10 Questions with ... Jamie Tanchyk

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

1. Nights/Imaging at WAJZ/Albany, NY
2. Nights/Imaging/APD at WFLY/Albany, NY
3. PD at WAJZ/Albany, NY
4. PD at WQSH, WQSH-HD2/Albany, NY
5. PD at WZMR-Albany/NY
6. Weekends at WODS/Boston, MA
7. Afternoons/Middays/APD/MD at KHTP/Seattle, WA
8. Afternoons/APD/MD at KRSK/Portland, OR

1. How would you describe your first radio gig?

It was surreal. I started on the station I grew up listening to, Jamz 96.3 in Albany, when I was 20. All of my friends were away or busy with college, so I spent most of my time hanging out at the station bugging anyone willing to give me the time of day to teach me stuff and let me pick their brain about the biz.

2. What led you to a career in radio?

I was always the go-to guy in high school whenever they needed someone to host talent shows, do the morning announcements etc. Rapping about the cafeteria workers, writing and singing (poorly) songs to promote the winter dance - even back then I wasn’t afraid to make a fool of myself with a mic in my face.

3. You recently celebrated your 2nd anniversary at The Buzz. Unfortunately, the timing was such that the pandemic was just rearing its head as you arrived in town. What was that experience like for you? Were there teammates who you hadn’t met in person for a great length of time?

I was only in the office for a few weeks before the world shut down. Luckily, I came here from just three hours up the road in Seattle, so I had visited enough during my six years in the Pacific Northwest to speak with some knowledge about the market on air. That was extremely valuable, and don’t know what I would’ve done if I started in a city blind without the ability to go out and experience it in all its glory. In regards to co-workers, there were certainly some names and faces within our walls at Audacy/PDX that I had to re-learn once the office reopened.

4. Who would be a “dream guest” that you’d love to plug in across from you on your afternoon show?

Cardi B! Not sure I’d get many words in but I wouldn’t have to. Just let her go off and react. That would be electric.

5. “Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. How did you keep the station visible and involved in the community? Have you been getting back out there?

Being out in the community making one-on-one connections is always the goal, but I think COVID has presented a fun challenge to be creative with being local when you can’t have boots on the ground or a vehicle on the streets. Our most recent example is we donated concert tickets to our local summer league baseball team, the Portland Pickles, as a reward for anyone with information that helps them find their stolen mascot, Dillon T. Pickle.

6. Is there such a thing as a ‘typical’ music meeting with Scott Roddy?

Scott is incredible to work with. Once you’ve earned his trust, he really lets you take the ball and run with it. Even when I suggest a move or add that he may not agree with, he never dismisses it. He’ll simply say something like – ‘Are you sure? We could go this direction instead, but if that’s what your gut is telling you then go for it.’

7. What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?

I recently tried to install a bidet. The box said it would take 15 minutes. Two hours later I was calling a plumber and making a trip to Home Depot. I’m qualified for exactly ZERO other things. Radio is all I know and love.

8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Two opinions can both be right. Tell me your way, I’ll tell you my way and we’ll find OUR way.

9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?

WAJZ – Jamz 96.3 in Albany, NY. My favorite jock was Sugar Bear. Ironically enough, he was my instructor at (formerly known as) The New School of Radio and Television in Albany after leaving the PD post at Jamz.

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

Sugar Bear, Terry O’Donnell, Kevin Callahan, Mike Preston, Dave Richards and Scott Roddy.

With the Moda Center at your disposal and an unlimited budget, what 3-5 acts would you pull together for a station ‘welcome back’ bash?

The entire 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show