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10 Questions with ... Steve 'Scrubs' Stewart
June 11, 2007
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TITLE:PD/Morning HostSTATION:WTNR-THUNDER 94-5MARKET:Grand Rapids, MI (#67)COMPANY:Citadel BroadcastingBORN:1/19/72 Wakefield, RIRAISED:Wakefield, RI
Please outline your radio career so far:
(Present) WTNR Grand Rapids MI PD/Mornings,
(2004-2007) WGTR Myrtle Beach SC OM/Mornings,
(2000-2004) WPKX Springfield MA APD/Mornings,
(1995-2000) WRZE Cape Cod MA MD/Mornings,
(1988-1995) A Bunch Of Other Stations!!!1. What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
Morning show local sports reporter 1988. Ironically I grew up listening to Imus, Soupy Sales, Howard and others. WNBC came in where I grew up and it was my parents that actually got me into listening to the radio, it's really weird listening to an early Howard bit with my Mom! Do you remember Tennis With Balls??? HAHAHA
2. What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
This market is very similar to a Southern market just minus the Southern Drawlllllll. Grand Rapids is a very religious, conservative area and the people are extremely protective and proud of where they are from. They LOVE Country music out here. Unlike a lot of markets up North, Country is HUGE here. People actually admit to loving it unlike some other markets I have worked in.
3. What format does not exist that should? Would it work?
A TRUE TOP 40! Not a Jack format but a true HIT driven station that plays everything from Keith Urban to Akon. At one time it was like that but that all changed. I don't mean playing a boutique song for a little bit, I mean playing it because it's a hit no matter what format its married to. How 'bout this play list, "Startin' With Me" into Mims into Papa Roach and so on. No older golds, just currents and recurrents from different formats, talk about A.D.D. radio! Would it work? Probably only in a place where the PPM was being used! Other then that it would probably last a week! Hahahaha
4. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
I am not the smartest one in the room.
5. Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
TIME MANAGEMENT! I still suck at it and wish I could get more done in a shorter time. Either I need to do that or pick up some more Adderall for my extreme ADHD!
6. What's the closest you ever came to getting arrested for an on-air stunt? Or did you actually get arrested?
I can't tell you that!?!?! ARE YOU NUTS??? If I admitted to anything like that I would, well, get arrested!!! It wasn't me I swear!
7. How do you keep tabs on the competition?
I look across the street and wave. Oh hey, there goes Doug now! "HEY DOUG, SAY HI TO ALL ACCESS, hmmm, he just kept walking."
8. How do you interact with your sales staff?
I get in the trenches with them. I am probably TOO sales friendly at times. They have a tough job and I try to help them stay on track with the station vision as much as possible. They are scared to come up to the programming floor but you will often times find me bombing in on them on "their" floor!
9. What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
Be open-minded to every idea from everybody. Some of the best promotions and giveaways have come from the people you would least expect to get them from. Also, learn what not to do from your peers just as much anything else you learn.
10. As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
Regrets, I've had a few- wow, insert cheesy morning guy bit. Nah, every opportunity has been for the better and has taught me great lessons.
Bonus Questions
Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?
Elvis, the early years. No, maybe the fat years, he was probably more fun then.
Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?
I really like Irish drinking songs- seriously!
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
This, believe it or not, this was my childhood dream.
You just won the lotto and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?
First, how much did I win? No matter what this is how my side of the conversation would go, "Hey Matt, I just won the Lottery, oh uh huh, of course I will be into work tomorrow morning. No, don't worry- oh that noise (insert wave sfx and a bucket of coronas clinking)? Hey I'm in a bad cell area right now, lets catch up tomorrow after the show." OF COURSE I WOULD BE BACK AT WORK!!!
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