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10 Questions with ... Sandra Golden
August 4, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Florida State University, Gulf Coast College, TV in Tallahassee and Atlanta, Fox Sports Net, WSB-TV/Atlanta, Comcast Sportsnet South, and WCNN (680 The Fan). 4 AP Awards, 2 Emmys.
1. You started in TV out of college -- first, what made you want to go into sports media? And then, what got you onto the radio side?
I am really tight with my father. I was chasing him around at 8 years old when he was an umpire; by 10 I knew every starting QB in the NFL, and his backup. I thought every girl did that...
In '93, one of the Executive Producers at Prime Ticket in L.A. was chatting with me, and said, "You've got to go into sports. You have the knowledge organically." The next thing I knew, I was on the set at Prime Ticket, and had a reel. Long, and blessed TV career, in fact, still doing it.
Radio? I was at an event in Atlanta back in 2004, and met Steak Shapiro, who hosted the Sports Talk show I listened to every morning. He's really funny, and engaging. He asked me to come in for a segment, and from that point, he hired me.
2. Your current show has you working with two very different personalities, longtime Atlanta sports talker Steak Shapiro and former Falcon (and Villanova -- couldn't forget that) player Brian Finneran. What is it like working with these guys -- what do each of them bring to the show, and how do you see your role?
They're not only my teammates, but my friends. Steak is so talented, and has such a great instinct with SPORTS TOPICS! That's a gift. Finn is the most likeable guy on earth, that played in the NFL for 12 years, as an Undrafted Kid out of NOVA! ;) His insights and relationships in the league are priceless.
The roles are clearly defined. I find that's when shows I have been on, have worked. "Know your role, shut your hole." Steak is a point guy, and goes out of his way to set both Brian and me up for success. He knows our strengths and plays to them, in my opinion. I'm not the third banana. I won't ever do a show like that. I am a teammate. They respect me and my listeners do , too. That's really important to me.
3. Okay, you get to defend Atlanta here: The image of the Atlanta fan outside the region is that, well, they aren't all that supportive, even in good times; you'll see photos of empty sections at Turner Field, for example, or for the Hawks (unless I'm in town, in which case they sell out and I don't get in). What IS the Atlanta fan really like?
We ATL fans are busy. ;)
We are real focused on winning, and if you're not winning, we're going to find another 17 things to do. The Braves situation at Turner Field is unexplainable. I was there, chopping away. But, where the stadium is located, it's a good hour away from the burbs. Oh, and I don't know if you've heard about the traffic here {she says with sarcasm and a smile}.
The HAWKS caught fire this year. You couldn't get a ticket. It was fantastic. Again, winning cures it all.
4. Related question: If you had to pin down what topics work best on Atlanta sports radio, what are fans most interested in hearing and talking about? Is it football? Is it college or pro? Was there any traction with the Hawks during last season's surprise run?
It's football, and then after that more football, and if I had to pick a third topic, it would be football.
Georgia Football is one, Falcons is two, SEC football is three, ...... Braves would be fourth, and Hawks 5th....... Even in the heat of the 19 game win streak, it was football.
5. You've interviewed a wide range of athletes and celebrities. Who has been your favorite interview, and who, if you feel comfortable calling him or her out, was the worst?
I've got a handful of favorites. Bobby Bowden is an extraordinary human being. I'm so lucky that my first sports job was in Tallahassee with that guy! Dream Job.
Chipper Jones is another favorite of mine. We kinda grew up together with the Braves. I was at every one of his spring trainings! He really was great with me, very respectful of the job I had to do. I was the Braves Sideline reporter for 3 years, so was with the team a great deal. He trusted me.
Tim Hudson is as good as it gets.
Honorable mentions: Mark Richt, Matt Ryan, Brian Finneran was one of my faves, Tom Glavine, Warrick Dunn, Terry Pendleton, Jeff Francoeur, Brian McCann.
So many great guys! And girls...
Stop me if you've heard this before, Tiger Woods was a jerk. Met him when I worked in West Palm Beach. He was at the Honda Classic , and was really rude to all, not just me. I watched him on a satellite feed in my newsroom too. Hate how he treats people.
6. Since social media is pretty much a constant topic in radio these days, the obligatory question: How are you using social media in conjunction with your radio work? Is it a source of material, a place for engagement with listeners, or something else?
I don't know how people in this or any other broadcasting business can work, research, and stay relevant without Twitter. I find the news feed to be crucial.
I am very active on Twitter. I'm on the feed during our whole show, teasing exactly what's next, and interacting with listeners. I really enjoy it. There's such an immediate connection with people.
7. Of what are you most proud?
I love that question!
My relationship with my mother and father. They're remarkable people. I still strive to make them proud.
I like that I left every single job I've ever had in my life on good terms. Even when I was let go, I'm friends with the people fired me. "We're going in another direction" Friendships last. Jobs don't.
8. Who have been your inspirations and influences in the business and in life?
Steak Shapiro has been a Godsend. He gave me my first shot.
Pam Oliver is a great friend of mine. She's my idol. She's done the female side of sports PERFECTLY. She also taught me to always help other women. We are notorious for knocking each other down, I have really tried to pay it forward for what Pam did for me.
Larry Wachs is the smartest radio person I've EVER met. On another level. I watch and listen to him. Great guidance and spot on instincts. He's two steps ahead of all things radio.
Personally, my parents have taught me balance in life. My job can't be my whole life. My job is what I do. It's PART of who I am, but family, boyfriend, friends, travel, charity, adventures, food, style, showtunes, and an obsession with "The Office" also are part of who I am.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.
...laughter
10. What's the most valuable lesson you've learned in your career?
When life gives you a detour, take it! Our business of radio/tv is so fickle. One day you're the best at what you do, the next... well, "we're going in another direction". Always have a backup plan, and full address book of folks that will help you. People you worked WITH, not for. Every job, I've gotten through people I worked with. NEVER AN AGENT. {Did I mention, NEVER did an agent get me a job.}
Oh, and my mom gave me great advice early on.... "DRESS HOW YOU WANT TO BE TREATED." She was right.
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