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10 Questions with ... Matt Lee
June 2, 2009
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NAME:Matt LeeTITLE:MD/afternoonsSTATION:WARQMARKET:Columbia, SCCOMPANY:Innercity BroadcastingBORN:Honolulu, HawaiiRAISED:Washington DC Metro, Northern VA
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Did some college radio, got a job at a Top 40 station, snagged a weekend shift, eventually became a swing jock, the PD that believed in me moved on. His replacement (who shall remain nameless) told me that I had no talent and I'd never amount to anything in radio. I think he's actually out of the biz now. Anyhow, I transferred to a rock station within the company. Moved my way into programming and ended up down in SC at WARQ.
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Schlepping food and beer to unappreciative, non-tipping a-holes.
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Ozzy's "Tribute"
FIRST CONCERT:
Iron Maiden/Anthrax at The Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
I guess that would have to be the band that I've seen most in concert: 311 (15 times).
1. What do you like best about living in Columbia?
I have become increasingly appreciative of the weather here. I hate cold and snow...it seriously sucks. Give me a day on Lake Murray and some cold beer and I'm a happy guy.
2. What are you most passionate about?
I suppose the proper answer here would be my future wife. I'm getting married in October and I'm extremely focused on that and actually concerned about someone other than myself. Imagine that. Who knows, perhaps the next time I do "10 Questions," I'll be answering this same question with "my kids." That is, if I don't do it again for a loooooooooong time.
3. What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is getting that rewarding feeling when a listener thanks you for a prize or a great event. Appreciation is always appreciated. I stress a lot about upcoming events and like to make sure they are successful and they almost always are. When I look back on it and come to the conclusion that listeners enjoyed it, I'm happy.
Not to mention, that getting paid to go to bars and concerts is pretty awesome.
Plus, my job used to get me chicks. I behave now.
4. Why led to WARQ's strong Winter '09 Book?
I think the whole "Live and Local" thing will always be important to the success of this station. Little things like on-air phone calls and the jocks actually being accessible through appearances are greatly underestimated and devalued at other radio stations.
5. What were the highlights for the station?
We lost our old night guy Cataldo when his family relocated and we miss him greatly. He's a helluva guy. But we added Chris Fonte to the lineup and he's done a great job for us thus far. Plus he is unmatched in the production room. He and I reimaged the station and took a totally different approach that seems to be working. No more long, silly drops in our sweepers... just short and to the point with stellar sfx. I think the station sounds very sharp.
6. How has the station changed musically in the past year?
I wouldn't say that there's been much of an "intentional" change. I would say that we are a bit more diverse than we've ever been. But that's more because of the quality of music that's been serviced. If it's a good song, it's a good song regardless of the genre. We try not to limit ourselves to a specific sound. A hit is a hit. There are not too many stations that are playing All That Remains and Franz Ferdinand.
7. How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?
With all the shakeups lately with the bigger companies, we are distancing ourselves further with the "live and local" thing. I'm sad to say that a station like ours is becoming more of a rarity everyday. Our competitors continue to be more automated which sucks the life out of the local flavor. I would say that other stations in the market also sound very good however. And that's fine because it keeps me on my toes.
I love the fact that we have three sports stations, especially during football season. Although I've gotten a bad taste in my mouth for both USC and Clemson fans in my time here. If you've ever watched a football game with them, you'd know why.
8. What are you most proud of since joining the station?
Well, it has been almost four years now and I'm proud of a lot of things. The product that Dave Stewart and I put out on the airwaves everyday is my pride and joy. We get calls all the time from soldiers at Ft Jackson who truly enjoy our station. They've been all around the country and the world and I constantly am told that they love our station more than any other that they've heard. I get calls and e-mails from these guys when they move on telling me that they wish they had a station like Rock 93.5 in their city. This station is my baby and I'm very proud of it. It rules!
9. What stands out the most about your first few days in radio?
I knew in my first few days in radio that this was the job that I wanted to do for the rest of my life. For me, most other jobs would suck monkey balls.
10. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
I'm a lucky guy to do what I do for a living.
Bonus Questions
When you are not obsessed with football, what do you enjoy doing when you are away from the station?
I spend time with my soon-to-be-wife and my dogs. Wedding plans have been quite tedious and time consuming. If I could get away with it, I'd be happy to hop on a plane to Vegas and get it done. Unfortunately there'd be a line of people wanting to execute me for even suggesting it.
Once that's all done, I'm considering donating time to the local animal shelter here in Columbia. I believe that dogs are probably better than most people out there. They will love you unconditionally in return for food, water, shelter, and attention.
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