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10 Questions with ... Dave Michaels
April 4, 2006
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NAME:Dave MichaelsTITLE:Music DirectorSTATION:WQHK (K105)MARKET:Fort Wayne, IndianaCOMPANY:Federated MediaBORN:Cortland, NYRAISED:Cortland, NY
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
How can you make a 20-plus year career brief? You want the resume? Or the highlights! The bright spots were WPXY/Rochester IN 1988, KWOD/Sacramento IN 1989-90, 8 years at WKFR/Kalamazoo (5 of those as PD) as well as 3 years as PD at WSTO/Evansville. Even my 2 years as PD of WBTU here in Fort Fun is a highlight for me. I worked with a lot of great people there!
1. What was your first job in radio?
My 1st job was running Rick Dees at WOKW/Ithaca, NY. I worked my way up to APD/MD Morning Drive over 4 years there.
2. Can you be a boss and also a friend to your employees?
I would think you have to be, up to a certain point. I've worked for bosses who say, "I'm your boss, not your buddy." But, life is so much better if you like the people who work for you and you like the people you work for. There are times that you have to say, "I'm your boss", but if you have a good relationship with your people, they'll respect you and it won't hurt a friendship.
3. What do you think of National Contesting? Is it effective?
I'm not a big fan of National Contesting, but I think National Contesting can be effective, as long as you have a local aspect to the contest. In other words, a huge Grand Prize nationally, but all the rest of the prizes feeding into that Grand Prize are locally won.
4. What do you like best about your job? Least?
I most like coming to work every day. What other business can you say that about? My wife hates it when we go on vacation because I can't wait to come back. This job is FUN! My dad told me long ago that when a job was no longer fun, it was time to move on. I'm still having fun. There's not really any aspect of this job or this career that I can say I don't like.
5. What do you plan to differently in the next year regarding work and family?
I already made that change last year. I wanted to spend more time with my family as the boys grow older and by coming here to K105, I'm able to do that. I'm actually taking my 2 youngest boys to school every day now, something I was never able to do before. Over the years, my priorities have changed, and the family has to come first.
6. What is your favorite radio station outside of your own market?
I like listening to all types of radio. I really don't have a favorite. When I travel, I'm all over the dial listening to what everyone is doing. When I'm in Indy, I like listening to WZPL and WFMS. In Detroit, I'll check out Dom Theodore's Channel 95.5. Other than that, it's hit or miss.
7. Favorite artist that you have met?
Believe it or not, I'd have to say Barry Manilow. It was a great show, and my wife had a most excellent time, and he was extremely gracious at the Meet and Greet. He made Peg feel special.
8. What's the biggest record that you completely missed on?
I didn't miss it, but my PD at the time did at WOKW, we were the ONLY Top 40 station in the country not playing Madonna's "Like A Virgin." Even though it was number one in the country and the panel was 147 over 148 (we were the exception)! The station never did play the record.
9. Most surprising record of the past 12 months?
I didn't miss it, but I was very late on it, the Jeff Bates "Long Slow Kisses". What a monster that turned out to be!
10. Next Superstar Programmer?
Some guy by the name of Dave Michaels (lol)
Bonus Questions
1. Do you read, everything? Books, Magazines, etc. Nothing? What's your favorite reading material?
I read EVERYTHING! Both daily papers every day, any magazine that I come across. I currently have 3 different books going, depending on which room of the house I'm in. That's something that was instilled in me early, and I'm trying to pass it onto my kids. I think reading for fun is becoming a lost passion, and that's sad. There's nothing more enjoyable than a good book!
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