10 Questions with ... Joe Wade Formicola

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I have achieved more than I ever thought I could - God has blessed me in radio.

I won many awards from being inducted into the Career College Hall of Fame, CMA Major Market Personality of the Year, Billboard Awards and others. I have met some people over the years who became my friends, who love this business. My wife and I raised two great kids on my radio career, and I have many great memories that I will keep forever.

1) Congrats on your new gig at Dial-Global! How do you like it so far?

I can tell you with all honesty this is the most fun I have had in radio in 20 years. When Beau Phillips called me and mentioned the job, I was not sure how I was going to like it, but to be on 30 to 40 stations across the nation and be really a part of that station is amazing. I do local weather forecasts using their weather jingles, I can put local people on the air and talk about local station events. This new system is the future of radio; when you can get major talent to be a part of each station and their communities, radio stations can now grow again. What I love about DG is that it's about talent. I work with great talent, names you would know from all over. I was trained by a great talent and production wiz, Steve Cassidy, who worked many years right here in Denver, and turns out we were both part of the old Shamrock Broadcasting company. So, I feel blessed to be able to do great radio and just entertain!

2) You have a ton of experience in Talk radio, and you also just scored a new gig doing a talk radio show part time on a sister station. What are some of the topics you cover? Do you miss doing talk radio full time?

Well first, thanks to DG for allowing me to do my part time talk show on WPTF. My topics range from politics to pop culture. I cast a wide net. WPTF is blessed with a great PD Brian Freeman who gives us room to entertain. WPTF is a big stick in Raleigh. I love my DG job and doing radio is my love, so my country background is what I am known for and talk is a big part of my career also, but I will say, talk has taught me to be a better music radio talent. Doing several formats also helped me to be a successful OM/PD in many major markets.

3) What/who influenced you to try a career in radio? Did you always know this was something you wanted to do for a living?

Not really. I was lost after high school. Going to college pursuing a business degree. I met a friend from high school, and asked him what he had been doing. He said he was in radio. He went to a local broadcast school in Detroit. I said I was going to try it. So I went to college during the day and the Specs Howard Broadcast School at night and worked for my dad on weekends.

4) Aside from your work in radio, you also have experience in TV, marketing, advertising, sales and public relations. What do you feel is your strongest suit, and which area would you like to be stronger at?

I'm thankful for my gift of creativity. I have written many award winning spots in both radio and TV. My good friend Rich Styles owns an ad agency in Raleigh and has asked me often to create spots for some of his clients.

5) Who have been some of your personal mentors, both inside and outside of radio, And why?

Well, Eddie Weiss was my GM in Raleigh at WKIX and a big fan of mine. He often told me that I can be as good as Rick Dees, Dick Purtain and others. The only difference is they have help. So when Barry Mardit called me to do mornings at WWWW in Detroit, Ed told me, "Now you have help." And he was right. I had great help like a producer with great talent Ken Warzybok and co-host Dina Harding. We went on to win the CMA Major Market Personality of the Year and grew W4 ratings in morning drive to #2. W4 was the top country station in America in for nearly five years. Also people like Keith Hill, Scott Meier, Bob Schuman, Beau Phillips, Bill Curtis and my good friend Barry Mardit and my family, my wife Ellen, daughter Emily and son Joseph.

6) What are some artists in the Country format that you are excited about right now?

Well let's talk about some new acts that look like they can make it:

• Gwen Sebastian on Lofton Creek
• LoCash Cowboys on Stroudavarious
• Jerrod Niemann on Arista
• Eden's Edge on Big Machine
• And a lady named Tonya Rose from North Carolina

7) What do you like to do for fun on a rare day off?

I like to spend time with my family and my wife. We enjoy watching TV shows like Lost, V, Flash Forward and 24.

8) What is your take on the industry today? It's changing every day. Where do you see it heading these next few years?

I must say Dial-Global New Live and Local are on fire right now. We are not voice tracking, we are part of each local station and we offer great talent. TALENT IS BACK!

9) Among your many achievements, you have won several awards throughout your career, you were the only talk radio host to score an interview with Bill Clinton in Detroit and you've been honored by the Governors of North Carolina and Michigan for your outstanding performance in radio and TV broadcasting - just to name a few. What has been your proudest moment so far?

I just feel blessed to have a job with health care. I have worked for great stations and great companies. But right now it's just all about doing a great radio show every day on DG.

10) Is there anything still left on your career bucket list? What are some goals you still want to accomplish?

Getting bigger markets on DG live and local and me being their afternoon talent. And winning the Syndicated Personality of the Year!

1) If you could have dinner with someone famous (dead or alive), who would it be and why?

St. Paul, his take on the life of Christ has inspired us all!

2) If you weren't in radio, what would be doing for a living?

Driving a truck. I don't know.

3) Tell us one thing people would be surprised to learn about you.

I am a very good card player. I play a card game called Euchre, and I love the Red Wings and Detroit Tigers! GO WINGS!