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10 Questions with ... Mike Vincent
September 6, 2005
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NAME:Mike VincentPOSITION:Afternoon On Air Personality, Scheduling Director, Imaging DirectorSTATION:93.3 WFLSMARKET:Fredericksburg, VACOMPANY:Free Lance Star BroadcastingBORN:March 22, 1967RAISED:Rhinebeck, NY
Brief Career Synopsis:
WKIP-AM Poughkeepsie, NY 1986-87
WSPK / K-104 (Top 40) Poughkeepsie, NY 1987-88
WBPM / B-94 (Top 40)Kingston, NY 1988-92 (nights, middays)
107.3 WRWD (Country) Poughkeepsie, NY 1992-96 (pm drive)
103.1 WGNY (Hot AC) Newburgh, NY 1996 (middays)
107.3 WRWD (Country) Poughkeepsie, NY 1996-99 (am drive)
107.1 WYNY / Y-107 (Country) NY, NY 1999 (weekends)1. What got you interested in radio, and what was your first job?
I was a music major in college, and I came home after my freshman year looking for a summer job. My dad knew a general manager of WKIP-AM, a full service station in Poughkeepsie, NY. They needed part timers to insert commercials and read weather live twice an hour during NBC's "Talknet" show. I came on board and got hooked immediately. Next thing you know, Joe Ryan PD took me under his wing, and showed me how to do a music show. That was all it took...the seed was planted. I think to this day, Joe is one of my biggest influences.
2. If you were just starting out in broadcasting, knowing now what you didn't know then, would you still do it?
Most definitely; however, I was a little overzealous when I first started to "dig in" to my first REAL part time FM job. When I was a part timer, I saw what the Full Timers did, and said, "Cool, I can do that too!!" However, what I didn't realize was that I needed to really KNOW the on air "basics," before even trying to attempt bits, phoners, etc. My first few years as a part timer, I wanted instant headway into "Full Timer Land". What I know now is that it takes patience, a lot of hard work, trial and error, and a case of Extra Strength Tylenol.
3. In today's homogenized world of radio, how do you "localize" and how do you get into your listeners head whether they are on the job, in the car or at home?
There are so many answers to this question. From an imaging standpoint, I think the more you can make "YOUR listeners" part of your station, is a shot out of the ballpark. We have made it a point to incorporate real local people from Fredericksburg and the surrounding area into our liner package. For example, when you record a winner of a contest, get their names and where they are calling from, and edit that out. Transfer that audio to your production room system. Our voice guy does a liner that says "Making new friends from ALLLL over...." and then we insert the audio we transferred over..."Mary Jane from Fredericksburg, Tom from Stafford," etc. With our voice guy doing an outro with our address and calls.
From an air talent standpoint, remember that YOU are not the "sun," shining and beaming down to your local listeners. You have to be the "moon," and reflect THEIR light, to others. What's happening locally and what's hot around your neighborhood will cause more interest then "guess what I did today?!"
4. What is the most unique characteristic of your market and your station?
Fredericksburg is right smack dab in the middle of 2 hefty markets, Richmond, VA, and Washington DC. WFLS is owned by The Free Lance Star, the biggest newspaper between these 2 metros. In addition to the newspaper, this family owned and operated company has an internet access provider, a phone directory, 3 FMs and we lease out an AM to a Hispanic operation. No doubt about it, it's a media conglomerate, and an information giant. Some people may say "Oh Fredericksburg, market #156, how tough can that be?" Well, considering that we are competing with signals from DC and Richmond, and with over 30 signals coming in from all over, you have to be at the "TOP of your game....ALWAYS!!"
5. If you were to leave radio today and choose another occupation, what do you think you'd like to do?
Maybe...perhaps....Own an Italian Restaurant. However, "What do I know about the restaurant business? I know about ordering a meal...that's it!" (Big Paulie from Goodfellas, one of my fave movies)
6. Who's your favorite air-personality not on your staff?
There are a few actually: 1) Al Bandiero from WKTU in NY. 2) Amy Paige from MIX 107.3 in DC (worked with her at WYNY) an amazing personality indeed. 3) Andi Summers from 92.5 WXTU, Philadelphia. 4) Jay McCarthy PD at KMLE (one time nemesis in Poughkeepsie, NY) We actually turned a bitter rivalry into a great friendship.
7. What are you doing better in 2005 than you did last year?
We have some pretty amazing people at the helm of WFLS. Between our long time PD (Jon Reed) and a great OM (Paul Johnson) and the finest crew anywhere (Brian, John, Kristin, Rick, Bonnie, and a VERY gifted weekend/part time staff) ALL these people have brought something to my table. Not only have I learned things from management, but EVERY ONE of our air talent has been a teacher for me as well. I think my interactivity with all of them is at an all time high. I am hearing some great radio come from all the other jocks, and it inspires me in more ways than I could tell you. I think one way to really improve yourself is to sit down and learn from others. Really LISTEN to what they have to say, and open yourself up to new ideas. Once you close your eyes and listen, you may actually find a way to re-invent your wheel.
8. Have you listened to Sirius or XM yet? How does it compare to what we're doing on the commercial side?
As a male, and a guy that loves the "electronic toys and gadgets", I thought it was a neat idea when it came out. Sirius actually comes with my Satellite "Dish Network" package so I get it in my house. However, I think the audio sounds pretty compressed, and sonically there is something missing. When HD-Radio finally starts to boom, I think we are going to see a major comeback for terrestrial radio. Between major digital advances, audio breakthroughs, surround sound capability, and new strategies and thinking of how to make local radio EXCEL, a new era of Radio will really begin.
9. What gets you upset at work and how do you channel your anger?
I think I owe the kudos of this next phrase to Paul Johnson, our Ops Manager.
He reminded me of a scene in "Saving Private Ryan" where a bunch of guys were in a foxhole complaining about many things. They all looked over at Tom Hanks and said, "Why don't you ever say anything or complain??" He responded, "It doesn't help to b*tch horizontally, only UP". Meaning, when you are mad, and are trying to get others on your side, WHAT GOOD DOES IT ACCOMPLISH? It only keeps bad feelings festering within the company. If you want to do something productive, talk to upper level management, don't fuel the rest of the employees with bad feelings.
10. We're over halfway through 2005. What record surprised you so far this year?
I am probably going to get a nasty-gram from somebody, somewhere over this, but here goes. It's probably the latest Gretchen Wilson single, "All Jacked Up". As country programmers and talent, we concentrate a lot of our efforts into family, and family values. We take great effort in promoting non-profit organizations such as Children's Miracle Network, and St Judes, in order to preserve and save lives. So, why in the name of God are we promoting a record that talks about someone getting into their car drunk, and "all jacked up?" Granted, it says "DON'T do it", but in the song, she was drunk and turned the key of the ignition. I know, it's the same story as letting your child watch late night mature tv, but think about it...we aren't like any other format, why start acting like one?? Ok...gotta get off the soapbox now...
Bonus Questions
1) You're stuck on a deserted island and you get to pick one artist to be stuck with you. Who would it be and don't limit it to our format?
Believe it or not, Donald Fagen from Steely Dan. That man is a musical genius.
"The Nightfly" was my very first CD I ever owned, and I think I own 2 CDs of it here at my house as well as the DVD Audio version. His melodic structure and harmonies are simply amazing. Don't believe me? Go buy the CD. Bet you $20 you get hooked!!
2) You just won the lotto and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?
"Would you like me to buy you a Porsche or a Jag??"
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