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10 Questions with ... Tony Mann
April 24, 2007
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NAME:Tony MannLAST WITH:WAPE/Jacksonville. I was APD/MD/middaysPHONE:(904) 993-9501EMAIL:middaymann2001@yahoo.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
I was at WAPE for the last 15 years, from August 1991 to July 2006. I've been in Jax since 1977, and I don't plan on going anywhere else. Been on air from 1981-2006, and now have a new full time business venture.
1) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I bought a company in town called Reunion Classics, www.reunionclassics.com. I have DJ'd for the company the last 15 years, and I became the owner in Sept 2005. We plan high school reunions from top to bottom, from 10-year to 55-year reunions! It's the best business decision that I've ever made -- a lot of fun, and I'm the boss!
2) 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.
I gotta be honest, I miss being at the bar gigs and being on-air. I'd be lying if I said otherwise. I don't miss all of the other stuff, like the office work. I did music scheduling on Selector for almost 17 years. It was time for something else.
3) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
Music is in me like my blood is. I'll never not want to be around it, and doing the reunion company and my mobile DJ work keeps me there. If a fun radio job in town opens up again, I'd consider an airshift again, but nothing's getting me excited right now. I thought the Movin' format in town would be it, but they say I don't fit the sound of it. I can't figure that one out after doing CHR at the Big Ape the last 15 years!
4) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
I love the weather and this town, but if I'm at the beach, I'm doing a gig or eating at a decent restaurant! Never on the sand -- that's my wife's thing!
5) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?
Seems like the salaries are about the same if not lower, and the perks have definitely been diminished.
6) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
I'm a Nano or an XM guy. My local stations don't get punched much.
7) 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?
Without a doubt, which is another reason I got out of the biz. My parents live down the street from me, and now I can actually spend a good chunk of time with them by MY schedule! That's really cool.
8) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
That life is way too short, and now I can breathe much easier and everything is at my pace, not someone else's. It's quite rewarding and refreshing.
9) 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?
It's not about the money with me. I truly realize that now because I'm out and doing my own thing. I wanna have fun and not worry about punching a clock every day. If you don't love what you do, then why do it?
10) Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
Hopefully franchising the company and retiring when I want to.
Bonus Questions
BONUS QUESTION: My favorite new diversion is ...
HDTV! Damn, it's amazing. Doesn't matter the show, either.
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