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10 Questions with ... Chris Roth
January 31, 2006
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NAME:Chris RothTITLE:Senior Director of ProgrammingSTATION:WQSM/Q98STATION:WFVL/Thunder 106.9STATION:WFNCSTATION:WRCQ/Rock 103MARKET:Fayetteville, NCCOMPANY:Cumulus MediaBORN:May 22 1975, Silver Spring MarylandRAISED:Olney, MD (about 30 minutes North of DC)
Please outline your radio career so far: (station/date, station/date, etc.)
WMET/Gaithersburg MD 1991-1993
WINX/Rockville MD 1991-1993, 1996-1998
WRC/Washington DC 1993 - 1995
WINC/Winchester VA 1996-1999
WBQB/Fredericksburg VA 1997-1999
Shadow Traffic/DC 1996 -1998
WGRX/Baltimore MD 1997-1998
WRQX/Washington DC 1997-2003
WGRX/WGRQ Fredericksburg VA 2001 - current
WINX/Easton MD 2002 - current
WASH/WASHINGTON DC 2003-2004
WQSR/BALTIMORE MD 2004-2005 (Damned Jack FM!)
WBIG/WASHINGTON DC 2004 - 2005
CUMULUS MEDIA/FAYETTEVILLE - 2005 to presentAnd former owner of WWON Waynesboro TN, WFPA Fort Payne AL, and WGAD Gadsden AL
Also - along the way there was WARX Hagerstown, WIKZ Chambersburg, WFRE Frederick, WAFY Frederick, WNVZ Norfolk, WWDE Hampton, WPTE Virginia Beach, WNAV Annapolis, WYRE Annapolis, WKHZ Ocean City, WKCW Warrenton, and stint as Chief Engineer of WCTN/Potomac Cabin John
1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I'll probably never forget it. I was driving down 95 from MD to Florida with my parents when I was about 12. My dad did radio back in the 60's, and was always telling me about it. On this trip to Florida, dad turned on AM-890 and said, "This is from Chicago, Son." and I knew we were nowhere near Chicago, and I thought it was cool to be heard "everywhere." By the time we hit the Georgia state line, I was singing the WLS jingles!
2) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I'm actually a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and A+ Certified Technician. I put in 7 long years with the Marriott Corporation in their Information Resources division. I would probably be doing that, or bowling alley management.
3) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?
I'm a big lover of Soft AC. I still think there is a place for STREISAND, MANILOW and DIAMOND on the FM dial. WGAY was a great station in DC and was killed while still I believe #5 - 12+.
4) How do you keep tabs on the competition? When your competition attacks you on the air, how do you react?
I listen to other stations a lot. Don't get me wrong, I listen to mine as well, but you have to listen to everything else you possibly can. I actually have a skimmer to record other stations in the market so I can fast forward through the songs and see what they are doing in a short amount of time.
5) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?
The industry will still be consolidating, with the strongest and best run companies still on top. In five years, I'll still be refining my craft, and hopefully programming one of America's great radio stations.
6) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
RICK DEES, without a doubt. The man personifies everything that is good about radio.
7) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
Terrestrial radio companies will compete (and WIN) because of our capability to be local. We can give local weather, local traffic, local news and other local info. When weather breaks, we can be on top of it. If there is a local emergency, we can spring into action. When satellite radio can do that (and do it consistently well), then I'll be worried.
8) How often do you do remotes and which work best for the station?
WQSM (Q98) is a promotional machine. We are always all over town. We'll usually do three to five remotes per week. Any remote works great for us. The exposure is awesome! In a town like Fayetteville, jocks really are "stars" and people come out to meet them. If only people would stop asking everyone if they are "BOB AND SHERI"...
9) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?
We'll, it's been a short year so far... but last year it was GRETCHEN WILSON in Raleigh. She puts on one hell of a show.
10) As an air-talent how has industry consolidation helped or hurt you? What effect has industry consolidation had on the way you program your station?
Consolidation has helped me, in a big way. Without the current trend, it would be much tougher to network with people all across the country as you currently can. With a company the size of Cumulus - the opportunities are endless, and whatever you need - you can get.
Bonus Questions
What is your favorite TV show?
"The Family Guy." I can relate to PETER GRIFFIN
What are your three favorite industry web sites?
www.dcrtv.com, www.vartv.com, and of course - right here... www.allaccess.com.
How often do you listen to your station when you are away from the station?
With Cumulus introducing BSI's eSkimmer technology...all the time.
Who is your best friend in the business?
You can't limit me to one "best" friend! I've come to know some great people, and I've taken something from each one of them. STEVE KOSBAU, STEVE ALLAN, SCOTT BRADY, BILL PARRIS, PERRY STONE, STEVE KINGSTON, ED RODRIGUEZ, LOO KATZ, BILL HESS, JACK DIAMOND, JOHN SEBASTIAN, JOHN KONRAD, PAT GARRETT...the list could go on. One of the big outstanding ones is my beautiful ex-wife JULIE WRIGHT. Daily, she still tries to make me into a better human being.
You just won the lotto and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?
"Um - Tom?... Hey - it's Chris. Here's a riddle. "What is fat, loaded and isn't coming to work tomorrow?"
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