10 Questions with ... Paul Barsky

NAME:Paul Barsky TITLE:Talk Show Host STATION:WYSP MARKET:Philadelphia COMPANY:CBS Radio BORN:Buffalo, NY RAISED:Long Island, NY

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

WAXC, WHFM, WBBF Rochester NY
ABC's Superadio, New York
WCAU-FM Philadelphia
WLS-FM Chicago
KRBE Houston
WPLY, WMMR, WPTP, WYSP, all in Philadelphia

1. What got you into radio and why?

I always was into comedy and performing. I was like most people who got into the biz -- I was looking for acceptance and needed to hear the applause. Unfortunately in radio, you can't hear any applause. When I was in college in upstate New York, I saw that radio might be a good way to channel some of my creativity and make a couple of bucks as well. I caught the bug and became obsessed with getting a job in Rochester, which I finally did after sending tape after tape to a guy named Bob Scott at WAXC. He kept turning me down, but I kept coming at him with tapes every week. I finally was hired, probably because I was such a pain in the ass.

2. About what are you most passionate these days?

Obviously, in today's climate, freedom of speech issues are top of the mind. Each day we go on and do a 4 hour talk show and each day it's like going out there with a loaded gun. The possibility that you are literally an "F-Bomb" away from losing your show or the possibility that something you may say might be an issue with a certain group of people certainly makes the job more of a challenge.

3. You're doing talk now after years (decades!) of doing morning shows on music stations- is there any difference at all in how you approach the show now as opposed to when you were doing top 40 mornings?

Well, the only difference is now I'm not playing music. It's pretty much the same type of show that I've been doing for the past 15 years, with a few demographic adjustments. We're appealing to an 18-49 Male audience rather than more of a 50/50 male to female demo from some of my past shows. Also, there's more prep work that goes into putting on 4 hours of new content a day.

4. Why do you think you've been able to establish longevity in the Philadelphia market, which is often a tough market in which to gain acceptance? What kinds of things do you do to stay in tune with the locals?

Philly is most definitely a tough town. But once they accept you... you're family for life. I was lucky enough to have clicked with the market when I first arrived at WCAU-FM 25 years ago. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that I was from New York and had an east coast kind of sound. New York and Philly are very close not only geographically, but in attitude. Even when I left in 1985 for Chicago, I kept a home in Philly. I guess, in the back of my mind, I always knew that I'd eventually return. Because I've been here off and on for so many years, I'm pretty well versed on the history of the city in terms of its folklore, pop culture, sports teams, and legendary characters. My cohorts Kim and Vinnie are Philly natives and between the three of us we share our Philadelphia stories with the listeners and they do the same with us.

5. What have been the highest and lowest points in your career thus far?

I guess being plucked out of Rochester by legendary programmer Rick Sklar to be part of ABC's Superadio was my first high point. He chose me out of 500 tapes to be in his words "the radio personality of the future." It was to be a 24 hour coast to coast syndicated network. It was like a dream -- it was hard to believe that one minute, I'm a complete unknown in Rochester, and the next, I'm in New York in a room at a press conference with some of the biggest jocks in the biz. It was also a low point in that it never got off the ground and was cancelled. It was a life lesson that I'm glad I learned in the beginning of my career. But as the saying goes "When one door closes..." The other door that opened was the door at WCAU-FM in Philadelphia... and that's when the journey REALLY began. Another high point in my career which became the highest point in my personal life was taking the morning job at KRBE in Houston. That's where I met my on air news woman and partner Darian Hunter who later became my wife, Cindy.

6. Who are your heroes?

I know it might sound cliche', but my Dad comes to mind first. He's a guy who started with literally nothing beat the odds and made something of himself. I also consider the men and women who devote their lives on a daily basis to serve and protect the rest of us... the military, cops, firefighters, EMT's... those are my heroes. Overpaid celebs, athletes, politicians, etc. -- I could care less.

7. Of what are you most proud?

I guess I'm probably most proud of the work that I'm doing right now for CBS radio's WYSP. It's finally the show that I've always wanted to do, and it continues to evolve. It showcases all sides of my personality, and I get a lot of satisfaction from the feedback of our listeners. When they write and tell me that the show is an important part of their daily routine, it means the world to me. Whether we make them laugh or think or discuss one of the topics from the show later at home, to know that you're making a connection with your audience makes it all worth while.

8. What do you do for fun?

Blackjack in Atlantic City or Vegas, and traveling with my family.

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

...air.

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

The best advice came early in my career from someone who told me "play up your strengths, and don't try to be something you're not." The

worst advice came from the same guy, who said, "Don't ever take the advice I give you seriously."