-
10 Questions with ... Mark McCarthy
August 25, 2008
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Mark McCarthyTITLE:MDSTATIONS:WWDEMARKET:Norfolk, VACOMPANY:EntercomBORN:August 13th 1969 Waterbury, CTRAISED:Prospect, CT
Please outline your radio career so far:
WPLR/New Haven, CT
WKCI/New Haven, CT
WBHT/Wilkes Barre, PA
WDBZ/New York
KZHT/Salt Lake City
KUDD/Salt Lake City, UT
WPTE/Norfolk, VA
WWDE/Norfolk, VA1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
Terrifying!!! I was so stressed out the first time I went live on the 50,000 monster that is KC 101! I guess I wasn't ready at the time, but I do have a great excuse. My first ever shift on KC 101 was a Sunday night. I just got back from a college radio convention in New York City with my old college friend Samantha Stevens. She got off the train in Bridgeport, so I rode all by myself up to the last stop in Waterbury. As I get off the train, I noticed my car was broken into and everything inside was GONE!!! And I had to be in New Haven and on the air in an HOUR!!! I never even called the cops to report it! Hell of a way to begin your radio career!! But I give a lot of credit to great teachers like Kelly and my PD at the time John Scott, who helped me get over the hump. I didn't start off quite the way I wanted to. But I got through it.
2) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
I don't know? I don't think I would have the same opportunities that were given to me back then. So I guess if I was trying to start something today, I don't think I would get very far. I think all those who are reading this will agree with me when I say "Automation killed the DJ!!" Most of the interns today move on to other careers because there's not enough work for them...or they are just not give the chance grow into decent jocks. The overnights and weekend shifts, once training grounds for us, no longer exist. How can you pay your dues when there's no "work" available to pay them? I could go on and on, but it's really nobody's fault. It's just a sign of the times.
3) What do you like best about your job?
I love all the aspects when it comes to interacting with the listener. Whether it's a contest or spending time with a P1 at a remote, I just love that magic that happens when you make the listener the "star" of the show. And when they tell you how much your show means to them, it makes it that much more special!! That connection you make with your audience. That's what it's all about!
4) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
My original path was to be a journalist. If I hadn't gotten hooked on my college radio station, I would have been a sportswriter.
5) Who were your early influences?
Working at KC 101 gave me the chance to learn from industry GIANTS! Kelly Nash, Scott Shannon, Kid Kelly, Glenn Beck, Pete Cosenza, and John Scott. And I can't forget Jeff McCartney and Samantha Stevens...who are still dear friends to this day. There are others who were there during that special time. Mentioning all the names would take forever!! But definitely the two Kellys....Kid and Nash...they were very kind to me...and very patient! I learned so much from those two!
6) Who is the most amazing talent you've worked with?
Wow! I've worked with so many. I would have to say my early days at WBHT were great. Kid Kelly, Danny Ocean, Billy Hammond, AB Love (a.k.a. Dead Air Dave...a.k.a. Dylan) Rod Hendricks, Nikki, and Toby Knapp. That was an amazing staff!!!
7) How do you stay in tune with your audience?
It's as easy as getting out there to meet them. Weather it's at remotes or concerts, there's no better research than to personally meet your listeners and hear what they have to say. It's really as simple as that.
8) Some stations have clamped down on their jocks giving them a lot less time to talk. Have you felt that pinch at your station?
It's better to clamp down, than to let someone utter the word "sh*t" on the air! Just kidding! We are all seasoned pros here. Don London knows that, and he lets us be very liberal as far as our shows go. There are liners to be read and other formalities. But it's always in our own words. I admire Don for trusting us the way he does.
9) What area of your "game" do you want to improve?
I could sure use a co-host. I'm doing this morning thing all by myself and it's murder!
10) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air? (dead air ... forget a mic was still on ... etc.) Are you ready for more name dropping?
Kerry Collins was my intern during this little slip. And no one noticed...but him! I'm live at a street festival in New Haven. It was slammed with people. So many were around our tent, I couldn't even hear myself think. So he brings me up live on the air, I'm doing my wrap, and I let the "S" word slip on the air! I had no clue what I said because of the chaos. About a minute later Kerry calls me to tell me what I said, and I was horrified! I thought some angry parent out there would want my head, but I got away with it! I still keep in touch with Kerry, and we still laugh about it!
Bonus Questions
1) What Got You Interested In Radio?
Hanging out at my college radio station. The Mighty WOWL 530 AM in all it's 20 Watt glory serving Southern Connecticut State University. It was easy to be loose for your airshift because NOBODY was listening. All I wanted to do at that time was to score an internship at ESPN. Then I met Kelly Nash, who was holding down nights at KC 101 at the time, and my whole world changed.
2) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
I'm 38 years old and I'm still single! I've never been married. Wait...I'm a wandering DJ. It's really not a surprise at all, is it?
3) Do you have any good stalker stories? Misty requests?
"Fatal Attractions?" I have a scary "Fatal Attraction" story. Let's go back to my WBHT days. OK...there was this girl...we dated on and off for about the entire time I was in Wilkes-Barre. Every time that we broke up, I had to get back together with her because if I didn't, she would make sure my life a living hell...and everyone else involved! Pretty soon, no one would come anywhere near me because of this girl!
Let's see...she would break in to my apartment and trash it. Thank God I had no pets...they would have wound up like that poor rabbit boiling on the stove!! There was the fake pregnancy... the old "acid on the car" incident. Yes, she did that to my car! Pouring acid on the roof and windshield. My GM at the time thought it was hilarious!
What else? She would show up at the station from time to time to confront me about whatever it was that was bothering her that day. She came to one of my club remotes and attacked me...when NO ONE was looking!!! I was in the DJ booth holding down the fort for a few minutes, I turn to lock the door and BAM!! . She planned her attack well. I give her that!! If I would go out on a date with someone else, I'd be putting that poor girl at risk! That's how crazy the other one was! Forget getting even with me, she wanted to hurt the "other" one as well. It was very scary being single and dating in Wilkes-Barre back in the 90s. If it wasn't for Jeff McCartney hiring me away to Salt Lake City, I don't think I would be here sharing this story with you.
-
-