10 Questions with ... Sean Phills

NAME:Sean Phills LAST WITH:CBS Radio Phoenix/101.5 FREE FM EMAIL:seanphills@yahoo.com WEB:www.myspace.com/seanphills

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

While in basic training to become a reservist at Ft. Jackson, SC, I decided when I got home and was attending Arizona State University that I was going to apply at a radio station. I figured I should get paid to do what I do best -- talking s**t. I landed an internship with (then frequency) 100.3/106.3 The Edge in 1999. I worked as the assistant to the Events Director (Nancy Stevens) and then moved to producer/sidekick on afternoon drive to Steve Tingle (currently on The Morning Fix/Q101) doing creative things like phony phone calls, fake commercials and song parodies -- a few of which were played on the Howard Stern show.

Steve and I left to do mornings on KKFR/Power 92.3 with Davey D and the Wake-Up Show in 2000. I left radio for a while, then got roped back in at KJAM/Mega 104.3 by promotions guru Monchai Pungeow, as on-air/Promotions Coordinator. I then went back to Power 92.3 and worked as Creative Producer/on-air with MG's Morning Madhouse. While at Power, I got the opportunity to do on-air character work for Power 106's Big Boy's Neighborhood. I even did a live show in L.A. in character.

Next, I got the nod to host mornings at Emmis/101X in Austin, and continued character work for Big Boy's show. After a year, I headed back home to Phoenix to 101.5 The Zone, and when it flipped to FREE-FM, I became Assistant Production/Imaging Director, and I also did on-air work. I created and implemented the daily, market original "Free Time With Phills" station calendar. I hosted both of Tom Leykis' live broadcasts and the majority of station's remote appearances.

Due to "budget cuts" I was let go on January 12, 2007. I'm currently doing podcasts on hoodride.com, voiceover/commercial work and running my own coffee catering business.

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

Control the things that you can and let the other chips fall where they may. An intense love for old VWs keeps me busy, and I run my own coffee catering business (www.theflyingbarista.com). Being a business owner, you don't have time to get depressed.

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

Running my coffee catering business fulltime (www.theflyingbarista.com), doing voiceover work with the great Rob Trygg and Creative Voice Productions (www.creativevoiceproductions.com) and cleaning my house.

3) Do you plan on sticking with the radio industry?

I will stay only if the right opportunity appears. The radio business needs a serious facelift. It seems as though people running radio don't know what people listening to radio really want. Of course, there are exceptions, but most decisions seem to be knee-jerk reactions and nobody really seems to be proactive anymore. Radio needs to be turned upside down and shaken till the bullshit falls out. I've been in the business for some time now and have pushed a lot of things to the side to make it happen. My "needs" have surpassed my "wants." I'm not going to convince anyone what I bring to the table. I am a 100% team player, but if my experience, creativity and passion don't prove what an asset I am to the company, you don't get what I do anyway.

4) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?

Through other people in the business. Many "friends" will know when someone's about to be let go before the person being let go knows. Make ONE person at the station in a management position think you are the best thing ever. Politic over power lunches at strip clubs (kiss ass), and play the game. Or, take a promotions internship and work your ass off. Choose your path, and don't let the petty drama slow you down. Talk with Dave Pratt on this one.

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

Basic training.

6) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?

My creativity and passion for entertaining people. I have only met very few people in this industry like me. Steve Tingle and Rob Trygg come to mind. We are like brothers because we know that it's rare when someone else actually get us!

7) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Being able to let "regular" people (like listeners, my friends and family) go behind the curtain to hang with celebs, getting VIP treatment and hanging in the studio. Having a parody played on Stern wasn't bad either.

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

The "soldiers" (a.k.a. friends) who were in the trenches with me and the opportunity to create and entertain so many people on a daily basis. I DO NOT miss the "rats."

9) Is there anything specific that you regret doing while you were still working?

Not networking more. I relied on too many others (PDs and whatnot) to do it for me. Being naive sucks.

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

Know what you want to do, stick to that course, and stay away from the bullshit drama. Bend over backwards for people and companies that will do the same for you. Realize that one day you could be a radio star and the next you could be calling people you don't like but need a gig. Listen to the people that have made it, and take notes. Talk with people like Dave Pratt, Marv Nyren, Tom Leykis, Jimmy Steal, Rob Trygg, etc. They WILL guide you in the right direction.

1) My favorite new diversion is ...

My coffee business, my 1969 factory automatic VW Notchback and my '59 Single Cab.

2) Care to contribute a low-cost recipe to our "ON THE BEACH" cookbook?

Taco Bell value menu -- you really can't go wrong.