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10 Questions with ... Priestly
July 10, 2023
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Sorry... "brief" isn't part of me, you'll see. I grew up in New York listening to some of the best radio ever! I came to Maryland for college and got my first internship at 92Q Baltimore in '94. Then had my second internship at 95.5 WPLJ that summer. I returned to Maryland for school and got my first part-time promotion assistant gig at Mix 106.5. I then scored my first part-time on-air spot at 98YCR in York/Hanover, doing overnights around '96! Fast forward a year later, 1997, and V103 is flipping formats in Baltimore to Top40, and that's when I moved to on-air in Baltimore. It was a few years after that station flipped formats in 2001. I was let go the Saturday before 9/11…that Saturday, I emailed Tom Poleman at Z100/New York to inform him of what had JUST happened, and a few hours later, on a SATURDAY, Tom replied and set up a phone call for Tuesday, 9/11….that did not happen. A month later, I surprisingly got that call from Tom and joined Z100 to "bring sunshine" to my home! I only worked at Z for a few months before a rare opportunity became available at XM Satellite Radio's 90s on 9 hosting nights. At XM, I grew to Music Director and then, ultimately, PD of multiple channels. For many of those XM years, I was also keeping a foot in terrestrial, doing part-time at Mix 106.5 on the weekends and hosting the night show on Mix M-F for a year or two. When the "merger" took place and I was kept for the newly merged company, I realized after nine years at XM that my time was up. An opportunity became available at Mix 106.5 for an afternoon drive with my girl Jenn Marino and Music Director! The culture changed at XM, and I figured, time to bet on myself! If my ratings were good, so would my now family of 5 I had to provide for. Well, 12 years in, so much has changed at Mix 106.5, but I'm still here, and so is the station! Sorry…see, I don't do brief!
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
What every first radio gig should be, part-time overnights in the middle of nowhere in a converted barn/house where the owner lived and would ask me to turn the music down in the studio and then request a wake-up call, for like 4 am to go to Atlantic City! If you guessed 98YCR in York/Hanover…you win a corn stalk!
2. What led you to a career in radio?
My shyness and love of music. I always felt the fascination of "fame" but feared being famous. So, when I was growing up in the late '70s/'80s, radio was king, and we had little clue who the DJs were. THAT WAS AWESOME! Fame and anonymity…PERFECT! Until the '90s… the internet!
3. There's excellent radio history in Baltimore, which you've been a part of since the early 90s. What makes your relationship with Charm City so enduring and unique?
Wow, this is a particular question. It's not lost on me how rare a situation/relationship like this is. I've been at Mix 106.5 long; this current "stint" just passed its 12th anniversary on 4/11/23, hosting afternoon drive. That said, I started as an 18-year-old promotion assistant, loading and unloading vans, setting up/breaking down appearances, and shadowing some of the greatest jocks in this area. I learned what works and what doesn't work. Here, I started meeting the public and creating bonds with anyone who seemed interested. I have met so many people! I will always treat you with respect, dignity, and genuine interest. In essence, I treat people the way I wish people treated me. I open my heart and my life up honestly every day on air. I'm honest to a fault…ask my family! (I get in trouble at home, often.)
4. What do you love about doing afternoons, and what does it mean to you to still be able to be on the r-a-d-i-o every day?
First, the second part…being on the radio daily means everything! In these times, having the trust and respect of your community is everything. I talk about ANYTHING, many non-top 40 "not so light" topics. It helps me process the world today, as I know it helps the audience. We have healthy conversations and don't always agree, but we always respect each other's opinions. I joke that it's my therapy session, and I'm the one on the couch! I LOVE that…I also love my hours, for the most part. Traffic getting in for a 2p show is not usually bad at all, and coming home at 7p…same! I also get to drive my kids to school! That said, they will all be in HS next year…so sleeping in is about to make its return!!! (Oh, how I've missed that!!)
5. Who would be a dream guest that you would love to have come to sit in on your show?
Dang, I've been so blessed to interview so many! If I had the "power," I'd bring back Stan Lee and sit him down for a heart-to-heart. I love and identify with duality and appreciate his view of the world.
6. In pre-merger days, XM Radio had studios in D.C., and you hung your hat there. What was that part of your career like?
Pre-merger XM was the BEST. I worked with some of the world's most talented personalities and programmers! I was hired during a hiring freeze by the late Great Kane in 2002. Then Mike Abrams ultimately took me under his wing and showed me the way of programming and mentoring talent. I was always encouraged to be me and was given many opportunities to shine! I was live from the Grammy's in LA twice, covered the MTV VMA's in the basement of Radio City Music Hall, interviewed EVERYONE, and was trusted to develop channels and grow the audience from under 100,000 subscribers to well over 3 million before I ultimately left on my own accord to do afternoons on Mix 106.5. The culture and environment of PRE-XM was terrific! Hat's off to Lee Abrams, Dave Logan, and our CEO Hugh Panero for creating something unique.
7. What's your all-time favorite backstage memory?
Damn, this is tough! Too many! P!nk at XM was incredibly kind! Bieber taught me how to "dance," Lenny Kravitz and I have a wildly embarrassing story that I made a complete ass out of myself in front of his girlfriend backstage…but one of my favorite moments was pre-show for a B102.7 concert at Pier Six Concert Pavilion overlooking the Inner Harbor in Baltimore from the lawn area and smoking a pre-show joint with Eagle Eye Cherry before anyone entered the venue…I was much younger, and that was the coolest, especially when it took place in the late '90s.
8. If you could take a spin in the custom 'All Access Back To The Future DeLorean,' which legendary station from the past would you like to work at for a week?
OOH FUN! There would be 2. First, 955PLJ! I grew up with them, interned with Scott & Todd, and befriended many staff over the years… 95.5 WPLJ! But having my roots so deep here in the DMV…also, the legendary WHFS on 99.1! Pretty much the soundtrack to my college years and one of the most LEGENDARY stations in this area.
9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
Easy, Z100/New York and PLJ! The NY radio wars in the '80s were the best. I loved the Morning Zoo with Scott Shannon, Ross Britain, Mr. Leonard (and his Lime Green Pinto), Elvis Duran, and Patty Steele! Then Scott & Todd on PLJ and The Rocky Allen Showgram! Shoutouts to AJ Hammer, Fast Jimmy, Jo Jo Morales, and Hollywood Hamilton!! So many talented jocks!!!
10. Who were your mentors? Whom would you say has influenced your career the most?
So many mentors! I would not be where I am without AJ Hammer, who convinced promotion director Hal Martin at 92Q to let me intern for free "just to learn" (long story, NY to Baltimore, but thank you, guys)! When it comes to my Content Team and managing skills, Mike Abrams! We met at XM, and the trust and knowledge Mike had in me and gave me will never be forgotten and have truly helped to guide my way. My Mix 106.5 family has also played a massive part in my career! Dave Burgess, Promotion Director and friend who showed me how to have a significant street presence and in-person connection, is SO IMPORTANT! Greg Carpenter, Maria Dennis, and I go back for over 20 years, and the kindness and knowledge they've shared is why I'm here as long as I am!! On the Top 40 side from B102.7, Jason Kidd and Albie Dee!!! Two of the best for cracking a mic and lighting up a market are always inspirations to be your best!
Most recently, Tom Cook, my current Program Director (I refuse this new title, Brand Manager, "BM," lol….NO). Tom has genuinely taken all the different "stages" of "Priestly" and allowed me to showcase them in a fuller show form, vs. the typical quick jock blasts or simple liner card reads. Tom has grown my story for the audience by being an encouraging supporter instead of a "less is more" or "brevity is the key" type of programmer. I can be me because of Brother T! Lastly, my family…my guiding light of truth. They keep me focused, grounded and hold me accountable for what I say and who I am. Special shout out Mo Gaba! #MoStrong
Bonus Questions
If someone were coming to town, where would you recommend they go for an unforgettable crab feast?
Let's be honest…no one knows better than my native Marylanders! You have to get lucky to be invited to the proper backyard crab fest! All my friends have their particular neighborhood "places"…I bounce from house to house and enjoy a crab or two and great company!
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