-
10 Questions with ... Chris Carmichael
June 6, 2006
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Chris CarmichaelTITLE:OM/PDMARKET:Fredericksburg/Washington, DCCOMPANY:Mid Atlantic Network, Inc.BORN:3/13/1972 Wheeling, WVRAISED:Wheeling, WV
Please outline your radio career so far:
WKWK-FM/Wheeling 1989-1990, WOMP-FM/AM/WHEELING 1990-1991, WHLX-FM/WBBD-A/Wheeling 1991-1996, WQPO-FM/HARRISONBURG, VA 1997-2001, WVSR-FM/Charleston, WV 2001-2003, WBBT-FM/WARV-FM/Richmond, VA 2004, WAYZ-FM/WFYN-FM/WPPT-FM/WCBG-AM/Hagerstown, MD 2004-2006, WBQB-FM/WFVA-AM/Fredericksburg, VA 2006-Current
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
Weekend overnights on WKWK-FM in Wheeling, OH. Early influences were MR. BOB & CHUCK McGEE on WOMP-FM and JOHN CLINE on B94/Pittsburgh.
2) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
Probably a High School Math Teacher.
3) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
CHRIS BOOKER at WIOQ (Q102)/Philadelphia. We were roommates when we worked together at WOMP-FM in Wheeling. He is the real deal! A natural communicator/entertainer.
4) What is the biggest change that you'd like to see happen in the business?
The end of voice-tracking!!
5) What can we be doing with our station web sites to better our stations as a whole?
More information, updated constantly.
6) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
Don't over think it! Go with your gut...It's usually right. Organize, organize, organize!! You must keep up with the details or you'll drown.
7) What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?
WFLZ (93-3 FLZ)/TAMPA!! Amazing imaging!!!
8) If you could add any one full-time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?
A masseuse.
9) How do you interact with your sales staff?
I meet with the Sales Manager once per week, and I have an open-door policy with the sales staff.
10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
There is no finish line!
Bonus Questions
What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air? (dead air ... forget a mic was still on ... etc.)
OK...this was a bad one...I was working for a Country station in Harrisonburg, VA. Our moniker was "Harrisonburg's Country 105.1". I got moved to middays on our Top 40 station. About a week into the new position I was talking out of...Shania Twain. I open the mic and said "Harrisonburg's Count..." (doesn't look nearly as bad typed as it sounded on the air) and realize that I'm working on Q101. Not a good idea to stop mid word...when the word is "Country"
What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you at a remote?
I was working for a station early in my career...we were broadcasting live a local appliance store for our book promotion...we were giving away bags of cash or something. The competition shows up, with their mascot. My PD decides to pay the audience to beat up the mascots...$20 for the feet...$50 for the head...CD's if you kick him...RIOT ensues. Kid inside the costume gets beat up pretty bad and gets whiplash. He sues...yadda yadda yadda. I wasn't so proud to be working for the #1 station that day.
Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
Selector. There are tricks I am still learning about.
As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
Yeah. Thinking I knew it all when I was just starting out. Who knows how much information slipped right pass me, because I was too cocky to think it mattered.
-
-