10 Questions with ... Scott West

NAME:Scott West TITLE:Co-Host/"Daybreak USA" NETWORK:USA Radio Network MARKET:Syndicated COMPANY:USA Radio Network BORN:Newark, NJ/Aug 11th RAISED:NJ/NY

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

New York, NY- WWRL-AM, WRVR-FM, WKHK-FM
Dallas/Fort Worth, TX-KNOK-FM, KKDA-K-104FM, KHYI-FM, KVIL-FM, KLIF-AM, KRBV-V100FM, KRNB-FM, ABC Radio Networks, USA Radio Networks

1. How did you get your start in radio- why radio? What drove you to want to chuck the phone company job and start over in radio?

In 1978 I was working for the phone company, and doing mobile DJ work throughout the tri-state area. All the while, it was a supervisor from a former job whose words kept ringing in my ear that became the catalyst for my pursuing radio. She came into my work area one day and heard one of my `make-believe' radio shows that I had put together for our entertainment in the mailroom at Insurance Company of North America in East Orange, NJ. It was complete with commercials I read myself, like the ones I'd hear Ken `Spider' Webb, Frankie Crocker, Gerry Bledsoe, Vaughn Harper and other DJ's I grew up listening to read on their shows. After spending what seemed like 10 minutes in the mailroom with us, Barbara Meisel (I'll never forget her name) suddenly seemed to realize what she was listening to. I remember her looking at me for a long time, reaching up to the shelf where the cassette player was perched and cutting it off. She then shook her head and said to me, "You missed your calling, young man."

Over the years I've learned to recognize that what she said was meant as a compliment, but my strained relationship with her at the time and the arrogance of youth made me take it all wrong and it ate at me for a couple of years. At that point I devoured everything I could about radio, joined one of those broadcast training `schools', even took a homemade demo of me reading commercials to a local production house to try and get voiceover work. The guy asked me if I had ever done broadcast work. When I told him no he said "get some broadcast work and I'll try you out." A few months later I walked in the door at WWRL in Queens, New York and asked for work. Diane Lacy was the public affairs director at the time and she must have seen something in me because she went upstairs and talked to then PD Bob Law, who offered me an unpaid internship. Mind you, I was not a college student. I was married and had a one year old. That was Feb 14th, 1979 and I've been in radio ever since.

2. About what are you most passionate these days?

These days it's getting to use my God-given and family nurtured gift to entertain and inform millions of people everyday, and I mean that! My father recognized at an early age that I had people skills, and from the time I was 7 years old I remember never being shy about getting up in front of the class or the congregation and reading aloud or performing. Dad raised me to speak the `King's English,' and without that training it would never have been possible for me to make the strides I have in this business. In fact, I believe Arron's passion for language (he was a professional lyricist with a few published songs) is another of the things that fueled my passion for radio.

Though I haven't always loved the places I've worked, I've always loved what I do. Every week I get to talk with newsmakers like Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, Chandra Wilson from "Grey's Anatomy," Alonzo Mourning of the Miami Heat, The Donald, President Jimmy Carter and Tom Delay. Then I leave the radio booth and go into a sound booth and voice spots for Papa John's pizza, IBM, or an animated video series like Beet the Vandal Buster. Ever since Barbara Meisel said I had missed my calling, I've been passionate about answering the call.

3. You were mostly a music station personality, with some years as a sports director, too. How has the transition to talk host been for you- what are the biggest differences between doing a music show and a talk show (besides, of course, the absence of music)? Is it tougher to go from music to talk or between music formats (like when you went from Jazz to Country)?

From the time I began in this business, one of my mentors, Bobby Jay, told me, "develop a working knowledge of every facet of broadcasting. Don't be one dimensional." Thanks to Bobby and all of the pros at my first stations in New York, I became truly versatile.

Plus, another of the things I would have drilled in my head was `radio is what happens between the records.' So I was never just a time-temperature-call letters kind of jock. You learned that it was important to be well read. I had to know what was happening in the world, not just the world specific to my format. That's why as soon as I became an on air personality at 'RL, I was asked to fill-in for the gospel show, public affairs show, even Jeff Barnes weekend "Sounds of the Caribbean" program.

In 1980 when then Viacom National PD Bill Figenshu finished shocking the New York radio world by announcing the flip of WRVR from Jazz to Country, he asked me "are you a jazz jock or are you an air personality?" "Air personality, baby!" So after that 1980 experience, going from "The Scott West Trafficjam" on K-104fm to Sports Director of The Dallas Cowboys flagship, KVIL-FM and doing sports talk radio on a music station, or moving from a fulltime talker like KLIF-AM back to UAC V-100 was all part of being an air personality. If you're an accomplished chef, does it really make a difference what dish you're asked to serve? In fact, I only made one fundamental change through all those format acrobatics. In New York, I was Wayne Scott; in Texas I became Scott West.

4. Who's the best interview you've done so far? And if you could get any one living person for an interview- anyone at all- who would it be and why?

When I was with ABC Radio Networks, one of the shows I produced was "The Roots of R&B." I got to talk with R&B legends and blend our conversations with some of their best music. Perhaps the one that stands out the most was with Larry Dunn of Earth Wind & Fire. Not only did I receive tons of listener calls about it, Larry said it was one of the best he ever did. It's an interview that helped forge a good rapport and we still stay in touch to this day.

Among the interviews I've done most recently, it would be my conversation with Phil and Susan Ershler. They became the first couple to climb the fabled Seven Summits. She was 36 and had never hiked or climbed before and he battled cancer in the midst of their quest. Of the literally thousands of interviews that I've done, that was one of the most enjoyable. While I got to do that one solo, I am part of a team on "Daybreak USA". My partner is Al Lerner and it is a great experience sharing the stage with him every morning. Together we had the privilege of doing what we believe to be the last interview with the great humorist Art Buchwald before he passed away.

As for an interview I haven't done, I'd have to say Denzel Washington. I saw him on an Oprah not long ago and he said some things that struck a cord in me. He talked about being raised by a dad who was a minister, like me, and having questioned whether he should become a minister, as I did. He also said he realized that what he was doing WAS a ministry. He also talked about how his belief in God and the power of prayer impacts everything he does, from the defiant soldier in "Glory" to the crooked cop in "Training Day". Denzel said "I don't suggest what others should believe, I'm telling you what I believe and what works for me. And I'm telling you I have the proof and I am the proof". When it comes to my life and career, Denzel and I are on the same page. If I could only have one final interview opportunity, he would be it.

5. Who are your heroes?

Webster's defines "Hero" as a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal. Well, thankfully, I have a few role models without whom I wouldn't be answering these ten questions.

There's my first program director, Bob Law. He didn't have to give a rookie radio wannabe a shot in the #1 market in the world, but he did, and I am forever grateful. There were the on air and support staff at 'RL and RVR, particularly Bobby Jay, Gary Byrd, Sergio Dean, Gerry Bledsoe, Pat Prescott, Diane Lacy, James Golden, and Darcel, some of them putting up with my constant pestering for them to listen to `one more audition tape'. I can't forget my `Uncle' Vaughn Harper, the definitive Quiet Storm host of WBLS. Despite never working together he embraced me and became a mentor and friend, something rival station personnel these days rarely ever do. When I moved to Texas there were a few new found heroes. Bob Ray Sanders of the Fort Worth-Star Telegram and KERA-TV. His ability to help me deal with the culture shock which challenged me those first two years in DFW saved me from going `postal'. Three of my Texas heroes are strong female professionals. Terry Avery, who I worked with for five championship years at K-104, there's not a sharper PD in the game. Joyce King and I spent five award winning years at KVIL-FM. The insight she has shared in her three books and numerous USA-Today columns, for me, is always a phone call away. Arthel Neville has become one of the most imitated TV personalities in the nation. She recently co-hosted on "The View"." Her friendship and advice has helped me through the many changes this business can take you through.

6. If you hadn't gone into radio/voice work, what do you imagine you'd be doing today?

I have been on the air in one format or another for 28yrs. During that time I have ventured into other areas. Network marketing opened up a whole new arena for me a few years ago when I partnered with my best friend in a couple of opportunities. My broadcast experience has also been helpful in working with a sports marketing company called The Sportsgroup. I help train the athletes they represent to sound as good as they play. It's safe to say that up until 7 years ago, I couldn't imagine doing anything else but radio and voice work. Now I can imagine doing that and so much more.

7. Of what are you most proud?

Personally, I'm most proud of my daughters Kathleen and Kassandra. While most of the credit is due to their mom, I'm grateful for the role I get to play in their lives and those of their children. Yeah, I'm a grandpa!

Professionally, I've received a few awards and been a part of some #1 stations, but I am perhaps proudest of having been able to start my professional career in New York City. At the time I was told no one had done it before me. That may or may not be true. I do know at the time, being able to count people like Frankie Crocker, Dan Ingram, Chuck Leonard, G Keith Alexander and Gary Byrd as market peers straight out the gate is a rare privilege that I've never forgotten.

8. What do you do for fun?

Fun for me is spending quality time with quality people. After years of being a public person, what excites some doesn't really do it for me. Sports marketing work allows me the chance to attend major sporting events, but I really prefer the view from my couch. And part of my show prep has always been pop culture so being a movie fan hasn't hurt. In fact I could see myself producing a movie or one day at least being part of the film making process, developing a story or idea I was passionate about. Now that would be fun! Parties, concerts, rarely. Been there done that, got way too many tee shirts.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.

...prayer! Why? I would refer you to my answer to question #4..

10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?

The best advice was some of the most recent advice. It is: You don't know what you don't know. Only after you accept the fact that you can always learn will you grow mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

As for the worst advice, probably the advice I gave to myself 13 years ago. I decided to value doing sports radio over pursuing a business venture suggested by a good friend. It cost me at least hundreds of thousands of dollars. Thankfully God is known to give second chances and that friend is now my business partner and has proven to be my best friend.