10 Questions with ... Tamara Gant

NAME:Tamara Gant TITLE:Morning Show Personalities STATION:WFLC 97.3 The Coast MARKET:Miami/Ft. Lauderdale COMPANY:Cox Radio BORN:Marshall, TX RAISED:Marshall, TX

Please outline your radio career so far:

KDMX-Dallas 91-95; KHBX-Tallahassee 95-97; WEDR-Miami/FTL 97-04; WFLM-Port St. Lucie 04-05; WFLC-Miami/FTL 05-06; WTPS-Miami/FTL Jan 06-Nov 06; now back at WFLC 06-present

1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?

My first gig was at an AC station in Dallas at KDMX (MIX 102.9) where I got up each morning at 4:30 and wrote news for my Morning Show Co-host. Some of my early influences were Anna DeHaro, Lisa Thomas, and Russ Morley, all of whom I worked with at MIX. Later on, it was Joe Bullard and James Thomas.

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

Absolutely! I always tell students when I speak at career days that you have to LOVE doing this gig! You have to be in love with radio because the pay is low (when you first start) and it has to be all about your station instead of your ego. That's the problem now, folks who are working in the biz don't have a love for the industry, nor do they care to make their station the best. It's all about what the station can do for them instead of the other way around.

3) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?

I am a fan of Urban AC and the artists that are played, particularly the fringe artists that are right on the edge of being the "next big thing." I remember the first time I heard Brian McKnight in the early 90's, Maxwell, Musiq SoulChild, Jaheim, and even John Legend. When you hear it, when you feel it from certain artists, you know they are going to be big and successful throughout their careers.

4) Who would be your dream guest on the show?

There's only one person that I would absolutely go ga-ga over to talk to on the air: the one and only King of Pop, Michael Jackson. I could die happy.

5) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?

For sure. My technical skills are somewhat lacking. I can do the basics of running the board or the shortcut or Maestro system, but truly, my strongpoint is on the OTHER side of the board, sitting in front of the microphone.

6) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air?

You know, the only one I can think of is when I cried on-air. It was just after it was announced in the Miami Herald that my Morning Show at 99 JAMZ was breaking up and that James T., Marvin Dixon and I would not be a team anymore because the station "was going in a different direction." We were getting calls left and right that morning and it was just too overwhelming for me. When it was time to do a newscast, I think I read the first two or three lines and then just had a meltdown-with the mic on! James T. had to go straight into a song.

7) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?

I'm finding that the older I get, I really appreciate when I can hear and understand the words that the artist is singing. Therefore, Rap concerts are out for me. When I was in the world of Hip Hop and R&B, I went to 'em all. And there's a few that I would go see, L.L. Cool J. being one of those artists.

The best concert so far this year was "The Boss" Miss Ross. I went to see her for the first time and now I truly understand why the word "Diva" describes her: She sounded great, looked great, and had the audience in the palm of her hand. Second Best: Prince during Super Bowl time at a concert at The Hard Rock Live-even though he didn't sing some of his biggest hits, like "When Doves Cry," "Adore" "Little Red Corvette" or even "I Wanna Be Your Lover"-but that's another story. I was really hot about that.

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

I've never been arrested. That was the running joke when I worked for 99 Jamz. I think there may have been only two of us on the entire airstaff (me and Shelby Rushin) who had NEVER been down to the Miami-Dade County Jail. The joke was...How did I end up working there without an arrest record? It was like it was a prerequisite or something.

9) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?

In my market, I like Heather Martinez on HOT 105 and Vanessa James on 103.5 The Beat. Stephanie Bromfield on Love 94 is really smooth, too.

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

I'm the same person that I was when I started 16 years ago as a news writer in Dallas. I've grown in my profession and learned a lot, but my friends, and even people that I've met just last year will tell you, I still have the same outgoing and giving personality that I had when I was growing up in a small town in East Texas. I don't know how to be any other way than myself.

1) What are your three favorite artists or songs of this year?

Chrissette Michelle, Amy Winehouse, and Musiq SoulChild. See if you can throw Joe in there, too.

2) What do you do in your spare time?

What spare time? I like to travel and read. I go on at least one cruise a year and make little trips throughout the year.

3) What is your favorite TV Commercial?

The Geico Caveman-all of them. I can't wait til the TV show comes out in the Fall.

4) What do you like best about your job? Least?

Most - The ability to talk to different people each day through the phone lines and just being in this position to help people through the mic. Least - I hate getting up at 4:00 each morning even though I've been doing it for 16 years.