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10 Questions with ... Buckethead
November 17, 2009
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- WJRR (Real Rock 101one)/Orlando, 2000-06, afternoons
- WXTB (98 Rock)/Tampa mornings, 2006-08, continuing WJRR afternoons
- WTKS (Real Radio 104.1)/Orlando, 2008-present, evenings, then mornings
1. How did you get your start in radio?
Like many others, I started as an intern. Came in to do promotions and then a month later I found myself producing a morning show on the top 40 station. But I must give credit to Evander Holyfield. It was right after he won the title in the mid-nineties... I was able to track him down while he was at Disney and get him on the show. The GM heard this... was blown away... and told me to stick around because they were going to be hiring for a full time producer soon. Yeah... I got the job.
2. About what are you most passionate these days?
Entertaining others and the truth. I’m a big believer that at the end of the day people just want to be entertained. Doesn’t matter how you do it just do it. As for the truth... I love catching people in the lie... especially people of power. Now, my truth may differ, but at least people get a different perspective.
3. After doing music radio for all that time, you landed in talk radio at Real Radio 104.1 in 2008. What differences, other than lack of music, are you finding in working on a talk station (albeit a non-traditional one)? Are there differences in approach, show prep, topics? Or is it pretty much the same deal as doing your old morning show?
What’s funny is I find it easier to do this then the hybrid stuff I was doing before. I’ve got a great crew which makes it easy. The listeners, at least here at Real Radio, are like something I’ve never seen before. They are extremely passionate about the station and the talent. Also, they have this scary understanding of the business.
One big difference is that you have to come to work everyday. Can’t take any plays off or you’ll be crucified... or maybe that’s me over thinking things... don’t know. I’ve always been a show prep guy, which comes from my producer background. So, the only difference in show prepping for this show is I fine tune my content more for my audience and my team.
4. There aren't too many stations doing the kind of talk Real Radio does these days. What do you foresee for the format and the future of shows like The BS? Will this kind of talk return in more markets? If you were pitching this kind of talk to other stations, how would you describe it and why is it a viable concept? (And do you see yourself changing or evolving into a more traditional talk show host as time moves on, or do you see yourself doing the present show for a long time? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?) (I know, that's like a dozen questions)
Damn, just spit those questions out, my friend... take a breath.
I think shows like mine will actually be more sought after here in the near future. Why? We all know the boom of FM talk is coming and for the most part is here. A lot of these stations are putting on the "traditional" talk show, which for most part is political based. Not too many full talk shows out there that can cover everything from sports to lifestyle to politics. Don’t get me wrong... there are a lot of really good shows out there that do this. I just don’t think they’re getting their due yet... yet.
Yeah...I believe you'll start seeing this talk pop up more and more in different markets. How would I pitch this type of talk? Well, the phrase "hot talk," I think, is kind of played out, and like everything in this world, we evolve. Entertainment Talk? Stream of Consciousness? Your pick... Either way if I’m a programmer and thinking of adding a show like mine to their station I’d ask myself, "is there anyone in my market doing this?" Most likely, no. At least not someone that does it in the talk arena.
I hate saying that my show is "changing" so I use the word "tweaking." Yeah, of course, we’re always tweaking the show to better fit either the listener, the time, the vibe, etc. I think you have to and if you ignore what’s going on around you then you’re missing the boat and a lot of opportunities. You gotta know your surroundings and what’s happening.
As long as things go as well as they're going now, I definitely can see myself doing this show for a long time. I love the city, the people, my team, the station, the management... you name it, right now, life's real good. A really good positive vibe is floating around, and, damn it, I'm not letting go of it.
In 10 years, huh? I’d like to see longevity with this show at Real Radio and hopefully reach out to other markets. Other than being in the Orlando market for 14 years, I’ve been in different formats and different arenas, which isn't all bad, just lacks that longevity a show needs to really succeed. Look at some of the best in the business... they, for the most part, stay put. Keep the same show and same market. Check... lesson learned. But more importantly, I've learned that no dollar amount or market size compares to working in and at a place that makes you happy.
5. Who are your mentors, inspirations, and influences?
My mentors would be Doc and Johnny (formerly of XL 106.7 in Orlando). They groomed me, beat me, abused me, gave me a thick skin and sent me on my way with a good kick in the ass some years ago. That’s how it should be done. Too bad corporate radio made interns today a bunch of pansies.
These guys also inspired me. I knew from the first couple of years of radio that I wanted to do talk, so, of course, people like Stern made an influence. I would also say the talent on Real Radio that have been doing it for years made a huge impression on me. People like Jim Philips and The Monsters. Outside of them, I think Jim Rome is an amazing talent. His unique style sets him apart. Plus, I love his interview skills. BJ Shea in Seattle has taught me a great deal over the past couple of years. BJ's taught me that the person that talks the most trash at a poker table will lose the most money. Thanks for the car payment, buddy.
6. What would surprise people most about you?
Depends who the people are... To radio people, it won't come as a surprise but I'm a workaholic that hates talking outside of my 4 hours on the air. For the most part, I'm the same person on the air that I am off the air.
7. Of what are you most proud?
We saved a guy’s life when we started at Real Radio. Guy (Bill) wanted to take his own life and at the time we were doing nights so we were the only thing live on the air... thank God. Talked to the guy for about 45 minutes with the help from someone from the suicide prevention line and then went out with the help of the police to actually find him. Everything worked out.
We do a lot of charity stuff, which is always nice. This Holiday season we're, with the help of the city, decorating downtown Orlando. That's never been done before and since the economy is so bad and they can't pay staff, we’re doing the leg work.
8. What, and who, makes you laugh?
Dumb people that make stupid decisions. Who? I’ll keep those names close to me for now.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.
10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?
Best advice? Got lots of it, but the one thing that stands out right now came from my buddy BJ Shea in Seattle. We have the same agent and when I was making the move to Real Radio, our "gaygent" hooked us up. (That didn’t sound right.) BJ said to me, "Know the psychology of your listener." Great advice.
Worst advice? Gotten plenty of that. I remember after doing a show that really split the audience down the middle my PD pulled me into his office and said that I was too polarizing and need to be more middle of the road. Huh? What? How dare I get people thinking!!
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