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10 Questions with ... Bob Walton
January 7, 2008
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NAME:Bob WaltonTITLE:OMMARKET:Wilmington, DECOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:Hollywood, California (Not long after Buddy Holly died)RAISED:Pittsburgh, Columbus, Charlotte, Birmingham, Atlanta, Clearwater, and North Jersey - (My passport is full)
Please outline your radio career so far:
College Radio at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill -1977-80
WQDR Raleigh, NC 1980-84
WRDU Raleigh, NC 1984-95
WTBT Tampa, FL 1995-97
WRDX Wilmington, DE 1997-now1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
Like most my age, weekend overnights, and early Sunday morning with "The God Squad"
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
Listening to John "Records" Landecker through the static first got me interested. Seeing the studios at WSGN in Birmingham, and seeing the staff in jeans and t-shirts made me think "I want to do this."
3) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
Delaware is in the shadow (and listening area) of some legendary Philadelphia radio stations. (KYW, WYSP, WMMR) and has no local TV. If you want to get Delaware news, sports, weather, or topics you MUST come to us.
4) If you are wearing more hats this year than last, what area is suffering and how are you handling that?
Every year another hat. I'm a human hat rack. What suffers is sanity and surfing for antique toenail clippers on E-bay.
5) If you could add any one full-time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?
Online Content Director. We have a great one, but it would be nice if it was the ONLY hat he had to wear.
6) Tell us what music we would find on your I-Pod right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?
You'd find "American Idiot" by Green Day. My favorite album of the past five years. And "6th Target" by James Patterson. (Oh yeah, time to read has suffered with all the new hats.)
7) Have you explored launching an HD Radio channel?
Yes
8) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
Glenn Beck
9) Who would be your dream guest on the show?
George W. Bush I'm far from a Republican, but a chance to meet with the "Leader of the Free World" would be a rush.
10) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
Patience. LEARN the business and the art of radio. LEARN how to manage people. NEVER stop learning. And, no, you're not ready for afternoon drive yet.
Bonus Questions
1) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air? (dead air ... forget a mic was still on ... etc.)
My GM called me on the hotline to welcome me to the staff. I proceeded to remove the record that was actually playing. ("Aja" by Steely Dan)
2) Do you have any good stalker stories? Misty requests? "Fatal Attractions?"
Nope. They've all been good!
3) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
What goes around comes around.
4) You just won the lotto and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?
I have some good news and I have some bad news...
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