10 Questions with ... Rob Rush

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• WHPC (Nassau Community College) (1995-1999)
• KJOY/Long Island, NY (1997-1998)
• WLIR/WDRE/WXXP/Long Island, NY (1998-2003)
• KJOY/WBZO/WMJC/WHLI/New York, NY (2003-present)

1) What Got You Interested In Radio?

I was always interested in doing something in the music field. I had a few bands in high school and when I went into college I didn't have a band, so I discovered the radio station at Nassau Community College. I remember being real nervous at the audition and then when my first shift came around, I fell in love. I felt if you can't physically play music, then play it off a CD (or MP3 now) and talk about it. What a great job!

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

Jim Green, PD at WHPC. He really ran that station like a commercial radio station. Most college stations are run by students. WHPC was, and still is run by Jim and other professionals. Gary Cee gave me my big "commercial" break on WLIR and taught me how to sell the product and how to mold myself from just an announcer to a personality. Andre Ferro taught me to have fun and also a thank you to Dave Widmer.

3) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

Technology is the most important thing facing radio today. I think programmers and management really have to have a forward thinking approach when it comes to grabbing listeners. Especially if they want younger listeners who are probably more attached to their i-gadget/Blackberry/Internet and video games.

4) Who was your most memorable artist you've ever interviewed?

My first "real" interview was with Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers backstage at Jones Beach in 2001. I was so nervous because this was the first time I was going backstage to interview somebody. I had questions written down on paper and while I was asking Chad a question he took the paper from me and started asking me my own questions. It was actually a very funny interview.

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

I'm pretty eclectic in my musical tastes, but anyone who knows me knows I LOVE Bruce Springsteen. I think I might have a man-crush on him. LOL! I just think like many Bruce fans, that he can capture any human emotion be it joy, sadness, loneliness, happiness and transcribe those feelings to song and make you think and feel. I also love bands from the 80's Hair Band era, Oldies and Jazz.

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

Umm, not this year..but any year I'd say a Bruce Springsteen concert!!

7) What's the best sweeper you've ever heard?

I've had the pleasure of working with Jon Daniels, PD at WMJC for years. When we worked together at the Bone (WDRE) we aired a sweeper aimed at Classic Rocker WRCN (which ironically is in the group of stations we are a part of now). The sweeper said "Bend Over RCN...Here come the BONE!!" That was awesome and made a pretty blatant statement that we were going to be a force to be reckoned with...and we were!

8) Your thoughts on Syndication and Voice-Tracking?

I do a lot of voice-tracking actually. Unfortunately, I think it's a necessary evil. I can see how companies can utilize it to save money, but also see how it limits a new kid from doing an overnight shift and starting his/her career. Syndication and voice-tracking will be part of radio for some time to come. Its technology and business mixed together.

9) What's the best hire you've ever made?

When I was the Production Director at WLIR, I got wind of this kid from California who was going to Hofstra and wanted to be in radio. He came up to the station for an interview and audition and I was amazed at his knowledge of radio and his ability to learn Pro Tools & Adobe Audition at a super fast rate. His name was Dave Plotkin and he was a real, real help to me when I was at WLIR. Dave is now the Production Director of the country's biggest News station, 1010 WINS in New York!

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

Jim Green, one of my mentors, told me a long time ago, "Don't burn any bridges in this business because you'll get blackballed." I didn't realize what he meant until a few years later when I saw just how many people I knew at this station, at that station, and so on and so forth. So my advice to anyone breaking into the business is "Don't be a Diva/Prima-Donna, and don't make too many enemies. They'll know where you are and know how to stamp you out!

1) How did you get your on-air name?

I didn't want to use my real name on the air, so when she was working at WLIR, Lynda Lopez (J-Lo's sister) suggested that I use the same initial in my first name "R" for my last name like hers. I was watching A&E a few nights later and the bio on Rush Limbaugh came on. I thought "Hmm,, Rob Rush would sound pretty good." Now when people ask if I named myself after Rush Limbaugh I say no. If it was a bio on Ronald Reagan or Joey Ramone I could have been Rob Reagan or Rob Ramone. It just so happened the Rush Limbaugh was on at that time and Rob Rush fit. LOL!

2) Favorite artist you have met?

Bret Michaels and Clarence Clemons.

3) Please describe the worst promotion you've ever been part of?

I think every jock has had the experience of showing up at a place, be it a bar or retail store, and the owner/manager has no idea the station is supposed to be there. They'll act real nasty towards you for the entire time you are there. All you want to do is do your job and they make it a nightmare because no one informed them the station was coming. Then you gotta ask them for the talent fee!!!

4) What advice would you give people new to the business?

Besides not being too much of a Diva like I mentioned before, I would tell someone wanting to break into the business to learn as much as he or she can about every aspect of the business. Learn about programming, production, promotion and sales. It's all intertwined and all an integral parts of the business. Just like with everything in life, the more you know the better adept you are to the stuff being thrown at you. Don't limit yourself by just "wanting to be on air". A) Not a lot of money. B) Not that employable because you are limiting yourself to just one aspect of the field.