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10 Questions with ... Mark McKay
January 5, 2009
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NAME:Mark McKayTITLE:APD/MD/afternoonsSTATION:WGHMARKET:Norfolk-Virginia BeachCOMPANY:Max MediaBORN:Philadelphia, PARAISED:Cherry Hill, NJ
Please outline your career so far:
Pretty short & sweet-15 years, two sets of call letters! KMLE/Phoenix 1993-1999; WGH/Norfolk-Virginia Beach 1999-present. Gee, it'll be my 10-year anniversary here soon - how'd THAT happen?!
1) How did you get into radio and what was your first job? Did you always know this was something you wanted to do?
Radio was actually a happy accident for me. Like lots of children of the '80s, I was an aspiring Alex P. Keaton and went to college as a finance major (later switched to history AFTER taking statistics & accounting). My two best friends were broadcasting majors, and I started going to the campus radio station at Arizona State with one of 'em and wound up doing a show there. First one, then the second, got jobs in KMLE's promotions department, they recommended me, and 15 years later, here I am. Who knew?
2) You've worn a lot of hats here at WGH and throughout your radio career in general (APD/MD, afternoons, imaging, promotions, also voice-tracking for another station). I heard you even hosted a weekly TV show. How do you juggle all of those duties and also tell us how you got into the TV aspect.
Actually, I still DO wear all of those hats, except promotions (sidebar: thank GOD for Renee Fonner & Jim Bowles!) I'm no different than anyone else in the multitask world; it's all about prioritizing your to-do list day-to-day, figuring out what needs to be done NOW and what can simmer for a couple of days. Unfortunately, it makes me tough to get on the phone sometimes, as you well know! As for the TV thing, it was pretty simple. Our station partnered with Cox Communications locally to produce a video countdown show that closely mirrors the "Hampton Roads 20" countdown that we've been doing on the Eagle for years now. Since I do the radio show, I guess it just made sense that I host the TV version, as well, though I'm not sure ME in high-def is a real good idea! I'm still trying to learn as I go.
3) There's a lot of great music out right now. Tell us about some of the artists/songs you are excited about.
I think what the format is in need of is some new "superstar" level acts, with all due respect to the current ones. Rather than "baby" acts, I'm more excited to see folks like Dierks, Blake Shelton and Josh Turner turn the corner and become headliners. I think all three have that potential, as does Jake Owen in a couple of years.
4) You grew up in Philly, worked in Phoenix and now you live in Virginia Beach. What has been your favorite city to live in and why? Do you miss cheese-steaks or can you actually find some in Hampton Roads?
It's really impossible to compare the three cities, since they all have VERY distinctive vibes. I'd have to say my favorite city to live in was Phoenix, though it's a LOT different now then it was when I lived there-the population has literally doubled since I moved there in '88. Given the fact that the ocean is about three miles from my front door, it's hard NOT to like living in Virginia Beach, though! And there's a fairly decent cheesesteak to be had at a place near our house, but it pales in comparison to the real thing - beggars can't be choosers!
5) You are pretty involved in the CRS (Country Radio Seminar), as a member of the Agenda Committee. What are some things you are excited about this year as CRS celebrates its 40th year? You guys must have some good stuff up your sleeves.
I've gotta tell you, and I'm excluding myself (and Jim Asker), mind you: there are some AMAZING, talented folks on the Agenda Committee who brought some fantastic ideas with them when we met to set the agenda in July. Check out the list at crb.org and see for yourself-lots of stuff worth attending!
6) Who are some of your mentors both in radio and outside of the business?
I've only had three PD's in 13 years on the air, which is rare, but three GREAT ones: in order, Jeff Garrison at KMLE, and Randy Brooks & John Shomby here at WGH. It's hard NOT to learn from guys like that, particularly Shomby, who helped Marconi invent radio back in the day! He's been a great mentor and friend. Outside the business, it would have to be my Dad-in the 2 years since he passed away, I've come to realize more & more just HOW much I learned about life from him.
7) Sadly a lot of great songs seem to slip through the cracks because of many different factors, from playlist size, songs lingering 30 weeks, and just the fact that there's no darn room. In your opinion what were 2-3 songs that should have made it and didn't.
A loaded question, since we all hear music differently, but here goes: "Papa Bear," by Keith Harling; "The Cheapest Motel," by Tracy Byrd; and "Happy With The One I've Got," by David Ball. Oh, and "Bama Breeze," by Jimmy Buffett (I could go on and ON on this topic). And it disappointed me that Katrina Elam never took off-I thought she had "it."
8) What would be your fantasy job if you weren't in radio?
This IS my fantasy job!
9) What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of work? Do you ever get a chance to hit the beach when you have some time off?
Funnily enough, we don't go to the beach as often as you might think! The best time of the year to go is (duh) summertime, and it's crawling with tourists, so it gets to be a hassle. Nothing makes me and my wife happier than playing with our Lab/Golden mix Lola at home-we're slobbering geeks when it comes to her! Also, I watch more TV than I probably should, though I've recently been reading a lot more than I have in years.
10) Working in the music industry, most of us have had those moments where you think, "wow, I really have the coolest job ever." Tell us about one of those times that really stick out in your mind.
It's non-musical, but my occupation has given me the chance to not once but twice go flying in fighter jets-an Air Force F-15, and a Navy Blue Angels F-18. THAT'S about as cool as it gets, and yes, I held my breakfast both times! Blacked out with the Blue Angels, though - no shame in that!
Bonus Questions
1) What are you currently listening to on your iPod or CD player?
On the iPod, it's a serious hodgepodge, and it's on shuffle, so I never know what's coming up. CDs in my car right now include Darius Rucker, Eli Young Band, "hits" CDs from Guns 'N Roses, Def Leppard, etc. and the new Paisley guitar CD, which SMOKES!
2) What Hollywood actor would play you in "The Mark McKay Story"?
Joaquin Phoenix? No, he's retiring. A better question-what Hollywood executive would want to MAKE "The Mark McKay Story?" I'm not even sure that my wife, Mom, OR closest friends would be interested in seeing it.
3) What five albums would you grab out of a burning building?
This implies that I'm courageous enough to go IN to a burning building to get them, but I'm not! Five faves? "Joshua Tree" from U2, Paisley's "Time Well Wasted," "The Rat Pack Live At The Sands," "Sgt. Pepper" and Def Leppard's "Rock Of Ages."
4) Virginia Beach must have some great seafood places. What are some of the classic places that you would take us to- and what would we eat?
Let's start at Catch 31-the seafood tower is NOT to be missed. Then, we could head about 10 blocks down to Tautog's for the Tuna Martinique (the sound you just heard was Bob Reeves calling his travel agent). My FAVORITE meal in Hampton Roads, though? The game pie at King's Arms Tavern in Williamsburg-rabbit, venison, lamb, AND beef? Perfection. And the sound you just heard? PETA, which is headquartered eight miles away in downtown Norfolk (seriously), is about to picket my office for suggesting the game pie.
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