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10 Questions with ... Chris Booker & Ted Stryker
June 28, 2022
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. (Booker) It’s a ton easier when you’ve been friends and picked each other up for years prior to joining forces as one. When you know someone is already great, the challenge becomes ‘how do we now become great together.’
(Stryker) My on-air style is to constantly create a good vibe, have some laughs and truly be that companion to all the folks driving in SoCal. Booker inspires me every day! I can get overly anxious about everything; he keeps me calm. He's made me more relaxed!
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
(Booker)
Radio: WOMP/Wheeling, WV; WYAV and WWXM/Myrtle Beach; WJMX/Florence; KISF/KC; WNRQ/Pittsburgh; WXRK, WNEW, WFNY, WNYL WHTZ and SiriusXM/New York; WIOQ/Philly; KAMP and KYSR/L.A.TV: MTV/MTV2/VH1; Entertainment Tonight; TV Guide Channel; and WPIX11/NY.
(Stryker)
Tucson, AZ-- Power 1490, 92.1 KFMA and 1490 The End (1993-1999) Los Angeles - KROQ (1999 - 2021) Loveline for 3.5 years (mid 2000's) Out Of Order for 8 years roughly - still doing it Tuna On Toast With Stryker podcast MTV, VH1, Ellen, Grammy's, Red Carpets plus acted in Grandma's Boy, The Sweetest Thing, Out Cold, Sushi Girl
1. Congrats on your new afternoon show. You guys have been friends and previously went head-to-head in PM Drive for several years inside the same building at then-CBS/L.A on 97.1 AMP Radio and KROQ, respectively. Did you ever think in your wildest dream it would be Booker & Stryker in afternoons on ALT 98.7?
(Booker) Definitely No. Stryker is an inch and a half taller than me. Why would I entertain that?
(Stryker) Thank you for the interview! I never imagined it but I'm very glad it happened.
2. There was a huge mysterious build up on-air and via social that Booker was going to have a new co-host. The Woody Show made the announcement at 7:30a on February 1st and you guys debuted the first show that afternoon from 3-7p. What sticks with you most about that historic day in L.A. Radio?
(Booker) We did the Woody Show that morning, so I remember being exhausted.
(Stryker) I remember feeling so excited and grateful and lucky. I cannot thank Lisa Worden and iHeart enough. Also, The Woody Show, Hudson Christen and Danica (and of course my man Booker) welcomed me with such open arms, which was amazing! It had been 7 months since I had been on the radio in L.A. I love that my first day was the day we announced. We jumped right in!
3. Obviously, this was a pretty big get from a competitive standpoint and investment by iHeartMedia for ALT 98.7 after Stryker spent 20+ years at crosstown KROQ. When the news broke on February 1st, Stryker you stated, "I am beyond excited about joining the iHeartMedia team. I love L.A., and I love being on the radio. I think Booker is amazing and I totally appreciate that he is welcoming me to join him in the afternoon. I'll try my best not to ruin the operation.” Talk a bit about your friendship and how that has helped your on-air chemistry in the short time you have been an afternoon team?
(Booker) It’s a ton easier when you’ve been friends and picked each other up for years prior to joining forces as one. When you know someone is already great, the challenge becomes “how do we now become great together.”
(Stryker) The chemistry helps off air just as much as on air. Neither of us are shy to say to each other off air what we are feeling. Emotions aren't bottled up. We both want what is best for the show.
4. Let’s talk about ALT 98.7 Afternoons With Booker & Stryker, weekdays from 3-7p. Your bio on the ALT 98.7 website states: Listen in on two local guys chatting about Alternative music and everyday life weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m. Think of conversations you would catch at a bar -- that's what you're getting from "ALT Afternoons with Booker and Stryker." Discuss your role on the show.
(Booker) I run the board, so I’m the guardian of dead air. Outside of that, we mostly just dance together. No real secrets there.
(Stryker) Booker is amazing at running the board and keeping the show moving. I handle the text line which at times makes my head and eyes spin. Booker’s the guy that can BBQ and change tires on a car. I'm the guy that has never touched my stove and have no idea how to check my oil. While we're both somewhat experts on the music, I know every word to every song, Booker somehow doesn't know any lyrics. I buy everything I own online, EVERYTHING. Booker’s the guy that loves going to the store. We have so much Ying and yang (more than I expected) He hasn't seen Jaws or Jackass! what the hell!
5. I have breaking news. You guys were born two weeks apart. That’s incredible. How would you describe your on-air style, and has it changed working together?
(Booker) Older definitely means wiser right? He’s definitely made me better. He constantly reminds me to smile and the importance of “energy.”
(Stryker) I don't think it's changed a lot. My on-air style is to constantly create a good vibe, have some laughs and truly be that companion to all the folks driving in SoCal. Booker inspires me every day! I can get overly anxious about everything; he keeps me calm. He's made me more relaxed!
6. The show includes a lot of music and both of you are really passionate about alternative music. You play about 12-14 songs each hour and have a commercial-free hour at 5p. What is your goal for each break?
(Booker) Be better than the last break. Making a connection with each other and the audience is key.
(Stryker) What Booker said. Connect with the audience! We're all in this together. It's a strong afternoon community!
7. Talk about show prep. What is your routine each day? How often do you guys talk or text when you leave the station?
(Booker) We’re constantly sharing ideas via text and email. What is this prep that you speak of?
(Stryker) Scrolling everywhere! How do we take a headline and make that our jumping off point for a chat on-air? And of course, we share what’s going on in our personal lives.
8. How are you connecting with listeners on social media?
(Booker) By asking Stryker to do it. He’s phenomenal at it. I am admittedly the worst with it. I’m not much of a “look at me guy.” Don’t get me wrong, it’s important, but I’m not going to lie, I hate it. Mystique is undervalued and highly underrated in my opinion.
(Stryker) Of course socials are important, the goal is to interact with everyone! As a show, we're getting much more active on Booker and Stryker socials. Early on (first 2 months) we put most of the focus towards the on-air stuff.
9. What is a typical workday like for you before you hit the airwaves at 3p?
(Booker) Reading, clipping, thinking, relaxing, emailing and texting. Stryker and I are very similar when it comes to our rituals in the morning. It’s very important that we’re not exhausted at 6:30p.
(Stryker) It varies day to day, but it always starts somewhat early. I record Out of Order, host my podcast and then it's all about the show. We both get it a couple hours early.
10. What would surprise people most about you?
(Booker) You’d have to ask “people.” I’m just me. I try to be as authentic in this skin as I can be.
(Stryker) I make nachos in my microwave, and I believe iceberg lettuce should be handheld and gobbled up.
Bonus Questions
What annoys you most when you’re on-air?
(Booker) Being bothered by anyone other than Stryker about anything. Unless it’s breaking news or a great show topic, I don’t care 1%, good or bad. That room is about rhythm. It’s a 4 hour Broadway show in my mind.
(Stryker) Clunky. Using too many words. When your vision does not come to fruition on air. I hate that! Overthinking ideas when they should be simply executed.
Tell us about your podcasts and other work-related duties outside of ALT 98.7?
(Booker) I’m the Chris Booker of the “Perez Hilton Podcast with Chris Booker.”
(Stryker) Tuna on Toast (YouTube or listen) We're humming along! Paris Jackson just came over.
Where are your favorite places to hang in L.A.?
(Booker) Rainbow Bar on Sunset is the greatest place on earth. Fight me.
(Stryker) Troubadour and On The Rox and my couch!
What do you enjoy doing when your home?
(Booker) We foster dogs, and we have a couple of cats, so it’s always a S-Show. I garden a lot and grow tomatoes, so I’m in my little yard a ton. Making pasta!
(Stryker) Stream TV shows and movies. I watch and rewatch! Stranger Things 2x. Lost 3x. Curb 3x. The Boys! Mad Men 3x, Family Guy. JAIL. The list goes on and on. All the super new stuff too.
What are you most passionate about?
(Booker) Radio, MLB, NFL, Pets, Family, Cooking and Gardening.
(Stryker) making my wife laugh and keeping my old dog alive. Work.
Who is the bigger sports fan?
(Booker) Interesting question? Probably a tie because he wastes more time watching golf than any other human I know. It’s barely a sport to me.
(Stryker) Booker probably watches more sports but I watch PTI and SportsCenter daily. And yes, I've been known to sit for 4 hours and watch Golf news and tournaments.
Favorite new band over the past year?
(Booker) Cannons
(Stryker) Not all new but...I love grandson, YungBlud, Cannons, love seeing Bob Moses get the love they deserve, love BoyWithUke, Girl In Red, Beach Bunny, Palaye Royal, and The Regrettes,
Anything else you would like to add?
(Booker) 2 inches in height.
(Stryker) Thank you for including us in your 10 Questions. I read every interview in the ALT section every week!
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