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10 Questions with ... Don Brake
April 9, 2007
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NAME:Don BrakeTITLE:The All Being (Master of Time, Space and Dimension) / PDSTATION:WHWK (98.1 The Hawk)MARKET:Binghamton, NYCOMPANY:CitadelBORN:Morgantown, WV (Home of the NIT Champion WVU Mountaineers)RAISED:Morgantown, WV (Home of next year's Heisman winner: WVU's Steve Slaton or Pat White - take your pick)
Please outline your radio career so far:
My first job was in AC WMQC (Morgantown) in 1991. My first taste of country came at WPDX (Clarksburg, WV) in 1993. My first PD gig was in Top 40, at WFGM (Fairmont, WV) in 1996. The station was sold and turned country. We were all let go. It's now WKKW. My first country PD gig was at WYII (Hagerstown, MD) in 1998. From there it was on to WAYZ (Hagerstown, MD) where I was OM/PD/MD of 4 stations. I came to Citadel in 2004 at WCAT (Harrisburg, PA) as APD. I took my current PD job at WHWK (Binghamton, NY) in September of 2006.
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
My first station was a small operation and a very unique station. It was very lite AC during the weekdays and oldies at night and on the weekend. I was the worst lite FM jock ever!!! I did however meet some great people in that first gig. I grew up listening to Larry Nelson and would wind up doing mornings with him. Woody O'Hara who had been part of West Virginia University's sports broadcasts for as long as I could remember was part of the sales team. He was always willing to offer advice. Kevin Shane was the PD who promoted me to a regular air shift (overnights) and really was the one who taught me the most during the early stages of my career.
2) Will the advent of Satellite Radio affect our biz? Explain!
I've not been too concerned with satellite radio yet, but if the XM/Sirius merger happens and it is done right, I think it will become a bigger issue. I know as simply a consumer I have not had much interest in buying satellite radio because neither service offered all the choices I wanted. Being a sports nut, I want NFL, MLB, NCAA, NASCAR, NHL all on one service.
3) What do you like best about your job? Least?
There are a number of things I like about my job, the listeners, the music, my coworkers, the music, the artists, the music, the friends I have made in Nashville, the music, the excitement of each day being different than the last. And did I mention the music? What I like least about radio in general is the shrinking number of live air staff members and lack of promotional budgets.
4) Who are your programming mentors?
I guess Kevin Shane was really my mentor, but I've been lucky to work with (or against) a number of good people during my career and have picked up pieces of wisdom from all of them including Will Robinson, Steve Davis, Joel Raab, Keith Hill, Shelly Easton, Lacy Neff and Brian Mo. I also would be remiss if I didn't mention a couple of famous Binghamtonians: Jay McCarthy and Mike Krinik. Also the great group of fellow PD's I have here in Binghamton: Matt Johnson (WWYL), Randy Horton (WAAL) and Roger Neel (WNBF/WYOS)
5) Who is your favorite air/personality not on your air staff?
Becca at WKDF in Nashville. She tracked our midday show at WCAT in Harrisburg as well. Day in and day out she always finds a way to make her show compelling and entertaining. She really comes off as your best friend on the air both live and tracked.
6) What is your favorite radio station outside of your own market?
It's not country, but WVAQ in Morgantown is still one of the best stations I have ever heard. It is a shining example that small town radio can sound as good (or better) than the big boys if it is done right. WXTU/Philadelphia probably gets my nod for favorite country station with WKDF being a close second (I still love my legends). WXTU always sounds fresh and the music selection is fantastic.
7) What's your take on current music? Is it as good as say, six months ago? Better than it was? Same? Elaborate please!
I am excited that we seem to have more music choices than ever before. That can only be good. We've seen Broken Bow, Show Dog, Big Machine, Equity and 903 all have various levels of success the past few years to go with all the big boys. Coming out of CRS I was very excited about the new music on the way from Gretchen Wilson, Brad Paisley, Terri Clark, Toby Keith and Jack Ingram, but I wasn't as excited about a lot of the new acts as I had hoped. I do want to tip my hat to all the songwriters in Nashville; you still are giving us the best musical product on the market!
8) In your opinion, what is the greatest song ever that never made it as a hit?
My pick for a single song would have to be "If That Ain't Country" from Anthony Smith. My pick for an artist is Jace Everett. I hope someone gives him another shot!
9) What's the biggest record that you completely missed on? How about biggest artist?
Years ago this young fella from Louisiana had this kinda novelty song. It was pretty popular and did make it into the top 10. I remember as it started to drop off the charts, back selling "Indian Outlaw" one day and saying "Remember the name Tim McGraw because that may be the last you ever hear of him." Doah!
I'm glad I was wrong!
10) Next Superstar Programmer?
Back to Top 40 again: Brian Mo at WQZK. I'd like to think I taught him everything he knows, but he already was PD material when I met him about 5 years ago. I'm glad he's finally getting his shot!
Bonus Questions
1) You are on a desert island...what 5 CDs are in you portable disc player?
I knew I should have bought an iPod: "See If I Care" - Gary Allan, "The Road To Here" - Little Big Town, "Rumors" - Fleetwood Mac, "Volume 1" - Traveling Wilburys, "Delicate Sounds Of Thunder" - Pink Floyd
2) Describe your favorite meal?
A hot dog and a cold beer somewhere down the third base line at PNC Park in Pittsburgh!
3) Have you found out what Spiedie's are and when are you sending us some spiedie sauce?
Believe it or not I did know what spiedies were because I worked with a guy a few years ago that had either worked in this area or was from here. He made spiedies from time to time. I'm not a traditional spiedie kinda guy. I usually go for buffalo chicken spiedies. You'll get your sauce when someone tells me where I can get a pepperoni roll!!!
Editor's Note: A spiedie is a Binghamton classic- marinated pork (or chicken) cubes skewered and grilled, served on French bread. If you're ever in the Southern Tier of Upstate NY don't miss them!
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