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10 Questions with ... Tripp Hurst
January 19, 2009
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NAME:Tripp HurstTITLE:PD/MD/MiddaysSTATION:WVIMMARKET:Memphis, TNCOMPANY:Southern Star BroadcastingBORN:Charlotte, NCRAISED:Memphis, TN
Please outline your career so far:
WOGY/Memphis (1996-2001) - I was the infamous mascot Mr. Froggy. Then I started doing overnights on the weekends and was named Promotions Assistant.
WMBZ/Memphis (2001-2005) - MD/Nights
WMC-F/Memphis (2005-2006) - Part-time On Air
SIRIUS 13/Elvis Radio (2006-2008)
WGKX/Memphis (2006-2008) - Part-time and night guy
WVIM/Memphis (2008-Present) - PD/MD/Middays1) What/who influenced you to get into radio?
I've always had a big passion for music and thought it would be cool to play music for a living. But it was the year I went to my mom's high school reunion and met Rick Dees, was when I knew I wanted to do what he did. Rick graduated high school with my mom in Greensboro, North Carolina.
2) Congratulations on the formation of this brand-new station! Has it overwhelmed you yet? Tell us how you guys got started and what makes you unique from other, more 'mainstream' Country station(s)?
Well, thanks very much! We are having a blast with The Rebel. In December 2007, this station was an Oldies format, and Chip Miller (President of Southern Star Broadcasting) worked mornings for that station and decided to buy the station and flip it to Country. The Rebel is unlike any Country station you have heard before, because, of course, we play new Country. But we also give the listeners those cool 90's Country tunes that most Country stations have forgotten about. We play stuff like, Blackhawk, Joe Diffie, Perfect Stranger and Collin Raye. We also spice up our playlist with some Southern Rock, like The Eagles, Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynryd, and CCR. Because women in the south love to rock!
3) How do you pick and choose the music for your playlist? Because you are known as 'The Rebel', do you try to spice things up with artists like Hank Jr., Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd, or are those more your 'core' artists- who else? What mainstream Country artists fit in with what you are doing- and finally because of your 'Rebel,' moniker, are there some things you definitely would not play?
We definitely played "All Summer Long" from Kid Rock, and we play Hank and Skynyrd. I wouldn't say they are our CORE artists - they are there, like you said, to spice things up. The way we choose music, is simple - if I like it, we play it. We have found a couple of diamonds in the rough. Carter's Chord "Different Breed" has been HUGE for us. Since the first day we played that song, we have received requests for it every day. Rehab's "Bartender Song" has been very big for us as well. If we JUST played everything on the charts, we would be like everybody else. It's great to see songs that didn't do well on the charts, do very well for us. I don't think there is any artist that we would NOT play. If they have a good sounding song, we will play it.
4) You've been in Memphis pretty much your whole life. What exactly do you love about your city, and where are some places (other than the usual tourist stops) that you would take me to, say if I was in town for a weekend?
Memphis is a great town. I would definitely take you to a Memphis Tigers Basketball game. The Fed Ex Forum is one of the most beautiful arenas in the country and the electricity in that place during a tiger game is unbelievable! If it were baseball season, I would take you to Autozone Park to see the St. Louis Cardinals AAA affiliate, the Memphis Redbirds. And then of course we have a TON of great BBQ joints.
5) We hear you are also a stage actor, along with your love for radio. What plays have you been in? And how did you get the acting bug? Do you ever get to see plays on Broadway?
I love getting on the stage. My first time I did a play, was at my church when I was little, I was hooked after that. I have been in Bye Bye Birdie, Li'l Abner, Romeo and Juliet, Inherit The Wind, Catch Me If You Can and I Am A Camera, just to name a few. The two most recent shows I have been in have been world premieres, Beneath Shelton Laurel (based on actual events that occurred during the Civil War) and Hardball (also based on actual events about a Jewish baseball player). These shows were fun to do, because the writer comes and watches opening night. That's kinda nerve racking but we made it thru. Hardball is actually tying to make its way to Broadway. It's a great show and think it would do well. I have actually never seen a show on Broadway, but there's still time.
6) How have people responded to your station so far? Are you guys getting a lot of feedback from the listeners? How do you try to interact with them, and have you taken the Rebel to the 'streets,' to get into the community?
We are getting quite a bit of great feedback from the listeners. Everywhere we go, whether it is a concert, a remote or whatever, People are excited about the blend of music we put together. They say. "You guys play more than just the same 25 songs and we are so happy you guys are in town". Or they call and say, "I haven't heard that song in FOREVER - I forgot how much I LOVED that song." We are in the streets as much as we can to get the word out. We recently had our 1st Annual Rebel Fest with Craig Morgan, Josh Gracin, Rhett Akins and the Dirt Brothers, with proceeds going to the Special Olympics. It was a dang good show and people went away happy. We also had our 1st Annual Holiday Hoe Down with one of the best local acts in the city, the Dirt Brothers. The show is Free and all you had to do to get in was bring one unwrapped gift for Toys For Tots.
7) What up-and-coming artists/acts are you excited about?
Carter's Chord is a favorite of mine right now. And I really am digging on Randy Houser. That guy has got it going on. Those two artists have something in common and that's a cool bluesy feel to their songs. Being from Memphis, I can't get enough of the Blues baby!
8) You did some work on Sirius Satellite Radio's "Elvis" channel. What was that experience like and what were some of the main differences in approach between satellite and terrestrial radio?
That was one of the coolest things I've ever experienced in radio. Not many people know that "Elvis Radio" is actually right across the street from beautiful Graceland. That's what made the gig so much fun. The studio is just one little room that people can watch you work and even come in if you want them to. I met people from ALL over the world. Elvis has some of the coolest and sometimes strangest fans in the world. There were a few differences, but I had to get used to doing a radio show with nothing BUT Elvis and no spots. They also encouraged visitors to come in the studio and talk on the radio, something you would get written up for with terrestrial radio. I know, because I've been there haha.
9) Would you ever consider driving three more hours on I-40 to work in the record side of the business? Why or why not?
Right now, I'm having so much fun at The Rebel that I couldn't see myself leaving. But if anything ever happened, sure I would consider it. I wouldn't mind seeing how things work on that side. Plus, I know there are some cool people I would be working with.
10) What are some goals you have set for yourself and your station this year?
Being a young station, we want to grow and just take a piece of the Country pie. So far, we are on the right track.
Bonus Questions
1) We KNOW there has to be some good BBQ in Memphis. Where would you take us- the Rendezvous? Corky's?
Those are great BBQ places, but there are so many good ones that we would just do a BBQ tour. Get ready!
2) Pulled pork or brisket?
As long as it's wet, bring it on! (Did that sound right?)
3) You can probably give someone a tour of Graceland with your eyes closed by now- have you been dragging relatives and friends through the house of Elvis all of your life?
Actually, not very often at all. But, being a HUGE Elvis fan, I wouldn't mind doing it.
4) What music are you currently jamming to on your iPod or CD player?
I have a lot of Blues on there, along with rock, some Gospel and of course Country. I have several TV themes on there as well - I'm not sure why, they just make me smile.
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