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10 Questions with ... Cindy Barton
July 11, 2006
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NAME:Cindy BartonTITLE:Morning Show HostSTATIONS:WLTE 102.9 Lite-FmMARKET:MinneapolisCOMPANY:CBS RadioBORN:St. Paul, MNRAISED:Forest Lake, MN
1) Please outline your radio career so far:
I've been at CBS for eight years, doing the morning show for five. I'm currently heading the morning show at WLTE, hosting and the syndicated show "70's with Cindy Barton."
2) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
My first job ever in radio was running the board at KDWB in Minneapolis during "Top 40 with Casey Kasem." The PD would let me bring the records home sometimes, and I still have them out in my garage. I don't think I could physically ever throw them out.
3) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I'm sure I would have been one of the leading brain surgeons in the country, so the medical field really lost out big time.
4) Describe the relationship you have with your fellow co-workers? How do you motivate your staff to do better? How do they motivate you?
I love my morning show co-horts. Brian Michaels and Teri Knight have both been dear friends of mine for years, so I feel incredibly privileged to have them both with me in the morning. They are really funny people and oddly strange, which definitely helps out on the content of the show. Both just joined the show two weeks ago, so we haven't had a chance to get on each other's nerves yet. But when we do, I see some major practical jokes coming into play. After all, what better way to blow off steam than to set Brian's hair on fire or make him paint his toenails for a bit?
5) If you are voice tracking shifts or syndicating for stations outside of your market, how do you get familiar with that marketplace/community?
The PDs I work with are fantastic. They send me info about their market and their station's announcers. I read their websites, and for those that stream I listen to what they are doing on the air. As my affiliate list grows, it does get harder. But luckily with my show, the focus is on the music and the local station promos are cut separately.
6) Please describe the best or worst promotion you've ever been part of?
One of our best sales people set up a promotion with tickets to a live performance of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and a night out with Cindy Barton. So I proudly brought about 30 LITE listeners to the theatre... Turns out it's an all-nude revue of the show.
The only covering any of the actors had on was their leather chaps.
7) What format does not exist that should? Would it work?
A Dance format, but not like the ones that I have ever heard. I imagine it as everything from Donna Summer and Jodi Watley to Paula Abdul , Michael Jackson, Madonna, Janet Jackson and the Village People targeted to the 25-54 female. Other people can hear voices in their head, I hear liners for my make believe station.
8) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air? (dead air ... forget a mic was still on ... etc.)
I was doing a story about Daunte Culpepper and I called him Daunte "Culpecker" not so bad if you work in rock, but this is AC people!! .Also, one time I was talking about the old Bewitched show, when they switched the actors playing Darren and the audience didn't take even notice. My question just came out before I thought about it... "How can you switch dicks in midstream and not even know about it?" My partner just shut his mic off and left me there, by myself, he just got up and walked away.
9) Who would be your dream guest on the show?
It used to be Johnny Carson, but that would be just weird now that he's been buried for several years and getting him to talk would be tough, so it would be Jay Leno.
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
I really regret turning down the job of hosting a new show called American Idol, but who knew? Some guy named Ryan took the gig instead. Seriously, I don't think I have any regrets, certainly not on career decisions. But there are regrets about situations that have happened beyond my control. But it's life and there's nothing you can do about it. I try to look forward and not backward.
Bonus Questions
How did you get your on-air name?
I'm so witty and creative that I just kept my real name. Years ago, I wanted to go with "Candy Cane"...I thought it was catchy in the early 80's until my dad told me it was a "stripper's name" who knew? I was so young at the time.
Most of us have known or even worked for a "colorful" owner/GM/air talent. Care to share a story?
I used to work for a station owner that believed in bringing his cats to work everyday. These were not friendly, cute little furry, adorable cats. These cats would bite your arm off if you got close. One time the meaner one, who we called "Satan" jumped up on a high record shelf in the control room and while a jock was on the air, just pounced on his back. To this day, I have never heard so much screaming over the air as that fateful day. It was like something out of a Ben Stiller movie.
What do you do in your spare time?
I travel to foreign countries and get thrown into jail, it happened in Damascus and I tell ya there's nothing liked being handcuffed for a week in a Syrian jail. Just like a spa only without the mudpacks.
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