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10 Questions with ... Ty Bailey
October 15, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- WZNE/Rochester, NY - Intern, Part-time, then middays/mornings 2000 - 2005
- WKRL/WKLL - Mornings, middays, PD 2005 - 2008
- WCHH/Baltimore - Afternoons APD/MD 2008 - 2009
- WWDC/Washington DC - Middays 2009 - 2012
- WXTB/Tampa FL - Mornings APD ... PD 2012 - present
1)What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
Technically, WVIC at Ithaca College. My first show was a Friday afternoon when some kid didn't show up for his shift. I don't remember it at all. I DO remember hosting a terrible punk show called the Pez Parade (terrible name to go with it). I shortly thereafter began working at WICB, consistently one of the best college radio stations in the country.
As far as an early influence, I sort of remember when I was about three going to a radio station in Buffalo, NY. They were doing a promotion where kids could get batteries for their Christmas toys. We went in and I got batteries for my new Fisher Price AM/FM Radio with Sing Along Microphone that I had just received from Santa. They put me on the radio and were very nice to me ... I think. I know you can get that Fisher Price radio on eBay for about $30. I brought that thing EVERYWHERE so if you have kids, get one.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
I went to Ithaca College to be a sports broadcaster. When I got to my first Sports Information class, I learned that I was going to have to memorize a lot of stats before games. I don't love numbers, and I didn't want sports to become something I hated so I dropped my minor but stayed in Broadcasting. Turns out, I wasn't terrible at it and I knew a ton about music. Without realizing it, I started skipping classes to hang at the station. At that point, I really hoped that I could make it into a career. That and I can wear jeans and T-shirts to work, which is clearly how I wanted to live my life.
3) How long have you been at WXTB (98 Rock) and what makes this station so unique?
I've been at WXTB just over a year. The station is considered Active Rock but we can get away with a wide variety of music and we've been around for a long time. We also have amazing talent on-air to go with our great music. It's one of the last great Rock stations in this country.
4) You have the dual role as PD and morning show host ... how do you balance your time so both roles are effective?
Naps. Lots of naps. And coffee. Seriously though, I love my job and I love being on-air, so neither feel like work. And when you're surrounded by equally passionate people, we have enough fun to break up the day.
5) Before you came to 98 Rock, you did middays at DC 101. How do you like doing the morning show and besides getting up early, what are the biggest challenges for you doing this primetime shift?
I have done mornings a few times, and really prefer, on a personal level, to get up and get my work done. The biggest challenge is the audience. In middays, you're a work companion. In the morning, you have to figure out a way to get people up and moving PLUS get them to participate and have fun ... all while they are brushing their teeth and sending kids off to school.
6) Okay ... put on your music hat now. What's your take on current Active Rock music? Is it as good as six months or a year ago, better, or about the same?
About the same. It's great to see bands like Five Finger Death Punch, Volbeat and Avenged Sevenfold really step up to the plate and become core artists for the format. On top of that, we usually have some great songs from newer artists.
7) I've always appreciated your candid take on today's Rock music and artists. Name three "new" Rock bands you think will become breakout bands at the format in the next year ?
I love Lorde, Bastille and We As Human. I'm really excited to see what Tool might bring to the table, and I'm always on board for new Foo Fighters.
8) How much does 98 Rock use social media (Facebook/Twitter) and its website to interact with its listeners?
Constantly. It's all an extension of what we do on-air. Everyone is online, why wouldn't you go where the people are to tell them about your station?
9) Give us a cool radio promotion the station has done in the last year that really worked.
We did an Easter Keg Hunt to win your way into 98ROCKFEST. We painted 98 mini-kegs like Easter Eggs and hid them all over the Tampa Bay area. When listeners found them, they automatically got tickets to our 98ROCKFEST. If they found a golden keg, they won meet and greets with the artists as well. It was so much fun on-air and online, and hiding them makes you feel like a criminal.
10) You're originally from the great state of New York and have done most of your previous radio gigs in NY and the Baltimore/DC area. What's cool about living in Florida for you, and particularly the Tampa area?
I have flip-flops in every color. I wish I was kidding. All my clothes are summer clothes and I only have to visit family once a year. The weather is so much better here all year. The only exception is that I need to get home late summer and early fall. I need my changing leaves, and Wegman's cider and donut holes.
Bonus Questions
When you're not in "radio" mode, what do you like to do for fun and relaxation?
Cook. It's the most relaxing thing ever to chop and stir, and then you're rewarded with delicious items. I also love interior decorating. I recently purchased a bike that I have named "Hoss," and he and I like to ride around before the sun really starts to beat down.
You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have 5 CDs with you. What are they?
What year is this?! CDs ... Clearly I'd bring my iPod and a charging pad that uses solar power. But in an effort to answer your question as is...The Format - Interventions And Lullabies; Barenaked Ladies - Rock Spectacle; Jimmy Eat World - Clarity; Tool - Aenima; Rise Against - The Sufferer & The Witness
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