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10 Questions with ... Storme Warren
June 30, 2008
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NAME:Storme WarrenTITLE:Host 'Country Music Across America'COMPANY:GACBORN:Cincinnati, OHRAISED:Cincy, Boston, Tulsa, Southern California, Nashville
Please outline your radio career so far:
1985-1986 - KCAQ/Oxnard, CA - Broadcast Asst./Promotions
1986-1988 - KCZN/Ventura, CA - On-air/Board op
1988-1990 - KQLZ/Hollywood, CA - Broadcast Asst./Promotions
1988-1993 - CNN/Hollywood - Cameraman, Stage Mgr, Asst. Tech. Dir, Segment Prod.
1993-1999 - Jim Owens Productions/Nashville - On-air personality, Segment Prod.
1999-2003 - Travis Television/Nashville - Senior Producer
2003-current - A Different Drummer Productions - Partner, Exec. Producer, Host "CMAA"
2006-current - GAC/Nashville - Host "Time Collection"
2007-2008 - GAC/Nashville - On-air personality - "GAC Nights-Radio"
2008-current - XM Radio - On-air personality - Highway 161. Congrats on the success of "Country Music Across America," tell us about the show and what you think makes it so successful?
I think we're honest in our approach to Country Music and Country Music fans.
We have fun - No doubt about it. But we also work hard to honor the legacy of Country Music while striking a balance between its history and its future.
In my mind, success comes from doing what feels right.
We're not rocket scientists. We're in the entertainment business.
As long we entertain and inform Country fans, then we've done our job.
I also think that we've created a safe haven on television, void of tabloid journalism.
We are not part of the tabloid machine. We're here to promote Country Music to an audience who wants to know more about it.
2. You started your radio career at an age when most of us where hanging out at the mall with our friends. How did you know at such a young age that you wanted a career in broadcasting? What effect did those early days at KELI/Tulsa have on your career?
It was like pulling the curtain back on "OZ." From an early age, I was a radio junkie.
I remember many long nights as a kid spent with my head pressed to the speaker of my clock radio just waiting to hear what the DJ had to say. I've always loved the magic of radio. And to get the opportunity to be a part of it at such an early age is still surreal to me. Radio, when done well, has the ability to change people's lives. It's not just about the music. It's about creating an environment. The electricity of a well-done radio show still gets to me. It's rare these days. But there are a few shows that have mastered it. "Big D & Bubba," "Bob & Tom" and "Mark & Brian" are examples of shows that haven't forgotten the important elements of what makes radio work with an audience, rather than for an audience.
3. When you were about 16-years-old, your family moved from Tulsa to Ventura, CA. Talk about culture shock! How did that move effect your taste in music and your budding career in radio?
I went from a three-story enclosed school building to a high school with outdoor hallways lined with palm trees. My locker was outside! Seagulls were more a threat to my lunch than bullies. As for music, my Country days of Charlie Daniels, Alabama and Kenny Rogers had already been replaced with the Top 40 sounds of Bon Jovi, Simple Minds and The Outfield. So the jump to Ska, surf-punk and reggae wasn't a long leap. As for radio, it was my experience at L.A.'s "Pirate Radio" that truly made the biggest impact on my career. The play list consisted mostly of Glam-Rock bands like Poison, Warrant and Guns & Roses. It was my first taste of the "big-time" in the shadow of legendary jock Scott Shannon.
During the short life of the station, I learned how to deal with egos, liars, corporate B.S. and the pitfalls of celebrity, all as peon who rarely got airtime. I was a spectator.
It was a great education. And I got paid to learn!
4. You have worked in radio and TV, both in front of the camera/mic and behind the scenes. Do you think having the knowledge of what it takes to produce a TV show/radio show, instead of just being the face or voice, makes you a better broadcaster?
From my experience at CNN's Los Angeles bureau, TNN and now GAC as well as my years in radio, I can't imagine pursuing a role as an on-air talent without gaining knowledge of how the rest of the TV and/or radio machines works. The more you know about every aspect of radio or TV, the better on-air personality you will become. Twenty-five years later, I'm still learning.
5. You recently started hosting a show on XM Satellite Radio, tell us how that came about.
Still not quite sure about that one. All I can say is that Jon Anthony and I have been talking about finding a way to get me on XM for a few years. The new show is purely a result of timing. I'm really looking forward to growing this show from the ground floor up. It's new. It's fun. And it's a return to the medium that made me want to get into this business in the first place. If you're a fan of NASCAR, you'll love this show.
I've already wiped out a number of times, and we're just in the first couple of weeks on air. I want this show to be a true representation of life on Music Row. I want artists, songwriters and everyone who helps create Country Music to feel at home - both on the show and as listeners. I think Country fans will tune in to hear the stories, the raw music and the passion that makes Music City tick.
6. In reading your bio I see that you are a certified scuba diver, an Eagle Scout, novice skydiver, a habitual fly-fisherman and amateur meteorologist. Plus, you have a wife and two young sons. Do you sleep? How do you find time to host a TV show, a radio show, be at almost every event on Music Row, be a dad and husband and pursue your hobbies?
Red Bull.
7. You also, in your spare time, serve on the board of the TJ Martel Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS research. Tell us about your work and how important that is to you.
My father passed away last October. He had lung cancer. I want to be a part of beating the disease that has taken so many people away from their families way too early. I joined the T.J. Martell a few years before my father got sick. I just believed in the work that they do. Now it's personal.
8. Charlie Daniels played a pretty important part in your career early on. Tell us about that.
You don't have enough space in this article to let me tell you how much Charlie has been an influence on my life. In a nutshell- His album "Million Mile Reflection" was the first album I ever purchased with my own money. He was also my first celebrity interview at CNN in L.A. He helped get me a job in Nashville and his wife, Hazel, even helped find me my first house in Music City. Since then, Charlie has been a part of every aspect of my career. I owe him a lot. Twenty years later, I still can't believe he even knows my name.
9. If I remember correctly, you were granted the only interview with Garth Brooks at the unveiling of his statue at The Crystal Palace in Bakersfield all because you noticed something that no one else did. Is that true? Tell us how that all happened.
I showed up to the Crystal Palace a day before the unveiling. The statues hadn't been covered yet. I had a little down time and decided to examine the pieces of art in detail. The ring on Garth's hand just kind of stood out. On the night of the unveiling I asked Garth about it. He didn't think anyone had seen the statues yet. I guess my question kind of took him by surprise. It's pretty funny to look back on. Garth is completely unflappable. However, on that one night, he flapped. I feel bad about it now. If I was in his shoes, I wouldn't someone blowing the surprise. I learned my lesson. There are some things you should just keep to yourself.
10. You get to spend time with a lot of new and up and coming artists. What are you hearing that really excites you?
Jamey Johnson, Ashton Shepherd, Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town. I also can't leave out Montgomery Gentry. I love those guys.
Bonus Questions
1. You recently had the dubious honor of being the first person to use the CMA's new health insurance. What happened?
I smashed my shoulder into a mountain while skiing at the annual "Country In The Rockies" charity fundraiser for the T.J. Martell Foundation. I just so happened to have signed up for the CMA's new plan just one week before the trip. Trust me kids, it's a GREAT plan.
2. What is on your iPod that might surprise us?
A lot of music from my past - Poison, Warrant, Bruce Hornsby, Rush and my two all-time favorite bands, Del Amitri and The Samples. I also have a few Barry Manilow tunes on there. Yep, I said it.
3. What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened since you started hosting "CMAA?"
I hosted a show with Kix Brooks at his winery, Arrington Vineyards. Halfway through taping my host segments for the show, Kix decided to take me wine tasting. Ten glasses of vino later, things got pretty interesting in front of the camera. It's bad enough in the final episode. You should see the out-takes!
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