10 Questions with ... Neil Wilson

NAME:Neil Wilson TITLE:Afternoons STATIONS:WDVW (DIVA 92.3) MARKET:New Orleans COMPANY:Citadel Communications (Big up to Farid and Judy!) BORN:October 3rd in Davenport, IA RAISED:Quad Cities

Please outline your radio career so far:

* Part time at WLLR, KMXG, WHTS, Quad Cities from 96-00.
* Nights/Imaging Director at WQCY Quincy, IL 00-01.
* Nights, and then Executive Morning Producer at WKZN New Orleans 01-03.
* Middays/Imaging Director at KBEA Quad Cities 03-04.
* MD/Executive Morning Producer at WOZN/WSMW Greensboro, NC 04-06.

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

Radio has not been just a career for me, but a way of life since I was in 6th grade. My class had a job "shadow" type field trip to a local station and I basically got bit that day. I was 15 when I got my first part-time gig in the Q.C. and I've never looked back.

2) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?

I would love to be the media relation's person for a NFL team. But not just any NFL team... the greatest team in NFL history, a team that is undefeated in the Superbowl. Yes, media relations for the San Francisco 49er's. But I'd settle for a gig in the S.F. area so I could buy season tickets. :)

3) What makes Diva different from the MOV'iN brands?

From what I have seen, Diva is much more current based. While we share a lot of the same music as MOV'iN, we are much quicker to add new records that they may not touch. So as much as we are alike, we are very different.

4) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?

New Orleans is like no other city in the world and during the time that I was gone all I wanted to do was come back. New Orleans has a vibe that I just can't get enough of. As for our station, we were the first station to ever do the whole Rhythmic A/C thing and it's doing very well in this market. Everyone knows Diva!

5) In today's world of multi-tasking and wearing many hats, how do you find time to show prep and what sources do you use?

I still think real life is the best show prep. I'm newly married, with a crazy father-in-law, and I live in a city with something always happening. So it's easy for me. I still read all the stuff we get here, but I try to spin it into something personal to make it more real more my listeners.

6) If you are voice tracking shifts or syndicating for stations outside of your market, how do you get familiar with that marketplace/community?

Perhaps this is a good time to tell you that I'm available for out of market voice tracking? Email me for a demo...:). I'm actually voice tracking a weekend shift on our sister station, Sunny 103.3, in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge is very different from NOLA but very alike in a lot of ways. Luckily, I'm with in driving distance of B.R. so that makes it an easy way to understand the market a little better. Plus, I talk to the PD up there, Jeff Johnson, every week to get a good idea of what's going on.

7) Describe the relationship you have with your fellow co-workers? How do you motivate your staff to do better? How do they motivate you?

Everyone on our staff has a great relationship. I've become great friends with my PD John McQueen on more than just an at work basis. We just hired a brand new morning show, Marc Preston and Stacey Brady, and we've [all] gone out together many of times. And of course NOLA radio legend Jim Hanzo and his family are great. They all motivate me in different ways and it certainly makes for an easy working environment.

8) What's the closest you ever came to getting arrested for an on-air stunt? Or did you actually get arrested?

When I was working with Jeff Wicker, Skip, and AJ in Greensboro, President Bush came to the area to visit a local John Deere plant. Of course, it was never a good idea to send Skip (the Prize Guy) and myself out anywhere together because trouble would always ensue. Well, somehow we managed to get past security and into the mobile White House press room, which is set up everywhere the President speaks. We were LIVE on the air with Wicker when the Secret Service realized we weren't supposed to be there. I was scared sh*tless that we would be arrested, and Skip wasn't doing much better. Mind you, we're live on the air, and Jeff is going "What's going on? Skip, Neil? What's happening?" They escorted us out of the building with about 12 cops (none of which would go on the air) and a few S.S. guys. Everything turned out ok...and it was great radio!

9) How do you stay in tune with your audience?

You know, it's funny how a man with no fashion or knowledge of Hollywood would end up on a station that is all about both of those things. I use other women in the office a lot for info. I try to keep an eye on US weekly, People, Cosmo (yes, I read Cosmo), and sometimes I watch "Sex And The City" re-runs. Women are tough to figure out and any married man would agree with me on that one.

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

You can always learn more.

What is your favorite TV show?

Without a doubt, "The Office" on NBC has to be my favorite! The writers must have hidden cameras set up in this office.

What do you read in the bathroom?

Playboy!

Who is the most amazing talent you've worked with?

I think everyone I've worked with is amazing in his or her own ways. I'd love to point out something about everyone, but who really has that kind of time?