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10 Questions with ... Greg Almond
September 21, 2009
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NAME:Greg AlmondTITLE:Afternoons/ImagingSTATIONS:WUHUMARKET:Bowling Green, KYCOMPANY:Forever CommunicationsBORN:6/30/81 in Gastonia, NCRAISED:Gastonia, NC
Please outline your radio career so far:
WBT/Charlotte, NC - 2005-2006
WLNK/Charlotte, NC - 2006-2007
WUHU/Bowling Green, KY - 2007-Present1) What Got You Interested In Radio?
The first draw to radio was music. But I soon learned that your personality and ability to connect with the audience is just as important. I felt that my talents and interests would fit radio.
2) What is your favorite part of the job?
When someone tells me I make their commute, afternoon, workday, weekend or morning better.
3) Describe a typical day in your position?
I get to work. I look through my emails. Then I lay out what needs to be done before I get on the air. A lot of production needs to be done before my shift, but sometimes I can do it afterwards. Then I prep, do interviews, and update the web site. Some days there are live broadcasts and sometimes there are community events.
4) What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?
Channel 95.5 in Detroit. It just looks like a blast, and they do the types of promotions I'd like to be able to do one day.
5) What type of features do you run on the station?
I have a segment called the "Community Corner" which highlights local events. I also do birthdays, horoscopes, and the "Drive Time Gas Report" which tells people where to find the cheapest gas. I just came up with a fun game called "Who Dat Is?"...I play an audio clip of a celebrity and the listener has to name them...but they have to say "Who Dat Is" or it doesn't count.
6) How do you stay in tune with your audience?
Get out and live a life! Go where they go, do what they do, watch what they watch, and listen to what they listen to. Basically for me..."be a chick," which is easier than I would like it to be some days.
7) How do you prep yourself for your radio shift?
I have several pep services and I look at any web site that someone in our demo may be looking at. Plus, I look at the local news sites and I keep track of interesting things that happen to me. Some of the sites I look at are Complete Sheet, Sheet Happens., Premiere Prep, and Fark.
8) What do you think is the next emerging music trend?
This Poppy Glam Rock like Cobra Starship and 3OH!3E.
9) How much time do you spend surfing the net?
I try to do it regularly when I'm on the air so I can break news as it happens. Being the first to report news (celebrity or otherwise) makes you sound more live. Plus, we don't have the luxury of a traffic service, so you have to look for those things that separate you from the competition.
10) What area of your "game" do you want to improve?
I want to tighten up my jocking skills so that I can lead a show, not just be a support person. I also want to always get better at brainstorming. Ideas are so valuable in this industry it's not bad to have too many.
Bonus Questions
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
I ran the board on Saturday morning at WBT for Charlotte's Morning News as well as their gardening, home improvement, and health shows.
2) Who were your early influences?
WLNK/Charlotte, NC's morning show with Bob & Sheri.
3) Who do you consider your radio mentor(s)?
WLNK/Charlotte, NC's afternoon show with Candy & Potter.
4) Who would be your dream guest on the show?
Barack Obama.
5) For someone vacationing in your market, what one thing would you say they "must see"?
The Corvette Museum, hands down!!
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