10 Questions with ... Scott Reilly

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Started out in 2001 with the promotions department at WJSE after getting the boot from The University of Tennessee in 2000. Asked our MD at the time Jason Ulanet if I could grab a weekend shift and he threw me a 12am -6am Sunday Morning bone, I was the lead-in to a Christian Rock Show. Worked my way to getting afternoons at WJSE in 2003 and was joined by Alex Balcerski in 2004 and created The Scotty And Alex Show. Took over mornings in January 2006. Then November 2006 we went to WYSP for nights under the Free FM debacle. Got fired in September 2007 and bounced back to WJSE in March of 2008 doing afternoons. In August of 2008 I jumped to mornings co-hosting the "Morning Edge" with Joe Borsello and Billy Horst.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

These four people: Howard Stern, Pierre Robert, Roche at DC101, and Jason Ulanet at 96.5 The Buzz in Kansas City. All guys I really admired and had a love for the industry.

2. Why did you decide to return for a second stint at WJSE?

I had been fired from WYSP and had a chance to correct the station I started with. They had gone from Alternative to Active Rock and had "Mancow In The Morning". There was no life and no ratings! I had a chance to help fix the station I loved.

3. How has the station changed under Atlantic Broadcasting?

When I came back in 2008 the station was a weird hybrid of Alternative/Active and had no ratings, I got the chance to sit down with the Director Of Programming (Paul Kelly) and our GM (Brett Denafo) and told them how the old JSE worked being a cutting edge alternative station. Both Paul and Brett saw the dream I had for the station bringing it back to its glory. They took a huge chance listening to someone they had just met a month before. The years of 99 thru 04 JSE was a force in Jersey; my goal was to bring that magic back! This last "book" we started that!

4. What led to WJSE's latest ratings success?

Paul Kelly is that answer! He was the fresh blood that we lacked. He brought a "Top 40" feel to a station that was a lame duck. Paul took his time and listened to people that had worked during "the good" years at JSE. We went back to the roots of "pure alternative" and used our promotional department really hard, we went everywhere. The group I'm working with now is the best I have ever worked with and they really, truly, and not kidding....love the station! We didn't have the "Big" contest but just had a solid string of good giveaways.

5. What makes the station unique?

Local, loyalty, listeners have embraced the station like a family. Our listeners have really grown with us in the past two years.

6. What part of your job do you like best? Least?

Best: Connecting with the listener every morning, or trying at least.

Least? The wake up call at 3:15am, or maybe going to bed at 7:30pm!

7. How would you describe your morning show?

The cousin that you like telling stories about but don't want over for Thanksgiving.

8. How do you sort through all the new music each week?

I'm not a music snob at all; some guys I have worked with find it painful that some songs don't see the light of day. I see what we do as a business and not my I-Pod. Charts are my friend and the ratings reflect that!

9. What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?

I love the show "Ally McBeal," my wife got me the entire series for Christmas. I love a dancing baby!

10. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

WMMR for music and Howard Stern on WYSP for Talk.

What are your hobbies?

Cleaning the house. I have developed a phobia!

Last non-industry job?

I delivered ice to the worse city in America (Camden, NJ).

First record ever purchased?

Either Aerosmith "Pump" or Billy Joel "Stormfront."

First concert?

My brother took me to see James Taylor at The Mann Music Center in Philly. He had good taste!

Favorite band of all-time?

Not a Question, The Band. It doesn't get better than Levon!