10 Questions with ... Ashley Cavaliere

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started my career in radio 11 years ago right here at iHeartMedia in CT. Since day one I've been doing production and VO work. Currently I am on air mid days and production and imaging director. Outside of KC101, I am a national voice over for Total Traffic and Weather Network, Creative Services Group and am signed with Atlas Talent Agency and Benztown Branding as an imaging voice for various stations around the country. There's always something going on!

1) When did you first realize that you wanted to specialize in production?

When I was a part timer here at WKCI, I was always drawn to the production world. Our Production Director here at the time was Dollar Bill. He would always call me in to his studio to help voice something and I would sit there mesmerized as I watched him produce it into a promo. All of the different pieces (sound effects, music beds, voices) being brought together to create this awesome piece was really cool! (and still is!) I remember saying "wow - you do that so fast!", "How do you know where to put everything?!" I remember my first promo took me a long time to finish, but here I am now 11 years later with part timers saying the same thing to me. The best part is I STILL watch producers in awe! I went to visit a friend I've made through the industry, Forrest Martin. He works at Apple and watching him produce his imaging/production is on whole new level. You can always grow and get better at what you do every day.

2) Where is your work currently heard?

I produce imaging for WKCI-FM here in CT. When it comes to voicing and producing commercials, it is for our stations here in CT, as well as for Total Traffic and Weather Network and Creative Services Group - both of which are all throughout the country. When it comes to being an imaging voice over - that is all over the country as well.

3) What's the most unique project that you've been involved with?

I don't know if I would necessarily call it a 'project,' but the World Wide Radio Summit is coming up and I am beyond excited to not only be speaking on a panel, but to enjoy the summit to the fullest, meeting new people and learning tons of new things!

4) Tech Set-Up... what kind of mics/processing/software/plug-ins, etc. are you using?

For my iHeart office studio, I use a Shure SM7B mic and a huge Ramsa audio mixer that has a million buttons - about 5 of which I actually know how to use!!

When I'm using Adobe Audition, the two presets I use the most are graphic equalizer and dynamics processing. I also love the pink reverb effect!

At my home studio I use a Rode NT1 microphone, Scarlett 2i audio interface, and my MacBook Pro with Adobe Audition CC. I also use the Apogee USB mic for travel or voicing any time I am away from a studio.

5) Who are your mentors?

One day back in early 2013 I got a group email from Kelly Doherty to a bunch of women in iHeartMedia looking for new and upcoming female talent. First of all, I couldn't believe I got an email from her (even if it was mass sent) let alone a reply to my response! We created an awesome relationship with trips to LA for an imaging summit and the launch of her new project The Imaging House. Now, 6 years later, she asks me to be on her WWRS imaging panel! Kelly is also a voiceover coach, and I have learned so much from her :) I also have to mention Rachel McGrath. Rachel became our station (WKCI-FM) voice over back in 2015 and since I am the one who produces her audio, I get to hear her inflections and tone every time and learn from her work. She's awesome at what she does. There's also of course Chad Erickson, Jeff Berlin and so many more!

6) What is your favorite part of the job?

My favorite part of my job is to create. Whether it is a sweeper that will catch someone's attention and make them smile, the work parts I choose to use for a promo that will make someone feel a certain way, or even the way I speak a certain sentence -- the fact that what I create and put out there can spark emotion is really awesome! When it comes to being on air, I love the fact that I can spread awareness to a cause and really connect with people on a one-on-one level. Thank you social media.

7) What is the most challenging part of the job?

To me the most challenging part of the job is time. Of course everything always get produced on time and deadlines are met - but sometimes I just want to spend hours on a promo or sweeper just to see what else I can do with it and how it can sound - when in reality you just can't take that long! I also think this would be different if imaging was my one and only responsibility. In radio we wear many hats, so we have to balance time to meet expectations.

8) What stations, besides the ones that you work with, sound spectacular from an imaging standpoint?

KXXM San Antonio. I do their VO work, but that's not the part I'm complimenting. It's their creative copy that I get to read every week that will actually make me laugh out loud and smile. It's also the way that the creative copy is produced. Most of my demo is made up of pieces from them! They definitely know how to connect with their listener in an up-to-date / fun / creative way. I often ask myself, "What would the guys at KXXM do with this promo?" So, thanks guys!

9) Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?

I see myself continuing on in the world of production and voice over! I really love what I do and truly admire the community too - which is a huge part of what keeps me motivated every day! Sometimes on slow days, you can feel like you're stuck in your own little world of radio - and until you start networking, admiring, and reaching out to those who do amazing things in the industry around you; you get inspired all over again.

10) Is there a particular person who inspires you?

I haven't met him yet but I will in March because he is on the same panel as me at WWRS- Bryan Apple. I found out that he programmed the radio stations for Grand Theft Auto video games!! The fact that there is someone actually creating those had never even crossed my mind. So cool!

My point being is that there is so much to explore and learn about in our industry, that I can only see myself growing in the next 10+ years!

Also, a huge dream of mine is to become a cartoon character voice over. I definitely want to create a demo for voices and explore a lot more of that world.

Do you have a favorite hobby outside of voicework?

I do! I'm super involved in animal rescue. I am a foster mom for dogs and cats in Connecticut, and I am in the process of becoming a wildlife rehabilitator! Growing up on a farm really inspired my love for animals. Kind of an animal freak.