10 Questions with ... Weslea

NAME:Weslea TITLE:APD/MD/Middays STATION:WBEE MARKET:Rochester COMPANY:Entercom BORN:Albuquerque, NM RAISED:In the mountains outside of Albuquerque

Please outline your career so far:

I started in Albuquerque as a board op for a small AM station owned by HBC. It wasn't long after I got my foot in the door that the morning news anchor left. Just a few months into my career I stepped in to morning news. I also picked up weekend air shifts on HBC's hip-hop station and their classic rock station.

From HBC I went to Clear Channel Albuquerque and I worked there until I graduated from college.

After college I came to Rochester. I worked nights for a year. Then I was promoted to MD/Middays. About a year after that they asked me to take on APD responsibilities.

1) What/who influenced you to get into radio, and what was your first job?

My parents and grandparents always had the radio on. When I was little I would lock myself in my room with my double tape deck and "play radio." My teachers would always say- "talks too much" on my report cards. I'm sure my former teachers would be happy to know I use that skill every day!

2) You were only in radio full time for 14 months before they asked you to take on MD duties, then a year after that you were given APD stripes. What was it like to take on such a big responsibility so early on in your career? Did you feel overwhelmed, or was it something you had prepared for and were ready to tackle?

I was ready. I knew my goals from the time I got into the business. I've always loved the on-air aspect. The more I learned the more I wanted to understand the strategy behind programming. It's exciting to be instrumental in making some of the decisions that make the station successful.

3) What are some artists you are excited about right now?

I'm in love with Lady Antebellum! They are so fun, and they have a completely unique sound. I like James Otto because he's very soulful and Heidi Newfield can sing her butt off!

4) Do you guys MySpace and keep blogs on the station's website? How important is it to stay connected with your listeners?

We all have MySpace accounts that we post events on. It's a nice way to stay in touch with the listeners. Station blogs are very important. What better way to keep listeners engaged? Every day I tie my blog into a talk topic. People can comment by phone or on the web. I've been doing this for over and year and I get just as much traffic on my blog as I do on the phone. It's a great way to use multiple platforms to reach your audience.

5) You and your fiancé, (now husband) Mike, invited all of your family and friends to a big party and ended up surprising everyone by getting married right then and there. Did you guys take that idea from Brad Paisley/Kimberly Williams and run with it or was that something you thought of on your own? Tell us how that all went down.

I know that we weren't the first couple to have a surprise wedding. We did it because we didn't want the wedding to overshadow the reason we were there. We wanted the day to be about us, about the commitment we were making. I've seen so many couples fight while planning a wedding. We didn't want that to be us. It was so awesome standing up in front of our family and friends and telling them they were at our wedding! There wasn't a dry eye in the house!

6) If you weren't doing radio, what would be your fantasy job?

I'd love to work on documentary films. I'm addicted to PBS!

7) Name three songs or albums that have had a big influence in your life and tell us about them.

Dierks Bentley has a song called "Soon as You Can" on his Long Trip Alone album. It reminds me of my husband. He moved from Albuquerque to Rochester so that we could be together.

Live's Throwing Copper album is one of my all time favorites. I could listen to that album on repeat for years! It reminds me of my mid-school and high school years. It's a very nostalgic album for me.

Miranda Lambert's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend album reminds me of planning my wedding. I know they're not all romantic songs, but I would crank it while I was working out or making guest lists.

8) We hear you absolutely love living in Rochester. Don't you guys get like 200 inches of snow there? If we were to come visit and adopt you as our tour guide, where are some cool places you'd take us?

Oh, the snow - it's not my favorite thing about Rochester that's for sure! I would take you to Letchworth State Park. People around here call Letchworth the "Grand Canyon of the east." It's a beautiful gorge surrounded by tons of hiking trails. I'd also take you to the George Eastman house. George Eastman founded Kodak here in Rochester and now his house is a non-profit museum dedicated to photography and film. I could spend hours there. Of course you'd have to go to Nick Tahoe's so that you could eat a garbage plate. It's a Rochester staple. It's Mac salad piled with home fries and hamburger patties (or hotdogs). It's an acquired taste, but it was born in Rochester.

9) What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have any particular hobbies, play any sports or have any other passions?

I go through phases. I love to read, paint and make jewelry. I also love the outdoors, so I hike & camp whenever I can.

10) What was the first concert you ever attended? First record you ever bought?

My mom told me it was Michael Martin Murphy. All I know is that it was after the rodeo at the New Mexico State Fair and I was little.

The first record I ever bought without parental consent was Offspring Smash. I was in Washington D.C. for my 8th grade trip and I didn't think my parents would approve. So I took advantage of the lack of supervision.

1) Name some of the artists you're currently listening to on your iPod or CD player.

Garth Brooks, Jason Mraz, The Decemberists, Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, Modest Mouse, Lucinda Williams, Eric Church, Cross Canadian Ragweed.

2) What are some of your favorite movies or TV shows of all time? I'm betting that some are comedies, am I right?

I only have one show I refuse to miss - The Office. Love it! As far as movies go, I like action and comedy. Boondock Saints, American History X, Airplane, Napoleon Dynamite, Little Miss Sunshine and Spinal Tap are just a few. It's a long list!

3) You've probably met some pretty cool folks during your time in radio. Is there anyone in particular who has made a big impression on you? Who else would you like to meet?

It's fun to meet the famous people, but the people who have made the biggest impression on me are the listeners. We have an annual Radio-thon for Ronald McDonald House. People will call up and donate huge amounts to help people they've never met.

I'd love to meet the Dixie Chicks. You don't have to agree with them to recognize they are strong, talented women - I like that!