10 Questions with ... Brian Lane

NAME:Brian Lane TITLE:PD STATIONS:WASJ & WRBA MARKET:Panama City, FL COMPANY:Double O Radio BORN:Washington, NC 01/04/1964 RAISED:Southeastern VA/ Northeastern NC

Please outline your radio career so far:

WASJ & WRBA/Panama City Beach, FL 2006- present
WNDD/Ocala, FL - 2006-2006
WESP/Dothan, AL - 2004-2006
WYDE & WYDE-A/Birmingham, AL - 2003-2003
WOWF/Crossville, TN - 2002-2002
WMJJ, WDXB, WQEN, WERC-A/Alabama Radio Network Birmingham AL - 1997-2002
WDLY, WSEV-A/Sevierville TN - 1994-1996
WWBR/Birmingham AL - 1993/1994
WZZK & WZZK-A/Birmingham AL - 1990-1993
WDLX & WRRF-A/Washington NC - 1985-1990
WKJA-FM Belhaven NC - 1981-1985

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

Awesome...I came into the biz when you actually had to do something...pull carts, cue records, clear the wire, etc...And I immediately fell in love with those huge clumsy automation systems with the reel to reels, carousels, and the odd/ even time check carts. I'd like to have one just to play with today!

2) Who were your early influences?

Charlie Byrd, Merrill Daniels, Wilson Thomas and of course...Wolfman Jack.

3) Who do you consider your radio mentors?

Bob Frowein, Gary Jackson, Rusty Walker, Jim Tice, Cal Casey.

4) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?

Again....Bob Frowein. He let me play in his stations when I was 13 years old. At that point, I was a junkie.

5) What is the biggest change that you'd like to see happen in the business?

Get back to local broadcasting for the community they're supposed to serve.

6) How much of your day is spent working with your station Web site?

About an hour a day.

7) What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?

WIMZ/Knoxville TN, they're rock solid and have been that way for years.

8) Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?

Yup...NWA, Ice Cube, Snoop.

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

People in expensive suits usually have "NO CLUE."

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

Run...Don't look back or you'll turn into a pillar of salt. Just kidding...If it's your dream, go for it. Just be prepared for the challenges that WILL be in front of you.

1) What do you do in your spare time?

I've got a super group of friends that I've been close with for nearly 20 years. We try and get together a couple of times per month.

2) What's your favorite fast food?

Milo's hamburgers. It's a Birmingham thing!

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

I'm really not as big of a bastard as I appear to be.