10 Questions with ... Matt Harris

NAME:Matt Harris TITLE:Co-Host of the 'Matt and Ramona Show' STATIONS:WLNK, WQBX, WWJM, WMIS, KSKU, WYZY, WKZY, and WVNA MARKET:Charlotte, NC COMPANY:Greater Media BORN:Erie, PA RAISED:Doylestown, PA

Please outline your radio career so far:

WGLU/Johnstown, PA (1985-1992)
WZBH/Ocean City, MD (1992-1993)
WNCI/Columbus, OH (1993-1999)
WMMS/Cleveland (1999-2000)
WNVZ/Virginia Beach, VA (2000-2001)
WLNK, Charlotte, NC (2001-present)

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

Satin Jackets, Mullets, broken down station vehicles, and bar trade.

2) Who were your early influences?

Harry Kalas, Howard Stern, and John DeBella.

3) What is the biggest change that you'd like to see happen in the business?

Radio needs to create an awareness that women will listen to personality radio in all dayparts not just in the mornings.

4) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?

Rick Jackson and Neal Sharpe understand that tweaking music is not the future of FM radio. They know you need to have a product that is unique. You need to have destination radio in all day parts. Talk makes money.

5) What are your thoughts on Syndication and Voice-Tracking?

Syndication is only great when it's our show! Call Tony Garcia for details. (Ok...that was a cheap plug). But seriously, syndication allows stations to afford good talent. In turn, the listeners get good shows.

6) What is your favorite part of the job?

I love when an on-air conversation becomes a verbal ping-pong battle.

7) Who would be your dream guest on the show?

Rob Thomas. We had a feud with him a couple years ago. I would love to just hug it out with the big guy.

8) What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?

The worst was that, "Women don't want to hear conversations about sex." Hello?!?!? What about "Sex and the City?" "Cosmo?" etc.

9) Who is the most amazing talent you've worked with?

If I don't say Ramona she will rip off my man onions. Actually, it's true. She really is an amazing talent.

10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Be who you are. A radio "persona" can only last for so long.

1) What Got You Interested In Radio?

I wanted to be the Phillies play-by-play guy.

2) Who do you consider your radio mentor(s)?

Dave Robbins, and Dan Bowen.

3) What "reality show" could you see yourself appearing on and why?

I was on "What Not to Wear." So that makes sense.

4) What type of features do you run on the station?

We have "Tirade Tuesday" and "Intimate Issues" on Thursday.

5) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?

Anyone who knew me before my daughter was born would be shocked how much I am into being a dad.