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10 Questions with ... Sybil Summers
April 21, 2009
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NAME:Sybil SummersTITLE:The Girl on the ShowSHOW:KRLD-FM 105.3 The FanMARKET:DallasCOMPANY:CBS RadioBORN:Houston, TXRAISED:Arlington, TX
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started as an intern in 2001. Hired on as producer later that year. Eventually became EP. Began doing news in 2002. Joined nationally-syndicated NASCAR show as co-host in 2005. Joined Ben & Skin Show in 2008. Won Marconi in 2012.
1. How did you get into radio? Why radio? (And what brings you back to 105.3?)
I was a regular caller on an overnight talk show. One day, the hosts mentioned that they needed someone to answer phones during the ungodly hours of 2am-6am. I was working at a doctor's office full-time, bartending part-time, and going to school so I thought,"Why wouldn't I want to take on a fourth project?! I can live off of 2-hour naps between shifts..."The truth is, I have always wanted to be in the media--whether it was radio, tv, or journalism. (I still have tapes of myself from age 5 making up songs and rhymes into a Fisher-Price microphone.) I left the station in a full-time capacity for a part-time national gig back in 2007. While I was gone, I realized how much I missed the day-to-day lifestyle. Shortly after, I began begging for my old job back.
2. About what are you most passionate these days?
Husband, dogs, career and Family Guy.
3. As a producer of long-standing, what in your opinion makes a good producer? What qualities do you need to do the job right?
Organization is essential. Then persistence, patience, great networking skills and energy drinks.
4. You co-host a NASCAR show for Texas Motor Speedway - what got you into racing, and into sports?
TMS was looking for a female PA Announcer, and I had some smalltime experience as an "on-ice PA" for the Fort Worth Brahmas minor league hockey team. Wanting to gain more experience, I auditioned for the job and I've been with them for 11 races since!At the time, I had never watched a race and wouldn't know Tony Stewart if he was sitting next to me. I now co-host a weekly radio show alongside Brad Gillie (PRN Pit Reporter and TMS PA Announcer), and we're syndicated in 67 markets!
5. What radio shows -- other than Ben and Skin -- do you listen to?
It goes without saying, but everything on our station (Jagger, Kevin Scott & Greg Hill, Salisbury & Scruggs, and Pete & M-Rod). I also enjoy Kidd Kraddick in the Morning, Ernie & Jay, Midnight Trucking Radio. I even check out some of the direct competition (The Orphanage, The Musers).
6. You've started a new company -- what's it all about and why did you go into the business?
Funny you asked about this. I started a promotional modeling agency in 2006 called ROCK STAR PROMOTIONS. We provided pretty girls for companies at events where they were trying to promote their business. (Ex. Budweiser Girls at local bars & sporting events, Toyota Girls at car shows, Yellow Tail Wine Girls pouring free samples at the gourmet grocery stores, spokesmodels at trade shows, etc.) As of mid-March, I sold the company to a woman who had been in the industry for 15 years and was looking to expand.
7. Who are your mentors and inspirations in the business?
I've separated them into two categories because they are all inspirations, but I've had the pleasure of learning firsthand from the mentors.Mentors- Ben & Skin, Russ Martin, Brad Gillie, Gavin Spittle, Billy the Kidd, Mike Tierney
Inspirations- Howard Stern, Kidd Kraddick, Tom Joyner, Gordon Keith, Opie & Anthony, Jim Norton, Michael Savage, Covino & Rich
8. What do you do for fun?
Watch movies, go to the lake, host girls-only poker parties, drink wine, meow songs, travel, quote "Wedding Crashers", play with my dogs, grow beards, shop at garage sales, leave random messages on my friend's voicemails, host cookie-decorating parties, and I'm addicted to bad reality tv competition shows (America's Best Dance Crew, America's Next Top Model, Top Chef, Project Runway, Rock of Love, Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency and Real Housewives of Atlanta).
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ____________.
Ending my sentences in prepositions. It's a terrible habit.
10. What's the best advice you ever got? The worst?
Best- Don't burn bridges. In this industry, you run into the same folks again and again.Worst- It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
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