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10 Questions with ... Bobby D
April 4, 2006
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NAME:Bobby DTITLE:Program DirectorSTATIONS:WVMX MIX 94.1MARKET:Cincinnati, OhioCOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:Let's just say gas was A LOT cheaper then.RAISED:Suburbs of The City of Brotherly Love
Please outline your radio career so far:
In the early 90's, I started doing some swing shifts at WAVT in Pottsville, PA (Pottsville known for their beer) while working at a nightclub in Reading. From there, I moved to swing at WNNK in Harrisburg for a quick, but rewarding experience. I then traveled up Interstate 81 to Wilkes-Barre to work at the green shack on Highway 315 that was known as WSKS. That lasted about eight months before they sold the stick. I just found out that the green shack was recently torn down. From Wilkes-Barre I headed back down 81 to WQXA in York (while there I earned MD stripes). In 1995, I went to WAYV in Atlantic City as APD/MD; spent 1996-1997 as Program Director at WHTO in Williamsport; 1998-2001 APD/MD at WRFY Reading; 2001-2002 Program Director at WLKC in Burlington, Vermont; 2002-2005 Clear Channel Binghamton, overseeing WMRV, WMXW and WINR; in March of 2005, I moved to the Queen City.
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
My first real job in radio was a non-paying one. (Aren't they the best? Are they really jobs?) While in high school, I worked at a county-funded station, WCSD in Warminster, PA doing the Saturday morning news. " 89.3, baby!" My influences would have been every jock that worked at WFIL, WIBG, WIFI, WEGX and WCAU. However, I always said I would give props to this person when All Access approached me for an interview, so, THANKS to Tommy Frank for giving me that one shot to go on the air. I am forever grateful. I would also like to say thanks to Jon O'dea and Hollywood at WINK 104, Jon for putting me on the air and Hollywood for the time he gave me during our air-check sessions. I was only at WINK for a short time before I got my first full-time gig and moved on, but my time there has never been forgotten. It was a great station to learn from then and it's still a great station.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I love telling this story. I was like three years old and was going to the store with my mom. When she started up the car the radio came on, I was fascinated that music was playing out of the dashboard. Then, the jock spoke and that was it! I wanted to be the person in my mom's dashboard playing music and talking. Now I am in High Definition.
3) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
Cincinnati is the biggest small market ever. We have the life of a big city, with the small market attitude. Kids grow up just waiting to turn 18 so they can move away, only to return a few years later. This is the biggest market I've ever worked in, although the feel is like I'm back in market 200.
4) If you are wearing more hats this year than last, what area is suffering and how are you handling that?
I am actually wearing less hats than this time last year and I still have no time. Time Management is a problem everywhere. I get into the office around 8AM with a plan on how may day will go and by 8:15, it's shot to Hell. My plan is to turn the 24-hour day into 28...wish me luck.
5) How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?
I think the relationships are the same. You have a selected few that you can work with that "get it" and others act like your best friend when all they want is that add. Record companies went through a major reconstruction just like radio did a few years back and consolidation has made it worse for record companies. The record companies don't have enough personal and they seem to forget about the smaller markets anymore. Last I checked, record companies want to make money...they shouldn't forget the little towns the help them sell their product. Indicator, Monitored...WHATEVER!
6) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
Broadway Bill Lee
7) What is the most rewarding promotion or activity your station has ever been involved with to benefit the community or a charity?
Our biggest event that we do for the community every year is KIDFEST. It's a two-day outdoor event with rides, games, entertainment and vendors. It's ABSLOUTLEY FREE FAMILY FUN with MIX 94.1!!!
8) What's the best liner you've ever heard?
KYW News Radio Listen, 2,3,4 times a day
9) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?
Growing up in Philly, I'm a big fan of Jammin' Oldies.
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
No regrets, I am sure I missed an opportunity or two during my years, but I believe everything works out for a reason. I was very happy working in Reading at WRFY, but the company needed to downsize and I was out, 1 year later I am back with company running 3 stations for them in New York, only to move to "The Nati." Our facilities are the best, the people in the building are the best, the city is great, and I am working with some great people on The MIX team doing some fun things and making a name for WVMX.
Bonus Questions
What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air?
To protect their license, I'll keep the station's name out. One time, a friend of mine called me while I was on the air to bust my chops about the Eagles loosing (I seem to get that a lot). Before he called, I had just aired a phoner and the pot for the System 360 was still up. Well, being the good jock that I am, I record all calls coming into the studio as we were always taught. RIGHT!? Well, needless to say, with the pot up on the 360 and it recording, the call was, in reality, going out over the air live. I didn't know at the time because the monitors were down. Let's just say my frustration about McNabb (including some choice words), went over the air. I looked down and saw every request line light up, so I re-traced my steps and my heart dropped to my stomach. I immediately apologized over the air. I took some upset callers and other calls laughing at me and I then wrote a two-page letter to my PD, knowing for sure someone was going to call and complain and I wanted him to know what went down. The next day I went into his office knowing that was it for me. My PD started talking about something different, so I asked him if he got the letter. He starting laughing, saying "sh*t happens, you did everything you were supposed to, don't worry about it." He told me that I already have beaten myself up on this issue that there was nothing else he could say...that was that.
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