10 Questions with ... Frank Morano

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

College radio at WNYU/New York; Producer/host, WNYM (Am 970 The Answer)/New York; Producer/Host, WABC/New York

1. First, how did you get your start in radio... and why radio? What drew you to the business?

For me, working in radio was largely an extension of being a lifelong fan of radio. From the time that I was 8 years old, I was hooked on the talk radio format. As far as I’m concerned, there’s absolutely no better medium for entertainment or information. I would always write to my favorite hosts and call into their shows. When I was 16, I started hosting a Public Access cable TV show, which gave me the opportunity to interview and meet a lot of interesting people and learn more about the format of doing a talk show- what works and what doesn’t.

While attending NYU, I was on the radio station there and then started interning at WABC. As an intern, I was able to generate a lot of on-air opportunities. I then became a Producer and fill-in talk show host. While producing various radio shows at AM 970 in NYC, I got the opportunity to host a show once a week, in addition to producing various shows. None of those shows have had more of an impact on my life than the ability to work with John Catsimatidis. When, purchased 77WABC, he was kind enough to bring me back as one of his first hires, bringing a lifelong dream to fruition in the process.

2. What makes overnight talk radio different from daytimes? What differences are there in the mindset of the audience in overnights as opposed to the rest of the day, and what do you do to appeal to the overnight audience?

The first thing that makes it different is that it isn’t one audience: it’s a collection of five. The first part of the show is dominated by people staying out late and listening to you as they’re coming home from work or a night out on the town. The latter part of the show is dominated by people who are getting up early to start their day. The entirety of the show includes people who are having a tough time sleeping. Additionally, there are a whole bunch of folks who are listening while working, off hours and relying on you to help them pass the time. Lastly, there’s a huge portion of the audience that misses the entire show live and listens to the podcast.

Folks that tune in overnight generally have more time to listen longer. Whereas the morning show listener may have fifteen minutes to listen as they get ready and get the kids dressed, you can do a one hour interview overnight. Additionally, by the time the overnight audience roles around, they already know what the news is and may have an opinion about it, so you have a bit more freedom to have fun, be silly, explore off beat subjects or do an in-depth discussion on something they may only have a superficial knowledge of.

3. Speaking of being different, you're known for being politically independent and having been active with various "third parties." From the perspective of a talk radio host as well as a political activist, do you think that the center -- independents -- will be more or less influential moving forward in a polarized political climate? Do you think there's room for independent politics on talk radio these days?

One of the reasons that I do think independents will be more of an integral element to both electoral politics and the media going forward is that polling suggests that younger people are registering as independents in much higher proportions. They don’t have the same brand loyalty to a political party or an ideology that their parents did. While, I’m sure many of them will see their voting habits change over time, the fact that young people have a more independent spirit and will soon be the majority in the workforce (with all the disposable income that comes with that) means that independents are going to be the most pivotal force in determining elections (and ad spending) in the future.

Additionally, with a majority of Democrats preferring someone other than Biden and the majority of Republicans preferring someone other than Trump, I think in the short term, the fact that these are the two most likely major party Presidential candidates in 2024 provide an incredible opportunity for a third party or independent candidate in 2024.

Finally, the one thing that Republican and Democratic voters seem to have in common is a distrust and a cynicism about Washington, which makes an independent commentator a refreshing voice to many.

Most important though, I’ve noticed that listeners of all political stripes will still listen to you if you’re intellectually honest about why you believe what you say you believe, as long as you’re entertaining in the process.

4. You've built quite a list of interview subjects -- who's been your favorite interview, and why?

So many to choose from, but if I had to pick one, it would be William Shatner. I’ve idolized him since I was a child and to be able to ask him questions about subjects I’m genuinely curious about is the definition of a dream come true.

5. What's a typical day like for you? How do you do those late-night hours and stay sane?

The hours are a challenge, but honestly, I’m so enthusiastic and energized by the work I’m doing that I rarely feel fatigued. A typical weekday genuinely goes like this:

1:30 PM ET or so…. Wake up and look after my 14 month old son. Once he takes a nap around 215 or 230. I’ll try to squeeze in 45-60 minutes of work.

5 PM ET- My wife finishes her work day, so she looks after our son, while I begin my day preparing for that night’s show, while listening to the Cats at Night show, the only show, other than my own, I never miss.

6:30 PM ET- I have dinner with my wife Rachel and son.

7:00 PM ET- Jeopardy

7:30 PM ET- Brush my son’s teeth, say a prayer and put him to bed.

7:45 PM ET- Resume working on that night’s show.

10:00 PM ET (assuming there are no interviews for the show or for my podcast to record), I’ll leave for work

11:00 PM ET- Arrive at the radio station and continue show prep until 1:00 AM ET.

1-5 AM ET- The show

5-5:45 AM ET- Any post show recordings that need to be done

6:40 AM ET- Occasional guest appearance on Sid and Friends in the Morning (usually once a week)

7:30 AM ET- Bed Time

6. Your ratings have been notably big -- you've been the number one show 12+ 1-5a weeknights for most of the last year. Why do you think that is? (Yes, this is where you get to brag.) What are you providing that other stations aren't?

I don’t think there’s just one reason, but there are a few things I think we’ve done very well, which have helped:

We try to find the topics every other show is doing…. And then do none of those. Folks know the topics we’re doing won’t be heard on any other show.

We don’t take ourselves too seriously, which generally makes the show pretty entertaining.

During interviews, I try to speak as little as possible, while asking questions that are as informed as possible, so listeners know that they’re going to hear a very different type of radio from what they typically do.

We have some of the wackiest (and most entertaining) callers on the radio.

It’s fun.

7. Who are your inspirations, influences, and/or mentors in the business?

As far as people that I’ve never met, the two people who I’ve listened to so much over the years, that I feel I owe a percentage of my salary to have been Howard Stern and Rush Limbaugh.

One of the great joys of working in radio though has been that I’ve gotten to meet and work with so many of the great radio talents I’ve admired over the years, who have also been so generous with advice and guidance, including:

Curtis Sliwa (who has also been integral in every radio opportunity I’ve ever gotten)
Joe Franklin
John Gambling
Tom Leykis
Bob Grant
Jay Diamond
Alan Colmes
Brian Whitman
Richard Bey
Doug McIntyre
George Weber also taught me so much about every aspect of radio.
Most of all, John Catsimatidis. Not only has he been a friend and a mentor, but he’s given me more opportunities than I could’ve ever dreamed and he gives me the freedom to do the kind of radio show that I think will be successful. I’ve never had this degree of freedom and I thank God every day for a leader like him.

8. Of what are you most proud?

The enormous audience we’ve managed to build among people incarcerated in our listening area. These are folks who use radio as their lifeline to the world and the fact that they choose to listen to me means a great deal.

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

...hugging my son.

10. What's the most important lesson you've learned in your career thus far?

Absolutely no one is irreplaceable.