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10 Questions with ... Scott Roddy
April 17, 2006
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NAME:Scott RoddyTITLE:PM Drive APD/MDSTATIONS:WLHK, HANK FMMARKET:IndianapolisCOMPANY:EmmisBORN:Trafalgar, IN 4/17/75RAISED:Indiana
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
10 years with Susquehanna at their Oldies outlet in Indy and with country WFMS and WGRL. Country working with Kevin O'Neal in Florida.
1. What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
On the air at WCBK/Martinsville, Indiana at the ripe old age of 14! I grew up idolizing Top 40 jock Paul Kinney. His slick phone intensive show made me want to put people on the air. Dave McKay, who's down in Tampa now, was the first morning guy that I really connected with. Charlie Morgan taught me the essentials of the basics.
2. Can you be a boss and also a friend to your employees? Why not?
Mutual respect. Effective communication. Teamwork. I think that can only lead to close relationships.
3. If you are wearing more hats today, than say last year, what area is suffering, and what are you doing about it?
My damn personal life! I'm married to my station and its lifestyle. I need to date someone who doesn't mind me working 16 hours a day, going to flea markets on the weekends to see our listeners, and embracing NASCAR as a religion! So? What am I doing about it? Obviously nothing since I'm sitting in my office in the sixth hour of my Saturday off typing answers to an All Access questionnaire!
4. What do you think of National Contesting? Is it effective?
I've never been a part of it. I've yet to hear a model that sounds compelling enough to make the listener really passionate about it. If we're to focus on what makes our station stand out and be truly stellar, then how could something on a national level that doesn't directly become a personal part of our P-1's lifestyle make an honest difference? I believe that our station belongs to our listener and our listener belongs to us. I believe our listener deserves more attention from us than a cookie cutter national contest.
5. Will the advent of Satellite Radio affect our biz? Explain!
I'm not sure that paying for radio has ever worked. I have XM. (It came with my car.) I really appreciate what they're doing. We are so focused on being local and interactive that I don't think our listener can get the same service that satellite offers.
6. What can we be doing with our station's web sites to better our stations as a whole?
Make them less crowded and targeted to our listener! If we're doing that on the air, then why aren't we going to that length to do it on the web? Our IT department is outstanding. I've been to several different station websites though that are information and sensory overkill.
7. Who are your programming mentors?
Oddly enough, Don London. I was 16 working part time for Don at WZPL. Don was the master of being concise, topical, and slick. Ted McAllister. Ted forced us all to learn how important the audience is. Getting the music right is easy. Making the listener the star makes the talent the star. It's such a simple concept that I think people still miss today...the power of your station is exploiting the niche (of whatever format) into a private personal passion for the listener. Ted is has always been very focused on giving the listener exactly what they want.
8. Who's your favorite air/personality not on your air staff?
Buzz Brainard
9. What is your favorite radio station outside of your own market?
Z-99.9 Grand Cayman...okay, just because it's a hell of a good time to listen to while I'm down there. Who wouldn't want to play Top 40 in heaven?
10. Next Superstar Programmer?
Chris Edge. WNOU. He's got it going on. When he's on his game, he really can't be stopped.
Bonus Questions
1. Do you read.....everything? Books, Magazines, etc. Nothing? What's your favorite reading material?
I'm a total nerd. (Again, perhaps why I'm single...that and the face for radio.) I'm an espionage FREAK! I've been through Clancy and just finished all of the Vince Flynn stuff.
2. Do you have Musical Guilty Pleasures?
Um...I'm not allowed to admit that I love the Black Eyed Peas being a country guy now, am I?
3. You are on a desert island...what 5 CDs are in you portable disc player?
Fleetwood Mac-Rumors
Fleetwood Mac-The Dance
Lindsey Buckingham-Out of the Cradle
Clint Black-No Time to Kill
The Very Best of Randy Travis4. Describe your favorite meal?
Eating is my favorite sport! The best though? Dry rubbed ribs, fried chicken, sweet potatoes, pan fried cornbread, greens, fresh onions, and peach cobbler!
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