10 Questions with ... Stephen 'Shimes' Shimer

NAME:Stephen 'Shimes' Shimer TITLE:OM STATIONS:WRRQ, WMTT, WPHD & WCDW MARKET:Binghamton, NY and Elmira, NY COMPANY:Equinox Broadcasting BORN:Williamsport, PA RAISED:Mount Joy, PA - Elmira Heights, NY - El Paso, TX

Please outline your radio career so far:

WENY (1981-83), WLVY (1983-86), WNZG 1988-93), WMRV (1993), WCDW/WMTT/WPHD/WRRQ (1993 to present)

1) What Got You Interested In Radio?

I was dating a girl from Elmira. Her dad was PD of WENY. One Friday night, he called me and asked if I would like to try radio as he needed a fill-in. I got there at 11:30pm and went on at Midnight.

2) How would you describe your first radio gig?

It was scary. I had a lot of dead air that first night. But I realized that it was something I really liked and wanted to explore as a career.

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

Yeah the moment I broke up with his daughter he fired me. I just wanted to prove to him I was worth the time and effort.

4) Who were your early influences? Who do you consider your radio mentor(s)?

My early influences include Joe "Street" Stryder, Imus, and the Greaseman. My early mentors were Street and Steve Christie.

5) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?

No. There's no money in it now. You have to have a hall pass to go to the bathroom even in the smaller markets.

6) How do you position the station musically and why did you choose this direction?

We're in between the Top 40 stations and the Adult station. We squeeze nicely in there. It's a hole we've been dying to fill.

7) How would you describe the music and imaging on your station?

The best I've ever heard... thanks to Chris Taylor!

8) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

How to survive against corporate radio.

9) What effect has industry consolidation had on the way you program your station?

Not for us. We're locally owned.

10) What do you plan to do different this year, regarding work, family, or both?

Pay my bills. I am gonna get a second and third job, and I'm gonna beg the wife for more nookie!

1) Describe your favorite meal?

A big fat juicy rib eye steak with lots of fat!

2) Who is your best friend in the business?

Chris P. Bacon - WPGI/Elmira, NY

3) What is the current state of radio's "talent pool"?

Desperate.

4) What do you like to read?

My eyes are getting bad so now I just look at the pictures.