10 Questions with ... Tony Hayes

NAME:Tony Hayes LAST WITH:WLYT/Charlotte PHONE:(704) 454-5904 EMAIL:tmathes@ctc.net

Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...

10 years in mornings at WLYT. Before that, mornings at WPCH/Atlanta.

Also, Classic Rock in Boston at WZLX and PD for Classic Rock WZGC/Atlanta.

1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?

I've always tried to keep a positive attitude no matter what. My motivation is that I love the business and still miss the rush of being on the air every day.

2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

Working a garden with my wife and improving the golf game.

3) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?

One year.

4) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?

For my first job, I was asked to read news in a production room. I didn't know they only wanted me to read it once. I just kept going for about 20 minutes till they remembered that I was in there. I did get the job, though.

5) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?

No. I actually wanted to take the "beach time" to step back a little. But now, I'm listening to shows I never had the chance to listen to because I was up against them.

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. And that is the upside to being "on the beach."

7) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

The two that I'm most proud of is working with the kids at Carolina's Medical Center every year for our Radiothon. The other was when I was programming WZGC and we sent the morning show to Berlin as "The Wall" was coming down.

8) What do you miss most about music/radio?

I miss everything about the radio business. The daily interaction with the listeners is what I miss the most.

9) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?

It's so much harder now than when I first started out ... harder to get your foot in the door. All I can say is stay after it. Make it your full-time job finding that radio job.

10) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?

I'll be more thankful for what I've got.

What's your handicap now that you've had time to practice?

9.