10 Questions with ... Erica Kay

NAME:Erica Kay LAST WITH:WZNS/Fort Walton Beach, FL, Morning Show Co-host PHONE:(617) 895-6274 EMAIL:EKay_ontheair@yahoo.com WEB:www.IShouldGetMyButtInGearAndGetOne.com

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

At age 10 I began calling into WBZ Boston, listening to Larry Glick. It was then that I knew I someday wanted to have my voice on the radio. In my teens, I was fortunate enough to get to know TJ Napp, former night jock at WPRO-FM in Providence. He allowed me to do "Beverly Hills 90210" updates (yes, I know, but it WAS a good show). TJ was a great influence and at that point I definitely decided I wanted to be in radio. Now he is the great Radio Headhunter Tony Banks. During college, I did my internship at WMAS/ Springfield, MA under the supervision of Paul "Boom Boom" Cannon. Other stations include WBET/WCAV in Brockton, MA, WORC in Worcester, MA and I dedicated a lot of time to learning about voiceovers. I took a VO class in 2000 at C.P. Casting in Boston,, where I almost fell out of my chair, doomed, after hearing the pipes of Boston's J.J. Wright in the chair next to me -- followed by voiceover training with WBZ's Jordin Rich at Chart Productions in Boston, MA. I spent several years at Citadel working at Mix 102/Q105 in New London, CT and Fun 107 in New Bedford, MA.

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

Even though there is no "show" to prep right now, it's still a part of my daily routine. Sifting thru Joel Denver Republican e-mails ;), watching prime-time shows, web surfing all the news sites, learning about or watching things I may not be well versed in, such as politics. Being from Massachusetts, I can honestly say Ted Kennedy is still in office because we never know the guy who runs up against him.

2) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?

Absolutely! I have been in jobs before that I was very proficient in, however, found myself hitting snooze more than three times. When I wake up for a shift, there is no snooze button when you look forward to going to the station ... because it's not work.

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

Networking is key. I started at an early age and I am fortunate enough to have those people to bounce ideas off of, and have them critique my work. Now ... the other part: KEEPING your foot in the door. Even if it's a weekend shift or fill-in during holidays, persistence pays off.

4) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?

Looking at the Doppler radar, a job where the jetstream takes me. I moved from the Boston area over a thousand miles by myself to Florida to try something new and gain experience to get into a larger market. Mornings were new for me and quite an adjustment during the year. My ideal job would be co-hosting a morning show at a Rock station, or a solo shift on a Top 40/Urban station, but I wouldn't rule out other formats. All of my friends who have turned "Country" are loving it, so why the heck not?

5) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?

Most of my work in radio was part-time throughout my life. I had a supervisory, full-time job in an entirely different field and did radio shifts weekends, driving to and from Connecticut and Boston for two years. So I took a drastic cut working in higher education for broadcasting. I wasn't shocked at the salary I was offered, but look forward to a major-market salary!

6) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?

What is one mistake you've made that you DON'T regret?

7) What do you miss most about radio?

Phoners. Especially with VoxPro. Every day I think about how much I miss working at Fun 107 back up in Massachusetts. There's something about the listener interaction in that market. The least? I don't miss the few people who wasted time, just hanging out in the smoking area, griping about how much they hated the company they worked for. Get some work done!

8) 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?

Yes, but hopefully their medical package would be off the hook! I'd probably have to ditch my online dating subscription, go back to Ramen Noodles and steal wireless Internet from my neighbors.

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

I graduated from college with an entire group of other communications students and I can't name more than three who actually work in the field. If their concern is not making enough in radio, I encourage them to still try and work in the communications field, but in a different capacity. Whether it's in voiceovers, public relations, etc. I worked for Interep one summer back in the day and even though it wasn't radio, it was still a great feeling to be part of radio, and learn parts you would never have learned just being in the studio.

10) Where do you see yourself in five years ... 10 years?

In either Boston, New York or California, on-air and Music Director stripes. Ten years? Syndicated morning show or teamed up with someone doing a show at WBZ-A 1030 in Boston.

My favorite new diversion is ...

Working out. I did endorsements for Gold's Gym and was fortunate enough to have a personal trainer. Now it is part of my weekly routine, at least five or six times. Physical strength and great supplements can give you an overall positive attitude on life.