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10 Questions with ... Mad Max
October 31, 2006
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NAME:Mad MaxLAST WITH:WXQR/New Bern-Greenville-Jacksonville, NC; WSFM/Wilmington, NC; and WKZQ/Myrtle Beach, SC (syndicated)PHONE:(843) 424-9848
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
I have been doing morning radio all of my career, most recently syndicated on three Nextmedia Active Rock stations throughout North and South Carolina. I have done morning shows in Green Bay, WI; Cincinnati; Madison ,WI; and more spanning 20 years.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
The listeners are my motivator. The show is highly listener interactive, and you never know what's going to happen next when you put a listener on. I love doing morning radio, and challenging myself every day keeps me motivated.
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've actually felt a little of both. The most discouraging thing about being "on the beach" is that feeling of not being part of the radio brotherhood. You really feel helpless. The enlightening part of being unemployed is challenging myself outside the studio. That is why I have jumped back into stand-up comedy. You really get a different perspective from the stage.
3) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I'd actually like to land somewhere on a Talk station in a top 25 market where I can stay for the rest of my career.
4) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?
By being honest and being myself. I am passionate about personality radio, and I could never compromise myself.
5) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?
If I had sex with my partner. (Yes, she's was FEMALE.)
6) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
Again, by being honest. If you are true to yourself and believe in what you are saying, then you'll be different. I'm not a jock. I don't intro songs. I bring something different to my audience.
7) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
Having success on three stations at the same time. Achieving success on one station is difficult, much less three at the same time. That and making four of the top 10 pranks/stunts of the year from R&R back in 2004.
8) What do you miss most about radio? The least?
I miss the interaction with the listeners -- plus, speaking my mind about various political and social blunders. I mean, do you know how painful it was not to be doing morning radio when Mel Gibson made his remarks or when Paris Hilton got DUI'ed? Painful brother, painful.
I miss 4:30a the least.
9) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
That you have to stand up for what you think is right. Everybody keeps telling me radio is dead. I don't think so. Not if I have anything to say or do about it.
10) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?
I think it has made me more aware of how much I love doing this. Despite the gloom of radio's forecast, the FCC and corporate involvement, I believe in this business. I think as long as there are listeners out there who want no-bullshit radio, there will be a home for me.
Bonus Questions
1) Oprah or Dr. Phil?
Who cares. They both suck.
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