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10 Questions with ... Mark "STEELE" Matthews
January 21, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
As a club DJ in Miami and Ft Lauderdale, I started my radio adventure in the early '90s on Top 40 WOVV West Palm Beach as a morning show producer for BC (Brian Christopher) and then MJ Kelli. After stints at WQBZ and WXRR in Georgia and Mississippi doing mornings, I landed my first PD gig with Cumulus as a Brand Manager for WSMS. Missing Florida, I took the APD gig at WRXK, where eventually I was offered the PD job, holding down 96 K- ROCK for over a dozen years.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
Prayer. I try to remember I'm where I am supposed to be right now. To keep current with the music I play with my Top 40 Internet radio station and run a mobile DJ business.
2) How are you occupying your time besides looking for a job?
I took a job in the medical field (I know, scary).
3) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.
The first year I actually rode my Harley everywhere and didn't listen to radio at all. The past few months I started pushing buttons around the dial and realized nothing has really changed in the past year ... just part-timers are now filling the holes where full-timers were. The surviving air talents haven't changed a thing about their shows either -- out of fear or laziness -- not keeping up with the times and trends. The radio stations in general continue to do the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.
4) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
This is it; the longest before was one week.
5) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
All Access (shameless plug) and networking with old co-workers and consultants.
6) Are you able to slow down and enjoy free time doing things with your family and friends that you probably did not have time to do while you were working?
Yes, I have, and I really needed, it too. My wife and I rode the Harley nearly 20k miles, including a trip to Atlanta.
7) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
Being tied with WYSP as the most intriguing radio station of the year (Edison Research). Also to be the last station Stern was on to change formats after he left.
8) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
I'm expendable.
9) Is there anything specific that you regret doing while you were still working?
Telling the president of the company that he didn't understand the NEW definition of Classic Rock. (Basically, he was too old for the demo ... a poor choice and apparently a touchy subject.)
10) If you were offered a similar position to what you were doing for considerably less money, would you seriously consider taking the job just to stay in the biz?
Totally. It is no longer about the money. It's quality not quantity. (I learned that the hard way.)
Bonus Questions
My favorite new diversion is ...
My wife.
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