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10 Questions with ... Fisher
June 29, 2009
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WMXB/Richmond, CA PD - May 2007 - Present;
WHZT/Greenville, SC (Top 40/Rhythm) PD - 4/01 - 05/07
WBLI/Long Island (Top 40) Asst. MD/Middays - 1/99 - 4/01
WABC-AM/NY, NY Board-Op - 01/98-03/00
WKCI/New Haven - WALK/Long Island - WLVG/Long Island Various Part Time1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
WBLI was my home town station. I started interning there in '93, and I thought it was the coolest place in the world! I got on-air in '95 and thought I was the luckiest person ever.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
Day one....how could you not get bitten by the bug...this is the GREATEST job in the world. Even after you realize you're not really famous or making good money, what other job is there where you can you affect so many people lives by talking?
3) Who do you consider your radio mentors?
Steve Hunter- OM Cox Radio Tulsa; Bob Willoughby - GM Cox Radio Richmond; Kim Guthrie RVP Cox Radio
4) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
The lack of ability to farm new talent. We used to have overnights and weekends where you could go to grow talent. But with voice-tracking and lack of actual people it's getting harder and harder to find new, good talent.
5) How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?
I think it has been ruined for the long-haul. We used to have relationships, now it's so formatic...forms...rules...no relationships...no one is really doing what's best for the station or the artist.
6) How do you feel about the new royalty rate increases for Internet radio and proposed royalties for terrestrial radio?
The royalties for terrestrial radio are a joke. The record companies and their artists aren't making money because they didn't embrace or capitalize on music downloads, I-Tunes...etc so let's blame radio and make us pay for their mistakes. It's a crock-o'-crap.
7) What approach do you take after a soft book?
Stay the course. The book sucks...PPM gives you better analysis of your week to week, the book shows you how you're doing after you're already done doing it. Not to mention the sampling is horrible. Of course you look at your plan and make sure you're on point but as long as you're sticking to the plan...stay the course.
8) What is the most rewarding promotion or activity your station has ever been involved with to benefit the community or a charity?
We have done several here at Cox Radio Richmond, but one that stands out was 'Resolution Blood Drive 2009'. All 4 stations here were involved with a 2 week interactive campaign which consisted of on air promotional support from programming and sales, and website exposure- featuring facts about giving blood, as well as event information. The campaign lead up to a 12 hour broadcast during the blood drive. All four radio stations were on site, encouraging Richmonders to make their New Year's resolution by coming out and saving 3 lives by donating blood. The result: 553 attendees and the collection of 481 pints. This equates to over 1,400 lives saved. The event just further proved the grassroots power of radio to activate its audience.
9) What should radio be doing now to secure a role in the future of the ever-changing media landscape?
Do what we do best...play music, stay local...stay entertaining and remember we're "celebrities" to most of our listeners and the closest contact they have to their fave stars....keep the myth going...be connected to your artists and your listeners and create the connection between the two.
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
I did several auditions on PLJ and had the unique opportunity to aircheck with Scott Shannon and Tom Cuddy. They suggested I keep it up and come back to them in 6 months, never followed up. I wound-up full-time at WBLI-Long Island which got me to where I am today, but I always missed being on in NYC.
Bonus Questions
1) Who was your most memorable artist you've ever interviewed?
Kanye West. I expected him to be arrogant and frankly a dick. But he was nothing like that. He was very cool....very relaxed and answered whatever I asked. Then he remembered me three weeks later when I saw him backstage at another radio show.
2) Describe the relationship you have with your fellow co-workers? How do you motivate your staff to do better? How do they motivate you?
We are all in this together, I am not successful without them and they cannot be successful without me. If they do not believe in the product then how can I expect them to be invested in the product? If I do not show them I am giving my all to the product how can they believe in me as their leader?
3) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
Never stop learning. You will never be too big, too important, or too old to stop learning. And just because an individual may not be on your level, make your money, or be as old as you, doesn't mean you cannot learn and grow from them.
4) What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?
My favorite quote: "You don't lead by pointing and telling people some place to go. You lead by going to that place and making a case." - Ken Kesey
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