sum 41 on their All Killer No Filler tour, with Goldfinger and Autopilot Off.

Favorite band of all-time?

Queens of the Stone Age

Anything else you would like to add?

I want to thank Thom Mandel, Nick Anthony, Ray Horner, and everyone at Rubber City Radio for believing in me and trusting in my knowledge and talents as we grow 107.3 Alternative Cleveland from square one.