10 Questions with ... Joe Rosati

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

SOCIAL:
www.facebook.com/joerosati1037
twitter.com/joerosati
www.instagram.com/joerosatiradio

Started a month shy of my 15th birthday in 1995 at WENU-FM in Glens Falls, NY. From there worked at a few other stations in town and then went on air in Albany, NY (WYJB, WFLY); brief weekend stint at WBLI/Long Island while doing nights in Albany at WFLY; Boston (WQSX), Minneapolis (KDWB, KQQL), New York City (WHTZ), Detroit (WKQI, WDTW) and now San Diego & Los Angeles!

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

It was great! Jay Scott (current PD/morning man at Magic 590/100.5 in Albany) hired me at WENU in Glens Falls for weekends. I did it all: filling all the dayparts including morning sidekick, news, sports, production and remotes. This was back when everything was on carts and CD's so you HAD to run a live board. Jay treated that very seriously. Segues had to be tight! While I was there the program director of our sister AM country station, Dan Miner, offered me some part-time shifts as well which I gladly took so I could have another format under my belt. Also, Dan gave me my first Top 40 gig when the Telecommunications Act was passed and the owner bought more stations in town. That was a lot of fun! I cringe though when I play the airchecks. There were days when I was on 3 stations between 10a-11p ALL LIVE!

2) What led you to a career in radio?

Part of my childhood I grew up in Queens, NY and always listened to the radio thanks to my parents. They loved WCBS-FM so it was always on. Listening to the greats on that station sparked my interest. When we moved to upstate New York when I was 10 I saw a station doing a remote at the mall. That's what did it. About four and half years later I started at that same station.

3) Who handles your imaging, and what voices are you using?

I handle all of the imaging for KyXy and we use Joe Cipriano. Joe's great! Really fits what we're doing and can be played into a current or gold without sounding out of place. He's also a super nice guy!

4) What is your favorite part of the job?

Getting paid to do what I love. I never looked at this as a job. Also, when I meet people and they say that they listen to me every day. That's a cool feeling.

5) What's the coolest promotion you've been involved with recently?

In my almost 23 years in the industry I was never a part of a radiothon until this past December. KyXy did the Rady Children's Hospital Holiday of Miracles Radiothon and when the dollar amount was announced at the end of it my jaw literally dropped. In two days we helped raise almost 230k and that number went higher I believe. Being on twelve hours out of the two day broadcast was VERY rewarding!

6) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?

I'm stereo-blind. I was born with Strabismus aka crossed eyes. Cosmetically I look ok after having two surgeries throughout my life but functionally I'm technically crossed eyed. 3D movies are completely flat to me.

7) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

WCBS-FM with that booming reverb and processing!

8) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?

Before kids, traveling with my wife. We've been to a handful of countries. Now that we have kids who are almost 10 and 7 they are my hobby outside of radio. LOL. They're very involved with activities outside of school so we're running all over the place but it's fun!

9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Don't forget where you came from. It's great if you hit it big but don't forget those who helped you get there.

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

Learn as much as you can, do it all, network, be hungry and don't get an ego. Just because you interned in the programming dept. doesn't mean your first job should be a PD in a top 5 market. Be prepared to pay your dues.

For someone vacationing in your market, what one thing would you say they "must see"?

Being in Southern California the beaches of course. Even after living here for almost 6 years it's wild to be able to go to the beach in January. Also, we have some great Mexican food in the Old Town part of San Diego.