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10 Questions with ... Rexx Loper
May 15, 2007
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NAME:Jeremy "Rexx" LoperLAST WITH:WZBH/Ocean City, MD (Rexx and Smitty in the Morning)PHONE:(561) 319-5071EMAIL:rexxxloper@aol.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
I started out my career in 1993 at WBZT/West Palm Beach as the board op for the Dick Farrell show. In '95 I started doing promotions and interning for WPBZ/West Palm Beach. In late '96 I received my first parttime on-air gig doing weekend overnights. Before leaving PBZ in 2002 I did fulltime overnights, nights and afternoons, and I was Music Director. Then it was on to WZTA/Miami Beach doing some swing work. I stopped also at WAMX and WBKS/Huntington, WV before taking it out west to KHTB/Salt Lake City for a couple of years. Then I returned to the East Coast to WZBH/Ocean City, MD for morning drive.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
Hanging with the family is always good for motivation. I have my wife, Patti; my son, Jayden, who is 3 1/2; Kaylee, my daughter, who will be 2; and my Mom. Those are the people who love me most, so being with them is the best mental medicine in the world. I also keep up on all my regular show prep. I try to stay on top of things as if we are still doing the show every day.
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.
It's so easy to get discouraged, but you have to stay on top of your game. You never know when that phone will ring! All of my radio buds have stayed in close contact and throw a lead my way once in a while, so that's nice. The business is what it is ... you take the good with the bad. Mark Summers from Rock 105 in Jacksonville gave me some great advice: Do something every day you can be proud of. I do, and it seems to work.
3) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
Sending out an excellent presentation and getting across the fact that I am well-rounded in every aspect of radio. Being yourself helps too. I think that PDs, OMs and GMs can smell a fake. Staying true to yourself and your show is a huge factor.
4) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
Hell yeah! It's my lifeline. I have been doing this since I was 13. It's really all I know. Oh wait, don't tell Home Depot I said that ... I told them I am a pro forklift operator. This business is so beautiful in so many ways. The fact that we can communicate with people, change their lives and be a part of their everyday routine is something I would never give up!
5) What's the longest stretch you've ever had "on the beach"?
This is it! Two months and change. I hate the sand. LOL.
6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
Medium-market mornings. I am open to most any format. Right now I am obsessed with the Free-FM format. I would also love to work Alternative again ... WPBZ in West Palm was some of the best years of my life. Rock has always been a strong point for my partner Smitty and I, but I would also love to dive into the CHR world as well.
7) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
All Access, of course! We have a great agent as well, Norm Schrutt. He has just been amazing since we signed with him. Also, networking, networking, networking! It's the people who are in the stations who know what's up. Staying close to friends in every market you can has always worked for me.
8) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Call backs, emails, rejection letters, etc.)
For the most part, awesome! There will be the PD who will never write back or call, but there are a lot of people out there who will help. Kevin Callahan in Albany and Chris Williams in Atlanta are a couple of people who have been great!
9) What is the best way to get your foot in the door?
I would have to go back to networking. If you have been in the biz long enough, it's not hard to find someone who knows someone at the place you want to get into. Otherwise persistence ... without being annoying.
10) What has been your greatest career accomplishment?
I have two:
1) Smitty and I going # 1 in every key demo and #1 12+ in the market 6-10a in our first book at WZBH/Ocean City.
2) Getting the chance to learn from and work with John O'Connell at WPBZ/West Palm Beach from '95-'02.
Bonus Questions
BONUS QUESTION: Care to contribute to a low-cost recipe to our "On The Beach" cookbook?
The best ... Kentucky steak! Fried bologna and lots of miracle whip. NOT MAYO ... Miracle Whip! Damn, I'm going to grab one now!
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