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10 Questions with ... Anthony "Roach" Proffitt
January 12, 2010
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
After leaving High School I went to seek the fun and sun of Daytona Beach and in those days it was the MECCA of fun. I actually got my AA Degree at Daytona Beach Community College. My first gig was at the local Beach Information station (Boring...but it was my foot in the door). Then I interned at WNFI (I-100) morning show and then got my first REAL gig as the MD for 1380 AM Beach Alternative Radio in 1990. WOW...AM RADIO! We played it all...Front 242, NIN, Jesus Jones, Some new grunge bands like Pearl Jam and Soundgarden and more. We were the hip station even on AM radio.
Then I traveled north to the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) and the home of R.E.M., B-52's, Widespread Panic, and more.... The Georgia music scene in 1992 was awesome! I worked at WPUP (Bulldog 103.7), then after graduating with my degree in broadcasting we flipped the format to Alternative radio and I became MD and then PD in 1994. From there I moved to Ft. Walton Beach, Fl to 99 ROCK where I did nights and was MDr from1996-2000. In 2001 I moved to Knoxville, where I was MD for WNFZ (94.3 Extreme Radio). Then in 2003, I became the PD with the belief of Terry Gillingham and we re- branded the station to 94.3 THE X.
In February of 2006 I moved to Ft. Myers Florida and worked as APD at WJBX (99X). After budget slashes and the reality of our business downsizing I was let go in November of 2008. Then I started Taste Of Music in 2009. I still love radio and have a huge passion for our business, but until the right situation comes along, I am busy with the new show.
1. Explain how a dinner with Nickelback's Chad Kroeger gave you the idea to launch Taste Of Music?
I was doing the "Normal" radio interview with Chad on the bus and he asked if he could cook up some Perogi's. I said sure.... WTF are those. He explained it to me and we began a LIVE interview. I tried all the normal questions about the new album, the single, band etc., but he kept referring back to the Perogi's. Well, if you can't beat them join them, so I started asking questions about the food, how it influenced him, why he likes Perogi's etc.... When the interview was over I got off the bus with a belly full and listeners didn't ask me about Chad but more about his food taste and wanted me to describe the dish more and how could they make it.
I thought...wow...if I ever could make a show FILMING that along with other artist of all styles that would be cool. Well being in our crazy business we wear so many hats that finding the time to focus on the show was just a dream. Almost five years later I lost my job and said maybe this is the time to pursue this dream and make it a reality.
Now with six episodes done and Emmy award winning producers wanting to take it nationally I think this dream may become a reality all because of great support from bands, management, friends, family and the belief that without all of them I couldn't do this. You can see it at www.tasteofmusiconline.com. Thank you all!
2. How would you describe the Taste Of Music show?
I like to say that Taste of Music is not a cooking show..."It's a show that cooks!" We don't just stand and cook ... that's boring. We take the viewer on and adventure with the band on the road, to the bands favorite restaurants or even at their homes. We learn about the artist, their roots, their food roots, their tastes, and why they like what they do when it comes to food. Just like music, we all have different tastes. Taste of Music covers every genre of music from country to rock to pop to rap.
For the time being because of my rock roots and connections I have primarily been shooting rock/alternative artists, but I welcome any of my industry friends to let me expose their artist. This show gives bands and artist a humanistic side and with so many bands being basically faceless this gives labels and management a chance to have their artist featured in a different light while still focusing on what style of music the band represents.
3. What is your goal for each show?
Every show is different depending on the artist. No show is exactly shot the same. We really like to be creative and shoot in a light that best reflects what the artist truly is. If one band has a particular style or attitude we go with that and believe it or not their food reflects a lot on the artist themselves. They are all real people. Just because one band member is crazy he or she may have the most calming delivery when it comes to what they like to eat and their food experiences growing up. It's more than just the now with the artist; the food also makes up part of their history. You find out so much about a person by the food that they like.
4. What is your favorite part of each show?
Wow....each show has been so unique. I think the actual interviewing part and discussion on their food style is intriguing, because it's not the normal questions that most bands get day in and day out. The answers can be very entertaining, not to mention when a band actually knows what they are doing and talking about when it comes to food.
5. Who has been your favorite guest and why?
Ugh.....that's like saying what kid do you like the best. They all have been great but I have to say that not one guest has been disappointing or rude. I think getting to the band is the biggest challenge since this is such a new concept and show. Management has a job to protect their artist and the bands integrity but after they see the final product they all love it. It's something VERY different for the band to do in a limited time that breaks up the day to day routine. I think the best answer to this question is they all have been great in each of their own styles and taste. I know it's very PC but it's the truth. They all have been unique and fun in their own way.
6. How do you line up artists for the show?
This is the toughest part of the whole process. I have to give big props to many of the labels and their management teams especially the crew at Indegoot. I have a good team that I have here which I rely a lot on including a Production Team, Producer, Web Crew, Legal affairs, Still Photography, Transportation, and a Culinary expert. Without them doing their jobs my job is even tougher. I have been blessed to have made many friends in this crazy business throughout the years including bands. They all believe in my silly dream and with out them there would be no Taste of Music.
7. What is the process for recording an episode?
First we have to see at this stage of the game who will be touring with in a 500 mile radius of our home base in Ft. Myers. With a smaller city like this we don't get too many well known artists here. So we travel in our bus (Taste Of Music has its own Tour Bus and Trailer fully equipped with food supplies and tools) to cities like Tampa, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Miami, Jacksonville and more throughout the state of Florida. Eventually we'd like to go nationwide. Once we determine we have a band and a date we send off a brief questionnaire for the band or band member to fill out who is doing the shoot. This gives us an idea of what they like and what we are going to do to create a unique and different episode based on that.
Once we determine that we have a pre-production meeting and brainstorm with the team on what we are going to do for this shoot. Getting to the actual cooking part or restaurant is half the fun. We have to do all the legal stuff as well, like getting permission to shoot artist, locations and even cities. Then we may do B-roll with out the artist before the shoot and sometimes even after the shoot with or with out the artist. With the joy of editing you will never know. We usual get approximately one hour with the artist. Most of the artists are very easy to work with and the cool thing is they enjoy the break from the day to day boring stuff. Once we finish the shoot we usually film some of their show -- 2-3 songs to use for episode, fan reactions, and even backstage footage -- all which is used in the editing process to make the show the best representation for the band and what they are all about. You may even see some out takes! It takes approximately 14 days at this stage to have the show ready after the final shot is done.
8. What is your favorite recipe from the show?
I am a Bar-B-Q guy so I have to say cooking on the grills is my favorite. When we cooked up a feast with Saving Abel including Rib Eyes, baked potatoes and corn on the cob that was pretty cool. Plus the recipes for the dishes can be found after the shoot is posted online at www.tasteofmusiconline.com.
9. What is your goal for Taste Of Music in 2010?
To be able to get this dream off the ground and take it to a national cable network and share with them the passion of this show that I have. I know after watching some of the stuff that is already out there that this show has to at least get its chance to bee seen on a larger level. Once it does I will make sure that it will succeed. So if you have a network, connection, or know someone that does please get in touch with me at (865) 607-0222. The good news I have all the legal affairs done and a team in place already. I'm not looking to become a millionaire, but I just want to give back financially and emotionally to so many people who have given both their time and efforts to me. At the end of the day if you don't dream you can never achieve.
10. After 20 years in radio, what would it take for you to return to radio?
Hmmm....a station that believes in its people and allows them to do what they do best. A station that believes that Programming is as important as Sales and that Promotions must work well with both to be come up with viable ideas that can create and generate revenue. I love the people that get their hands dirty and who aren't scared to take some risks and use their gut and PASSION instead of oversaturated data from people who think they know, but they have no idea at all. A station that isn't scared to say go for it and believes that it's not about the fumble but all about the recovery. I'm at a stage in my life that I am not moving to BO-DANK Alaska just to have a job. Really market size does not matter to me, but quality of life and all the above does. I love radio! There is no better business and I am so blessed to have met so many outstanding people. Be real, not just to yourself but to others and live by the golden rule, treat others as you would want to be treated. If that station, CEO or GM exist and believes in what I wrote above then give me a holler and maybe I'll jump back in the pool. For now I'll let the other fish swim away as the pool gets shallower and shallower and the rich get rich and richer all while focusing on Taste of Music -- it's not a cooking show ...it's a show that cooks!
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Fishing, beach, outdoors, soccer and living.....for now!
Last non-industry job?
I had to lay tile for three months this past year. I think I will stick with dreaming about the success of my show Taste of Music.
First record ever purchased?
Rat - Out of the Cellar
First concert?
Billy Squier and Ratt
Favorite band of all-time?
Queensyrche,
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