10 Questions with ... Pamela Furr

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I was a DJ for years at various stations in NC & Nashville... my talk career started as a producer at WTN in Nashville as Steve Gill's producer. I moved over to WLAC to work with Phil Valentine (as his APD) for a brief time... went into TV News as an assignement editor at Channel 4 News in Nashville for two years. Then moved to Springfield, IL in 2004 to host my own daily talk show for WMAY. Moved to Huntsville, AL / WVNN hosting afternoons in 2008 and now I'm in Greensboro co-hosting & producer the MORNING RUSH on Rush Radio 94-5.

1. Since last we spoke, you've landed at the new Rush Radio in Greensboro. How did that come about, and what's it like for you in the Triad? What's your role on the show, and how is it going thus far back in your home state?

Well, I actually answered an ad in your All Access job postings for a co-host position in New Orleans, flew down there and auditioned. I didn't get the gig, but stayed in touch with Ken Charles, who interviewed me there. When I heard about the stations in Raleigh & Greensboro flipping to Rush Radio, I made contact with Ken again, drove up to Raleigh, interviewed, was hired for Greensboro, and here I am. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

So far, I am loving being back home in the Carolinas. I'm within a two hour driving distance from my family... just a little drive to the Mountains, and a short drive to the beach. What could be better? (Besides the Limbaugh kind of contract. LOL)

2. Speaking of changing places, your career has seen you producing in Nashville, hosting shows in Springfield, IL and Huntsville, and filling in in places like Charlotte before coming to Greensboro and Winston-Salem. What differences, if any, and similarities, if any, are you finding in the audiences from market to market? Are people pretty much the same everywhere you've gone, or are there real and significant differences?

I wouldn't say there are significant differences. People are people... people everywhere care about their families, their God, their country, and their wallets. Everything else is just gravy. I think the only thing that struck me are significantly different were people's faith. For instance, in the south... it's predominantly Southern Baptist. In Illinois, or at least the part of Illinois I happened to be located in, there were mostly Catholics. I learned that when I ordered beef one Friday, when I should have ordered fish. The owner of the restaurant came to my table just to ask me what part of the country I was from, because I was the ONLY ONE in that establishment who had ordered steak that day.

3. You're a conservative host, and you obviously have a lot to say about what's happening in politics at the moment. What's your best prognostication for the future of conservatism in America -- if you're putting money on it as of Spring 2010, will conservatives regain control of the Hill in 2010? White House in 2012? Are you optimistic?

I think the day Obama signed the new Health Care bill was the day he guaranteed conservatives will take back Congress this fall. Now, will it be enough to veto proof anything? I don't know. BUT I AM OPTIMISTIC!! We are not doomed.

4. What's your greatest regret? Your proudest moment?

My greatest regret? I have to be honest. I don't have many regrets. I believe we're the sum of our successes and mistakes. If I regret those mistakes, I would be questioning who I am right now, and I kinda like who I am.

Proudest moment? So far, my proudest moment was being involved in the GREAT TAX REVOLT in Nashville, TN a few years ago. Talk radio directly played a part in keeping a state income tax from being passed in that state, and I was behind the scenes as a producer in that process. We mobilized the citizens of Nashville and the surrounding areas, we showed up by the thousands, made local & national news that night, and fought off the tax loving state legislators who wanted to invoke that state income tax. It was a most spectacular day... one that I will never forget.

5. As a producer as well as a talent, what, in your opinion, makes a great radio show? What do you look for? When do you finish a show and think, yeah, that was a great one?

There are so many elements that make a great radio show..sometimes it's hard to pinpoint just a few things. I always ask questions when deciding what to talk about as if I'm walking in the shoes of the person listening. "How does this effect me?" "Will this change my life?" "Will this make me mad?" "Will this make me laugh?" "Will this make me think?" "And will I walk away informed and entertained?" When I finish a show, I know it's a great one if I can answer "yes" to that last question. I also know it's a great show when three hours fly by, and I don't want to stop. You know?

6. Who has been your favorite interview subject? How about the worst?

Well, I have this thing for soldiers & the military. I love hearing their stories... stories of Iraq, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world. I love hearing about other countries, the way they live, and how they're fighting for freedom. Any time I can talk to someone in the military, I take that opportunity as a producer and as a host.

The worst? I recently had an experience with the worst. He is a local politician. Let's just say he came on board with an agenda of being difficult, and it was difficult to listen to. I'll just leave it at that. :)

7. Let's throw in a music question here: As a songwriter yourself, which artists are you enjoying most these days, whether in the Southern Gospel format or otherwise? What's on your iPod right now?

Well, I haven't listened to Southern Gospel in a while... kind of out-of-the loop. I do listen to Rascal Flatts a lot (don't hate me) But I'm more of a"song" lover, than an "artist" lover. I'm listening to things like "Evacuate the Dance Floor" by Cascada. "American Honey" by Lady A. "Imma Be" by Black Eyed Peas. Although, you put anything on the iPod or on the radio by Reggie Hamm (He wrote David Cook's "Time of my Life"), then I'm hooked. He's by far my favorite writer, artist, and one of my favorite friends.

8. Other than your own show, do you get to listen to other talk hosts these days? Which are your favorites and why?

I don't get to listen to a lot, but I do love Glenn Beck. I have loved him since his first day in syndication. Why? He is the most entertaining and informative person I've ever heard. I laugh & cry sometimes listening to him. I've started listening to Roe Conn again recently (used to listen to him some when I lived in Illinois)... He's just funny.

9. Who are your heroes, whether in radio/career-oriented or in "real" life?

Here's the deal. For years I didn't get along with my father. I'm not sure why. I was young and stubborn, and he was just as stubborn. He and I are exactly alike, so I'm sure that played a huge role in our difficulty in getting along. When I was laid off from my gig in Huntsville, I decided to move back to NC to be near my folks who are older. I mean, I don't have much time left with them... and there's nothing like unemployment to give you loads of time. So I moved right back into my parents house. To my surprise, my father and I got along so well. We talked for hours, played golf together, cooked on the grill... I can honestly say my dad became my friend. I had that relationship that I saw other daughters had with their dads. And I discovered what a good, good man he is. One with integrity, one with a giving heart, one who's not afraid of anything... He's my hero. My dad.

10. What would surprise people most about you?

That's a good question. I'm pretty transparent. Maybe that I'm a natural red-head? Women don't seem to have much "natural" anything these days.