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10 Questions with ... Jeff Zito
June 30, 2009
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started out with an internship at WSRZ (Oldies 106)/Sarasota, FL. I ran the board at WSPB, which was a low-power AM "information" station. I then went on to WYNF where I did overnights, and moved up to nights after one year. From there I moved to Tampa's WXTB for overnights and weekends. Six months later, I got a call from Lee Daniels, then-PD at WJBX, asking me to do nights in Fort Myers. Ten years later, I have worked every daypart, and now mornings for the last six years with my on-air 50/50 partner, Bob Garrett.
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Assistant golf professional at a country club.
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Michael Jackson's "Thriller".
FIRST CONCERT:
Morris Day and the Time at Six Flags in NJ.
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
AC/DC.
1. What stands out the most about your first few days in radio?
Wow, things have really changed. I remember I used to do production with a razor blade, and cue up CDs. But the first night I ever "cracked the mic," I remember I froze. I had 10 seconds of dead air before I hit the song. Don't get high before your first air shift.
2. What do you like best about living in Ft. Myers?
Fort Myers is right between Tampa and Miami. We are a medium market, but have a minor league hockey team (Florida Everblades) which draws 6,000+ per night, minor league baseball and the home of the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox spring training, minor league baseball, and arena football. Plus it's Florida, so that's pretty good in itself.
3. What are you most passionate about?
I am most passionate about our morning show Zito and Garrett. Those four hours are the most relaxing hours of my day. The headaches start after 10am, but I can deal with them most of the time. Everyone in radio knows an old guy that comes in on the weekend to do an air shift. The old guy tells you he used to be a PD in some big market back in the day when radio was "fun." I used to wonder if the old guy really needed the money that bad. I now realize it's all about the passion for the business. I know I will probably do the same thing in 25 years and be the butt of many jokes.
4. How would you describe your morning show?
Our morning show consists of Bob Garrett, our producer Dumb Chris, and me. We try to have a lot of guests on, mainly comedians. They are funny for a living, so we don't have to try too hard. Some of our regulars are Ralphie May, Jimmy Dore, and Rev. Bob Levy. We have a great comedy club in town and have made a lot of great contacts. We do some produced bits, and other morning show stuff, but we all bring something different to the table. One is loud, one is nerdy and wordy, and the other is just plain dumb. We have averaged #1 in our demo for the last two years, which we are all very proud of. Wow, imagine if we tried!
5. What is your show prep routine?
I thought I told you we didn't try too hard.
6. What is your favorite part of your show and why?
I love speaking with a guest I don't think fits us and being completely surprised with how cool and relatable they were. Perfect example was Ed Asner. This guy is like 100. What does he have to say to our audience of 18-34 year olds? Stories about smoking pot and trippin on shrooms were some of the things this guy was talking about. What a curve ball.
7. What do you find most amusing about your audience? Most annoying?
It is so funny when I think we sucked on a certain bit or break and then people will call in or tell us when we are out how funny that bit or break was. It is annoying and amusing at the same time. I hope the stuff we think is great, doesn't suck.
8. What are you most proud of since joining the station?
Our show was #1 18-34 Men and Persons with a 20 share, and #3 Men 25-54. Probably one of the best days in my life.
9. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Make yourself valuable, and you will have a job.
10. If you could pick your dream job, what would it be?
Bat boy for the New York Yankees.
Bonus Questions
When you're not out on the golf course, what do you enjoy doing for fun?
I like hangin' with that wife of mine Emily, that boy of mine Jakob, and that dog of mine Ted.
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