10 Questions with ... Tanya Burko (Jessie Roberts)

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

WGGY for the last 8-years.

1) The first thing I want to ask is how you managed to get away with not having a 'frog name?' How did you get away with Jessie Roberts?

I started at Froggy when I was 16 years old, so to even get a name was a huge deal to me! Luckily, my PD at the time, Mike Krinik, wanted to portray a cool/hip image (Think that's why I was hired?) and was phasing out "frog names" just as I became a part of the team.

2) Why did you get into radio in the first place, was it always something that you wanted to do?

I was the nerdy girl in high school who was a member of countless speech clubs. The only thing I loved more than talking in front of groups of people was music. A career that combined two of my passions seemed to be right up my alley and I was fortunate enough to have someone take a chance on me. I guess nerds do prevail after all.

3) On your Facebook page it says that you love dissecting song lyrics for quotes. Give us a couple of your favorites.

You can never go wrong with classics like "You've gotta fight for your right to party!" HA! Actually, my favorite is from Mary Chapin Carpenter - "Accidents and inspiration lead you to your destination." Also, Lady Antebellum's "I Was Here" - "And I know that I will do more than just pass through this life; I'll leave nothing less that something that says I was here" is pretty inspirational.

4) You became Music Director a couple of years ago. How have you grown and evolved since then?

I would have never expected to learn as much, build as many relationships or make and answer as many phone calls as I have in the past two years. Being a Music Director is unlike anything I have ever tackled - multi-faceted, challenging; yet exhilarating. It's a big deal for me to be able to share new music with my listeners. And if I have negative feedback to report, I'm able to hold my own - my dad's a used car dealer. :)

5) You guys play a lot of music at WGGY, especially in the scheme of things today. How do you and Doc (PD Doc Medek) work together in that regard? Are you both passionate about the artists?

Our work relationship is similar to a marriage - I fight for something and if he says "No," I think of a way to make it seem like it was his idea. I'm kidding, of course. Doc and I are a great team because we both like different flavors and styles. He has a pop background. I was raised with country. It's a formula that works.

6) Who are some of the newer artists that you are extremely passionate about and why?

Lately, I can't stop listening to Easton Corbin and Steel Magnolia. We did a show with both acts in November and though they're relatively new to the format, the line of listeners waiting for a picture and an autograph was over an hour long. I'm also fascinated by the effect Jason Michael Carroll has on our format, and on WGGY listeners, in particular. For me, personally, I LOVE Randy Houser! I think we'll be seeing even bigger things from him in 2010.

7) Who are some of the mentors that have guided you in your career so far?

Wow! Considering I've been at Froggy for nearly eight years, it's easy to say quite a few people have taken me under their wings. Mike Krinik was instrumental in getting this whole ball rolling and teaching me how to constantly make promotions, contests, bits, etc. seem larger than life. Jaymie Gordon, our former music director, taught me how to talk to listeners and be yourself, while on the air, versus talking at them. Doc Medek, my current PD, is the best storyteller I know. He proves time and time again a well-delivered punch line makes you the funniest person in the room. I have yet to master that technique.

8) What would you like to be doing in five years?

Something that makes me happy. I really love this business, every aspect of it, and I live and breathe it every day from Twitter posts to finding new music to jotting down a situation I noticed in the mall that I believe would be a good phone topic. The second those types of situations become a "job," is the second you should take time to reevaluate. So, in five years, as long as I am still waking up excited to go to work, give everything I've got and still loving every minute of it, that's enough for me - oh, and I guess more money would be nice too. :)

9) Scranton-Wilkes Barre is not an area that gets a lot of respect as a destination. Where would you take us to prove that wrong if we popped up for a visit?

Come on, Jim! We have a casino now! :) I was born and raised in Northeast PA and it's amazing to me to see how this area has really started to boom. From new businesses to new shopping centers, an arena, etc. all creating new jobs, our little area of the map is certainly a place to visit. Plus, I hear there are quite a few stories from The Woodlands circulating the industry. For entertainment sake, put that on your "Bucket List."

10) Why are you such a fan of the '80s? Who are some of your favorite artists from that era?

I was born in the late '80s so I feel like I missed out a bit. To me, that was a period that helped revolutionize music. Music from that era doesn't sound like anything else you've ever heard. Besides that, anyone who's ever seen my hair can understand why I love bands like Bon Jovi, Motley Crue and Poison. We all have something in common - Aqua Net.

1) Your bio says that you curse a lot. What's your favorite curse word? Go ahead, you can say it.

I'm not sure where you got your information from, but I'm a lady. Okay, a lady with a potty mouth. Sometimes, there is no better feeling than letting an "f-bomb" fly. (Sorry, dad!)

2) What was the first concert you ever attended?

Collin Raye - 1998

3) What do you say to record reps that try and work you for adds on Facebook?

See "Bonus Questions, Answer 1" followed by "off." Ha! Facebook is a distraction from work, not a place to be worked. :)