10 Questions with ... Mary Cenci

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Left my Banking career in Connecticut in ’94 and started my radio career selling advertising in Brattleboro, VT at Classic Rock 927WKVT. My first programming gig was running the board for Red Sox! Started middays in the mid ‘90s, then moved to mornings in the late 90’s through 2000. In 2000 moved north to Burlington, middays on Classic Rock/Champ 101.3 WCPV. From middays to afternoon drive to mornings between 2000 and 2009. 2009 moved to production as Production Director and shifted to WEZF Star 92.9, afternoon drive. In 2012 moved to mornings “Mike and Mary” and we’re still together. Also during that time, moved out of production and into the Program Director seat in 2018

1. How would you describe your first radio gig?

Selling radio advertising! I LOVED IT! I love marketing, I would light up a remote! At the time, I wasn’t the talent, I was the sales rep/business partner. I would bring balloons, make sure there was food, and plaster the business with banners! To me, I was fresh in the business and any remote I sold I treated it like a full-on event. I may have overdone it a few times with Campers and Hot Dog carts!

2. What led you to a career in radio?

I saw a great meme recently; “raise your hand if your report card said you talk too much in class.” I’ve always been obsessed with the magic of radio. How is this person talking to me through a box? When I was a kid, it was always my favorite radio station that woke me up – my digital radio alarm clock. My favorite time of day to listen to radio was in the morning, and I wanted to be in the mix of their conversation so bad! I would listen every morning and couldn’t wait to hear what they would say next. When I had the chance to sell advertising for a radio station or keep working in banking, it was an easy choice! Anything to get behind the curtain.

3. Speaking of the 10 Year Challenge, you’re now in your 10th year on the Star 92.9 morning show. As a programmer, what does it mean to you to get yourself in there every morning and set the table for the rest of the station’s broadcast day?

It’s a responsibility. Responsible for bringing fun, a smile, entertainment, a positive attitude, a laugh, and information to listeners just starting their day. It’s a responsibility to give people a place to let go of the hard day ahead or let go of the hard day they had. We offer the escape either with relatable content or their favorite song.

4. What does your partner, Mike Czarny, bring to the show?

Comic relief! He’s the only on air personality I know who can respectfully transition out of a serious story into a funny line and light up the room. His quick wit, confidence, and friendship. He’s brilliant at creating theater of the mind between sounds effects, impersonations and storytelling. If we didn’t know each other as well as we did, I don’t think we could play off each other without feelings getting in the way. He is hilarious and we’re tight, like siblings. I say it all the time, if you can start every day with a laugh, you’ll have a great day. I get to do that with Mike!

5. Who would be a “dream guest” to come visit in the studio and plug in across from you guys?

Mike would probably say Mark Hamill. GOD, for me it’s so hard, so,so many!! The first person that comes to mind is Mark Wahlberg! Yes, my celebrity crush, but I love his New England persona, he’s brilliant at marketing his brand and he’s bold with his confidence taking on anything he wants from Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, to being an actor, to his reality show, his burger restaurant, tequila now and a family man. Yep, it all started with Calvin Kleins!

6. How did navigating the pandemic make you a better programmer?

I became hyper aware of the importance of making people feel good and still being relatable in talking about the pandemic. We became less animated and more authentic. We wanted to give people a place of normalcy when everything was shut down and we were “still open.” We heard that from people--that we gave them a sense of normalcy, and that made us feel great!

7. With all the information and technology at your fingertips these days, is it easier to pick the hits?

Definitely! We’re not picking the songs that’ll be a hit, listeners are picking the music they love digitally. Radio is the top medium to introduce new music to an audience, but we follow the trends and listeners music shares, and it certainly helps!

8. “Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. How’s it been connecting with your listeners? Have you been getting back out there yet?

We kept connecting with our listeners, even when we weren’t out there. I created a once a month zoom cooking class with a local chef/writer for Eating Well Magazine. We had 80 plus sign ups. We did Facebook lives to check in with listeners. We did an ‘802 Chopped Challenge,’ we kept our commitment to community service and hosted on-line events like “Go Red For Women” Luncheon, and hosted parking lot events like “Relay For Life.” That connection with our listeners was important during the pandemic! Now that we’re slowly getting back out there, they don’t feel forgotten, it’s like we were always there.

9. What were your favorite stations growing up as a kid? Jock(s)?

Hartford/New Haven CT! When I was a kid, it was WTIC-FM – waking up to music before school! THEN - WHCN – Picozzi and the Horn. WPLR – Smith and Barber – They would make me laugh every morning! I LOVED listening to their morning banter about politics to how to marinade steak! My Afternoons were WCCC--I was a Rock Chick! For my Friday nights out, WTIC—I still dream of a tour of their facilities since it was one of my favorites as a kid! I’m still a radio fan at heart! I still imagine what a jock looks like when I listen!

10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

There are so many people who believed in me and gave me a chance before I even knew! Dave Underhill was the owner of WKVT in Brattleboro, VT when he gave me my first shot at a radio career! He talked me into leaving Connecticut and moving to Vermont for radio (there may have been a guy I was dating involved in the equation) but, Dave believed I could sell, so I got in the radio door! Steve Cormier, also a big influence! He was the Program Director when he hired me to do afternoons on Champ 101.3, Classic Rock Format. He gave me the most direction with my on-air presence. “Shut Up And Play The Music.” I’m reminded of when I think of our airchecks! And Ken Barlow, the current owner of Star 92.9, gave me the biggest opportunities! Ken believed I could program the monster station of the group, Star 92.9 and co-host a great Morning Show with Mike and Mary! Ken gives us freedom, while keeping an eye of the flight we’re taking! Today, I still call Ken to run promotional ideas by him! Having mentors in the industry, that you trust is so important! I don’t know all the answers and I’m always looking to grow!

With an unlimited budget, which 3-5 artists would you pull together for Star station bash?

Adele, Train, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Imagine Dragons and Tag Team. Always go big and scale back after!