-
10 Questions with ... Billy Dukes
September 8, 2008
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Billy DukesTITLE:Music Director/Night DJSTATION:QDR 94.7MARKET:Raleigh DurhamCOMPANY:Curtis MediaBORN:Riverview, MI. A suburb of DetroitRAISED:Riverview and Grand Rapids, MI
Please outline your radio career so far:
Began at WZUU in 2000, and quickly moved to an on air stunt boy gig at WKFR in Kalamazoo in 2001. Worked at WNWN-FM in Battle Creek, MI from March 2003 to July '06 and WQDR since then.
1. By reading your bio it seems you have had a number of different jobs, paperboy, dishwasher, cook, liquor store clerk, freelance journalist, cook again, ice cream man and bagel maker. When, amongst those jobs, did it become clear to you that you wanted a career in radio?
I actually had those jobs so I could pursue my radio career. I clearly remember when I found my calling. I was 17 and driving my red Ford Escort around Grand Rapids listening to the great classic rock station WLAV. It was a moment of clarity. Unfortunately it took a while, so I got straight jobs through college and after. The ice cream truck was my first gig after graduating- parents were real proud. I just wanted something that was flexible and didn't require mopping floors. It was a terrible job even though it provided some great on air fodder. I quit and found the liquor store job on the same day.
2. Growing up outside of Detroit, a town with some pretty serious rock roots, must have influenced your taste in music as a kid. Was Country a part of your repertoire back then? What kind of music would we have found in young Billy's tape deck back then?
My older brother had a huge musical influence on me, and he was classic rock and blues. I found God in Led Zeppelin, and moved on from there as one does. I'd take trips to music stores, walk into the blues section and blindly grab albums to buy. Then I learned to play guitar, so I gravitated to anything I could learn. I didn't really get into Country until I started working Country. That's the first question listeners always ask: "Do you really like country music?" Yes, I do. Lots of it.
3. Tell us about three people that really influenced your life (not counting family).
Lance Armstrong. I've read all his books and he's amazing.
An author named Paulo Cohelo. He's famous for "The Alchemist" but has so many inspiring books.
Author and Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom, he's a great writer, radio host and public speaker.
This list really paints me as bookish, which is sort of funny because I don't read all that much. There have also been some great musicians, comedians and TV personalities that I've found inspiring. And the Detroit Tigers have had a major influence on me. I'm not sure how, but living through those years of terrible baseball taught me a loyalty I'm sure can't be matched.
4. So, one day you packed your belongings and left Michigan, crossing the Mason-Dixon line into North Carolina. What prompted that move? How severe was the culture shock?
I followed a girl. We got married a year later. She's an art teacher, and those jobs are tough to get in Michigan right now. So we picked a few spots around the country and said we'd both search for jobs and move to wherever worked out. Unfortunately I got a promotion to mornings at WNWN just before she found a job. So she moved, we did long distance for a year, and then I followed. Raleigh is such a city of transplants, so it was very mild culture shock. It's not surprising to see a Detroit Tigers or University of Michigan t-shirt any longer.
5. What has been the biggest surprise to you since moving to the South? Are there any stereotypes that you have learned not accurate? Any that are dead on?
I guess what's funnier to me is how accurate some stereotypes of Northerners are. It's amazing how many people (including friends of mine) move south and begin every sentence with "In New York we" or "In Michigan we," and then they complain about southerners not being able to drive in snow.
I did learn a lesson on accents though. Before I was hired full time at QDR I worked with a speech therapist on my accent. I didn't know I had one at the time. My accent, this is the South! I thought. No one wanted me to fake a southern drawl, just to have a more standardized sound. It worked, but when I return from a trip to Michigan I have to relearn some things.
6. Tell us about a couple of musical firsts. First album you bought for yourself? First concert attended?
I can't remember the first cassette I bought, but my first CD was Aerosmith's "Get A Grip." My first concert was Alice Cooper. I was in the 6th grade and loved it. It was during the "Trash" album days.
7. So when you are not working, what do you do for fun?
I play baseball on a wood bat league. That's a ton of fun and something I never thought I'd do again after high school. I also write a lot, and sneak off with my wife to the mountains or a park or river. We're the outdoorsy/artsy type. I'm getting a dog soon. Not sure what breed, but I know we'll name it Clementine.
8. There is a lot of new music out right now. What have you heard that really excites you?
I'm gonna mention some people, and the record reps will be instantly bugging me to add the song, but here goes. I think Randy Houser is the real deal, and I love the Jamey Johnson album. Crystal Shawanda is a great talent who sings everything with a ton of emotion. We just visited with The Road Hammers, and I hope there is a place for them on the radio sooner than later.
9. Working in the music industry, most of us have had those moments where you think, "wow, I really have the coolest job ever." Tell us about one of those times that really stick out in your mind.
I love meeting the Chesneys, Rebas and Paisleys, but the best moments for me usually involve our listeners. I don't do radio because I'm a music junkie. It's more because I like hearing myself talk, and I love being able to help people. It may be just helping a caller find the perfect song for their wedding, hearing someone win concert tickets for the first time, or raising money for the kids at the NC Children's Hospital. I've been really fortunate to work for stations with great connections to the community.
That said, eating in Garth's "barn" was pretty damn great.
10. If you had not decided on a career in radio, what would you be doing for a living today?
It was never really my decision. I just sort of followed the path that seemed right. I minored in Journalism at Western Michigan University and have done a ton of freelance writing. Perhaps I'd work for a newspaper or magazine. I still would like to some freelance on a more national scale.
Bonus Questions
1. As far as Country artists go, who have you enjoyed meeting the most?
The Van Zant brothers and Steve Holy. I do this bit called "94 seconds with" and Steve's took about six and a half minutes. He sort of missed the point, but he was so funny. Brad Paisley was also very gracious, and Craig Morgan is a lot of fun.
2. If they were making "The Billy Dukes Story," who would play you?
I don't know, but they'd have to have great hair.
3. Now that you are in the South, I am sure you have had some time to take in some good ol' home cookin'. What is your favorite Southern food?
Key Lime Pie. I love it. I like Carolina BBQ, but I recently judged the State BBQ competition and that experience sort of ruined me. Imagine one of every three bites being really bad, yet still having to shovel it in. Plus we had water instead of tea.
I'm not a big foodie, but do I ever miss the coney dogs in Detroit. They can't be matched.
-
-