10 Questions with ... Bob Schmidt

NAME:Bob Schmidt TITLE:Assistant Program Director, Producer, and Host of Early Morning BS SHOW:NewsTalk 1410 WIZM am MARKET:La Crosse, WI COMPANY:Mid-West Family Broadcasting BORN:San Diego RAISED:Roseville, Minnesota PODCASTS:www.1410wizm.com/emb

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Started off at Brown one month after graduating from High School in 1987. Been in radio almost exclusively since then. I have worked in AC, Top 40, Country and NewsTalk. I have been in La Crosse, Wisconsin since 1992 and at WIZM since 1994.

1. How did you get into radio? Why radio?

I got into Radio to meet girls and bands. Also to make money. I got to do 2 of 3.

2. About what are you most passionate these days?

I guess as I am getting older I am more passionate about the time I get to spend with my family, friends and living my show prep. I am also noticing that politics, especially local politics, and strong opinions have creeped in to conversations that I have with friends.

3. You didn't start out as a talk host, but you wound up as a talker for the long haul (while still doing music radio, too). What have you learned about talk radio since starting out, and what's the hardest part of doing a daily morning talk show?

I find the hardest thing about doing a daily early morning show is finding topics to keep the excitement and interest of the listeners; my show runs only 30 minutes from 5:30-6am and in a small market. I was told early on not to expect any calls or any feedback. I have been lucky -- most days, I touch a nerve and get calls.

4. You came out of school in the Twin Cities and went to several small markets before landing in La Crosse, and that's where you put down roots and became a part of the community. What was it about La Crosse that made you want to stay there? What's the best thing about living and working in La Crosse?

The best part of living here is the camaraderie among the community and the media. We are lucky that even though there are a dozen radio signals in La Crosse, we all seem to get along. I also like that there are not a lot of egos here either.

5. In your crystal ball, what do you see for talk radio in ten years -- do you think there will be more local talk, less, or about the same? Do you expect that there will always be a role for local talk, or will most local talk be replaced by cheaper syndication before then?

I guess I am an optimist. I feel that local talk radio has a better future than music radio, and a chance of growing in the future, since you can get music from your mp3 players, CDs and the Internet, but if you want to know what is going on here and now and want your say, you turn to local talk radio.

6. Of what are you most proud?

The fact that I am a father of 4 and a husband for 19 years. In 1997 I organized a flood relief through the radio station for the Red River Flood and we filled 5 semis full of supplies and raised over $50,000. I also am proud of the community service that I do as a member of the La Crosse Jaycees, and as a Den Leader for my son's Cub Scouts.

7. Who have been your mentors and inspirations in the business?

If you start at the beginning of my career as a radio guy, I used to intern for Humble Billy Hayes at KDWB; he let me run the board for him every once in a while, and taught me tons about the business of radio. In the early 90's I had Tom Kelly as a Program Director in Scottsbluff, Nebraska; he taught me about show prep and the importance of a TOMA sheet (Top Of Mind Awareness) . I mentioned Mike Hayes earlier, but the biggest influence in my talk radio career has been my current General Manager, Dick Record; he has shown me that you can be a good boss and run a successful radio company by surrounding yourself with good hard-working people. The fact that I am the newest employee at WIZM and I have been here for 15 years should say something; also, that we are a small market radio station and we have three live talk shows everyday... unbelievable.

8. What do you do for fun?

I love to go fishing: my buddies and I charter a boat on Lake Michigan for a weekend in June and catch salmon. I love going to the family cabin; work there doesn't seem like work. I also enjoy playing Texas Hold 'Em with my friends. I always get some sort of news tip from my card playing friends. I am also in an improv group -- not only is that a blast, but it's therapeutic.

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

...calling my kids before school to tell them I love them. Life is way too short to not tell loved ones how you feel. I also can't live without my Tivo. What a great invention.

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

Best radio advice: Domino Rippey once said, when I was an intern at KDWB, that it doesn't matter what your board looks like or what format you are working; your job is to entertain.

The worst thing a boss ever told me when I quit was "you will be missed as much as the hole your fist will leave in a bucket of water."