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10 Questions with ... Phathead
March 28, 2006
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NAME:PhatheadTITLE:Morning Show Host/Production AssistantSTATIONS:WMJCMARKET:WMJC/Island 94.3 FMCOMPANY:Long Island Radio GroupBORN:July 30, 1973/Rockaway Beach, NYRAISED:Rockaway Beach, NY
Please outline your radio career so far:
I started at WXXP (Party 105.3 FM) Long Island from Sign-On May 27,1998-June 2002.
WBLI/106.1 FM, Long Island June 2002-Feb. 2004.
WMJC/Island 94.3 FM Feb. 2004-Present1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
What could be better? Straight out of college, I got in on the ground floor at WXXP/Party 105.3, Long Island. I drove the van and produced Skyy Walker's afternoon show. We were a staff of about 10 core guys ranging in age from 24-28 playing the hottest club and dance music in an area that was crying out for it. Needless to say the next four years at The Party were UNREAL! I eventually held the positions as midday host, afternoon host, promotions director, APD, and eventually PD when Skyy left for WKTU in New York City. Dance was my life for that time. And I grew up listening to Poison and Metallica. Imagine that!?!?! I don't want to leave anyone out, but the crew was Skyy Walker, (now PD at XM channel 81 BPM), Vic Latino (now nights at WKTU/New York), Murphdawg (nights and APD/MD at WHZT/Hot 98.1 FM in Greenville, SC), Leo G.(now PD at XM channel 66 RAW), Adam Axe (middays at WKSS/Hartford, CT), KC, Seany O. (now in Dallas) and Mikey Pan. Jon Daniels and Rob Rush from my current station were there at the beginning as well. We had a blast.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I had just transferred from SUNY Binghamton in upstate NY to Hofstra University on Long Island. I was in one of my classes when Bruce Avery, GM of the radio station, walked in looking for people to take the training class for the school station (WRHU 88.7FM). One session and that was it. I met my first love, and her name was College Radio! Six months in and I was Program Director of the station. Senior year I landed an internship with Howard Stern at K-Rock for 6 months, and I was off and running. P.S. If anyone is looking for a college that has a good radio program, look no further than Hofstra. The facilities blow any station I've worked for away. Plus, the staff and training is second to none. It's as close as you can get to working for a professional station in college.
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Absolutely NOT! Let's be real people, if we all took our Series Seven and became stock brokers we would be living a much better life. However, I will say this...Once radio is in your blood, it's in your blood forever! It's sort of like the scene in A Bronx Tale when they lock the door to the bar and say "Now You's Can't Leave".
4) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
You would be talking to an Accountant at some major firm in Manhattan. I'd be part of the walking dead in a suit and tie making my way through the city.
5) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
I admit it. I have Sirius in one of my cars. However, there is no substitute for local personalities talking about local topics and giving local traffic and weather. For my money, if I'm 25-54 with a spouse, kids, local job, etc...and my commute is about 20-30 minutes by car, I want to hear what my roads and weather will be like. You can't beat the warm feeling and familiarity of local radio!
6) What are your three favorite artists or songs of this year?
For my station it would be Daniel Powter "Bad Day" and James Blunt "You're Beautiful." However, my cell phone ring is currently Beyonce/Check On It.
7) Who would be your dream guest on the show?
RACHEL MCADAMS. In a landslide! I have a shrine to her on the morning show page of our website.
8) What is your favorite TV show?
Reality anything. Poker anything. American Idol and World Series of Poker would be tops.
9) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
Fine, I'll give you the typical New York/Long Island, tri-state area answer. Here you go: "Cubby from Z-100 is the man!" You know what? I actually mean it! Besides being amazing at what he does, I've had the chance to hang with him at some Hampton's bars in the past. [He's] a very real and nice guy! The most amazing personalities of all are the guys I was with at WXXP. Skyy Walker taught me everything by the book and how to be a great jock. Vic Latino, Murphdawg, Leo G., and Adam Axe are all great. Al Levine from WBLI was a big help to me and is a top jock. Reno, formerly of WBLI (now at WPDH) is great as well. I also have to mention Cande Roth, a radio and traffic veteran. She serves as my co-host on the Most Music Morning Show. Officially she is not on the staff as she works for the traffic service, so she counts [but] without her help, the show wouldn't be where it is today.
10) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
As far as just getting into the business. Do anything people ask of you and stay as late as you need to. Radio is a 24/7 business, especially when you are trying to get your foot in the door. Leave your watch at home. There is nothing a radio veteran hates more than an intern or new employee that is watching the clock. You won't keep that job for long.
Bonus Questions
Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?
Driving in my car, all I listen to is sports radio. WFAN and ESPN radio are it!!!
What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air?
About two weeks in at WBLI doing a 10p-2a shift I said the station slogan of WXXP. Either JJ Rice was not listening or he chalked it up to nerves. I know that once this is printed I'll be getting a phone call.
What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you at a remote?
I fell in a fountain about 3 feet deep. Having teenagers laugh at you is no fun, I can tell you that from experience. Then I went to do a nightclub appearance without time to change.
Please describe the best or worst promotion you've ever been part of?
The best at WMJC has been our annual Easter Egg Hunt. It started out as a small vision, and is currently growing into a huge event every year. The best for my career has to be at WXXP, where we put 3,000 people in a small club after just 3 months on the air with a start up station. The topper is that we had about 5 freestyle artists and a headliner named Mon-A-Q who sang a song called "Stay In Love." As a matter of fact, that was all she sang. Her headlining act was performing the song and then doing an encore for 10 minutes of the same song. 3,000 people came out for the vibe of the station, not the artists. They wanted to be where the action was, and we were the action.
What do you think is the next emerging music trend?
Call me crazy, but this hard rocking, dance guy is loving the new sound of Country these days. I know Country is huge, but I was never into it. Now I am thanks to Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Sugarland, etc...That stuff is hot!
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