10 Questions with ... Tara Madison

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• WEZF/Burlington VT - 2010-Present
• WAZY/Lafayette IN - 2007-2009
• WNFB/Lake City FL - 2007
• WKZY/Gainesville, FL - 2006
• WSJZ & WAOA/Melbourne, FL - 2005-2006
• WEZN & WEFX/Bridgeport, CT - 2003-2005
• WKCI/Hamden, CT - 1992-1994 and 1998-2002

1) What Got You Interested In Radio?

I heard that the morning show guys were pulling in six figures working hours a day. That seemed like a pretty sweet deal! My, oh my!! How times have changed!

2) Who do you consider your radio mentors?

Samantha Stevens (WKCI and WEZN). We met at the college radio station (WOWL at SCSU in New Haven CT) back in 1991. She worked with me to become more comfortable on the air and she still mentors me to this day.

3) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?

I was a licensed commercial property and casualty insurance producer. Great money but I knew it wasn't where I'd be most happy.

4) What do you like best about working in this format?

I love the fact that moms know it is "safe" for their kids to be in the car and listen to Star.

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

"The Daily Dish" is my own spin of the three top Hollywood stories. Nan O'Brien is a world recognized intuitive life counselor that joins our morning show and taking listener calls for an hour each Tuesday.

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

Well, I didn't realize it THEN - but I suppose it would be Glenn Beck. He's a pretty big deal now from what I understand? :)

And although he tormented me when I interned for him at WKCI, Kelly Nash (now at WNOK) was pretty inspirational. He turned me into a professional cart cleaner and even supplied the cotton swabs!

7) How do you stay in tune with your audience?

Social Networking baby! I use Facebook, Myspace and I Tweet on a regular basis. It's a great tool! I also make it a priority to attend different functions for area organizations and schools within my community.

8) Your thoughts on Syndication and Voice-Tracking?

Great! As long as I'm the one getting paid the beans for MY syndicated show! I bet Ryan Seacrest would agree!

9) Tell us what music we would find on your I-Pod right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?

I love a little bit of all genres of music. I like everything from Rock and R&B, to Oldies. You'll see Peabo Bryson, The Carpenters, Van Halen, Sarah McLachlan, Prince, Michael Jackson, Shinedown, Nickleback ...

10) Why would someone listen to your station instead of listening to music on their iPod?

Personality! It's pure entertainment value!

1) How do you prep yourself for your radio shift?

A lot of sleep!

2) Which new artists do you expect to still be playing in five years?

Lady Antebellum

3) Favorite artist you have met?

Vanilla Ice. He was so fun to hang out with that I did it again...and again...

4) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?

Nickleback. Chad Kroeger was VERY real. It was an INCREDIBLE show!

5) What's the closest you ever came to getting arrested for an on-air stunt? Or did you actually get arrested?

I have interns do the stunts so that I can keep a clean criminal background.