10 Questions with ... Blando

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Started out in college radio at East Carolina University (WZMB Z91.3) and did my internship at WXNR at the same time. I worked a year as an intern followed by a year on Saturday nights. After that I got the call that the full-time staff had been let go and they needed someone to fill in some of the responsibilities. I stepped in with no promise of a permanent position. After a few months I was hired on as Promotions Director/midday host. Three years later I got the bump to APD and that's the story thus far.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I have always been a music junkie. I actually stumbled into radio though. I was a Biology major in college and doing terribly so I was looking for a new major. My friend was in Communication and working at the campus TV station. He told me about the radio station which sounded like fun, a semester on the morning show and a few Comm. classes and I was hooked!

2. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were growing up?

I grew up listening to WXNR but back then it was "New Rock 99X." They actually came on the air in '95 or '96 but before that it was our Classic Rock sister station, 106.5 WSFL because that's what my parents listen to.

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

The live music is my favorite part. I love the whole atmosphere of a concert. Seeing the artist with no studio magic to "fix" things and getting that raw emotion of the music and the energy of the crowd. The least is the prize whores. The people who win contests all the time and never show up to the show or never pick up their prize. Stop ruining it for the people who genuinely want to win!

4. How would you describe the music and imaging on WXNR?

We are categorized as an Alt station but we tend to straddle the Active/Alt fence. We play some of the more Alt acts like Cage the Elephant and Paper Tongues but balance that with Active bands like BFMV and FFDP. Our core sound is definitely built around the '90s and the grunge scene though.

5. What makes The X unique?

I think our diversity of sound is a big part of it. We are very selective about the tracks we add to our library so the meat and potatoes of the playlist is rock solid but the newer stuff we are more flexible so it gives us a nice depth of sound matched with the songs everyone knows. And not to sound as egotistical as it does, but I think the personalities also play a big role. Mick (our afternoon host) is a former Army Paratrooper from Colorado which makes for a great connection with all the military in our market while I grew up and went to college here so I have a built in connection with the locals and college scene. Not to mention "Local 99," a show we do on Sunday nights devoted to local and unsigned artists keeping us connected to the local rock scene.

6. What would an outsider find most surprising about the Greenville-New Bern market?

Most people are surprised at how "small" it looks at first glance. Our market is made up of six smaller cities that are 30-45 minutes apart with New Bern being right in the middle of it all. It doesn't have the "city" feel that most Top 100 markets do because it's so spread out which leads to interesting opportunities and challenges.

7. What has been your biggest accomplishment at the station?

Getting the promotion to APD. Having been in the business for less than five years and getting the APD stripes was a big moment for me. I walked straight out of the office and called my parents to tell them!

8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

Pepsi. I hate coffee and I need caffeine!

9. What would surprise people most about you?

That I originally went to school to be a doctor. "Paging Dr. Blando!" HAHA.

10. If you decided to completely change careers today what would you do?

I honestly don't know. I grew up near the ocean and have always been a big science geek so maybe something in marine biology.

What are your hobbies?

Video games, concerts, and anything involving the beach.

Last non-industry job?

Cashier at Sam's Club

First record ever purchased?

Anthrax - Sound of White Noise (on cassette... and I still have it!)

First concert?

Aerosmith in Raleigh, NC back in '95 (my parents told the school my brother and I were sick and took us to the show).

Favorite band of all-time?

Korn or Slipknot.