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10 Questions with ... Scott Tyler
September 19, 2006
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NAME:Scott TylerLAST WITH:KDWB/MinneapolisPHONE:952-240-6006EMAIL:scottsolko@gmail.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
Night/Imaging-WZEE/Madison
Afternoons-KZHT/Salt Lake City
Afternoons-WKSC/Chicago
Evenings-KDWB/Minneapolis1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
Staying motivated about radio has never been a problem for me, since I love it so much... I'm trying to look at this as a much needed vacation. OH! And I have to tell you, voice-tracking mornings on iPartyRadio.com for free out of my bedroom is the most fun I've had on the radio in a long time! Thanks Will Calder!
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 seems like there are a lot of people that make HUGE mistakes that are never held accountable for their actions, while others seem to get fired because of bad luck. I think the "good 'ol boy" system of friends hiring friends in this industry needs to be re-evaluated so that the great talent is allowed to rise to the surface and realize their full potential, while the mediocre aren't unfairly rewarded.
3) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
Yes, I'm just looking for the right opportunity in the right place.
4) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
This is it! Three weeks and counting!
5) What is your best way to get your foot in the door?
Well, these days it's to do part-time/intern in a major market, then look for a full-time opening in a small market... completely the opposite of the way it was 10 years ago. Unfortunately, it can create some HUGE egos in the small markets!
6) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?
When I was in college I used to do part-time at Z104/Madison, WKTI/Milwaukee, WZOK/Rockford, and KDWB/Minneapolis all at the same time. So when nights opened up at Z104 in Madison and I was filling in for Zannie K on late nights on KDWB, I got off the air... took a nap... jumped in the car, drove 4 hours to then PD Rich Davis' office... and drove back to KDWB and got back on the air! I got the job!
7) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
I'm actually spending a lot MORE time listening... let's be honest, playing the same songs over and over every hour-and-a-half can make Coast-to-Coast AM a pretty attractive show to listen to... hell, the ONLY show to listen to.
8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
A toss-up between interviewing Rick Dees when I was doing afternoons on KISS/Chicago, or getting my demo critiqued by John Ivey last week. Yeah, I know, I'm a geek.
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?
If it was in a place I love, ABSOLUTELY!!!
10) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?
The best advice I've ever gotten came from my first program director at WOZZ/Appleton, WI, Andrew Ashwood when I was 16, and was restated to me by some of my idols like Steve Louizos (nights/WIXX, Green Bay, WI back in the 90s) ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN B... this industry, like any dealing with pop-culture tends to start to marginalize you once you turn 30 (which I'm not at yet, thank God! lol). Get a degree in something NON radio-related, and keep up with it in case you need to use it someday. For me, it's a degree in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin that I wasn't very excited about at the time, but that now I wouldn't trade for the world.
Bonus Questions
1) My favorite new diversion is ...
Watching "Entourage" and "Weeds." What great shows!!!
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