10 Questions with ... Matt Haeger

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• Saga Communications/Des Moines - Promotions Intern - (2003 - 2006)
• KSTZ (Star 102.5)/Des Moines - Weekender - (2004 - 2006)
• WQLH (Star 98)/Green Bay - Nights, Imaging, Web - (2006 - 2008)
• Cumulus/Green Bay - Production Director/Imaging Director - (2008 - 2009)
• Entercom/Denver - Assistant Production Director - (2009 - Present)

1) What Got You Interested In Radio?

During high school I was working at McDonald's and a drive-thru customer told me I had a nice voice and I should consider going into radio. Being one that caves to any kind of peer-pressure, big or small, I said, "...okay!" Once I toured the campus radio station with now-best friend and fellow Entercom employee Tony Lorino (APD/middays at 99.7 The Point), I was hooked. Also, I love listening to hooks.

2) Who do you consider your radio mentors?

Jim Schaeffer (former OM of Saga Des Moines), Scott Allen (current OM at Saga Des Moines), Dylan Sprague, Tony Lorino. Ryan Beaman taught me a thing or two about promotions, events and marketing as well. They're all pretty smart fellas!

3) What are some of the other stations that you think have really great imaging?

Mike Santos does mind-blowing stuff on Alice. He's an imaging nerd and I love when our two doors are open and I can hear what he's working on. His power intros give me imaging goose bumps. That felt weird to type.

Kelly Kelly Kelly at KIIS LA, Dave Foxx at Z100 New York would be no-brainers for me. Brian Whitaker at KSTZ and KAZR is one of those guys that could go to any big market and kill it!

4) Who are some of your favorite radio voices?

The voice peeps we have here on Alice and The Mountain are great. Melody Sharp and James Justice on Alice and Steve Stone on The Mountain. Jeff Berlin was stellar to work with when I was in Green Bay. Chris Corley, Ann DeWig, and BC are a few other favorites and Mike Kaminski is the go-to character voice dude. Brian James was one of the best!

5) What are some of the tools you use in your production?

I use Adobe Audition 3.0 on a PC and I love it! (Sorry ProTools) I'll get to ya' when I want. For commercial production, we use FirstCom Music Library. For Imaging, we use Shortbus on Alice, and Benztown on The Mountain.

6) What's the last production piece you finished?

A concert spot for Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Don't be jealous. Just "listen to the Mandolin rain..."

7) What are the best perks of living and working in Denver?

Rockies games, The Red Rocks Amphitheater, the free Coors Brewery tour, the 300 days of sun, the view of downtown and the mountains from our 11th floor offices... I could go on.

8) What advice would you give people new to the business?

Pay your dues. I know everyone says it but it's true. I see too many younger people getting into radio who think they'll graduate from school and be guaranteed a full-time job in a top-50 market. You gotta earn it. Learn from those around you, there's a lot to absorb.

9) Who is your best friend in the business?

That would be my fiancée and co-worker Sam Hill. I get to marry THE Sam Hill. Awesome!

10) What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you?

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Jim Schaefer told me that as I watched him navigate Selector. It's proven itself true repeatedly.

1) What's the weirdest thing we'd find in your studio?

A promotional "That Was Easy" button from Staples. Press it firmly (or violently post-computer crash) and a disembodied voice proclaims "That was easy." Yes. Yes it was!

2) What's the best sweeper you've ever heard?

"There's a fine line between genius and insanity. Luckily... we snorted it." Gets me every time!

3) What do you consider the key to your success?

Hard work, and a willingness to learn.

4) Do you do any freelance work?

I do freelance voice work with an agency here in Denver.

5) What is the one truth that has held constant in your career?

Be indispensible.