10 Questions with ... Rob Rush

1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?

I always loved music and growing up in the era of when grunge started exploding, everyone wanted to become a rock star. I could play, but I couldn't find the right people so I did the next best thing and figured out a way to get paid to play and talk about music for a living. If there was a defining moment, it came at an early age with my love of music.

2) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?

I always said that if you love what you are doing, then you never work a day in your life. I am truly blessed to have felt that way for over 20 years now. So I would definitely still do it, but hire an agent ;)

3) You spent some quality time at the legendary WLIR/Long Island. Care to share some of your best moments from that experience?

The funny thing is is that when I first got to WLIR, I had no idea about the heritage of the station. Before I discovered music on my own, I had listened to whatever my parents had on in the car, and that was stations like Z100 and WCBS-FM. I got into the hard rock/grunge scene on my own and didn't know anything about WLIR, but the station was like my radio high school. I learned a lot of what I use today from that place, thanks to amazing people like Gary Cee, Andre Ferro, Malibu Sue, and many others. Plus, working with all the WLIR legends such as Sue, Larry the Duck, Mighty Maxx and more was a bonus, as well as a great learning experience. I've made lifelong friends from that station that I still talk to today, and will for the rest of my life.

4) After you left WLIR, in late 2003 you started working for what is now The Shark's frequency at 94.3. What was the station then and what other incarnations have been on this frequency before The Shark took over?

I first got to the station with WLIR alums Jon Daniels (now PD of K98.3 WJKY) and Malibu Sue. The first incarnation was Island 94.3, which was an Adult Top 40 playing Matchbox 20, Lifehouse, and classic '80s Alternative gold. The station remained relatively the same, but was just rebranded to WMJC in 2005. WMJC remained until November 2010 when we flipped to 94X (WIGX). The station was billed as hit music for Generation X. I found it a bit strange, going from Nirvana into Tupac Shakur. I get what the station wanted to be, but I think it translated better on paper than in reality, hence why only less than two years later in September of 2012 we flipped to 94.3 The Shark, Everything That Rocks.

5) Congrats on your new programming post for WWSK (94.3The Shark). After working at this frequency so long, it must be gratifying to take over the PD position. How are things going so far?

It's going to be a learning process, that's for sure. I've been the MD and doing the music since August of 2017, so the day-to-day of programming I got, it's just going to be getting the hang of the business end of it, and day-to-day stuff. I did, and still do some production for the stations, so I've dealt with sales from a programming side of things already. I look forward to new endeavors, and my APD Brian Orlando has great insights and a strong promotional mind, so there's no doubt in my mind that the Shark brand will grow bigger and better from here on out.

6) Besides you in afternoons, who are the rest of The Shark on-air staff and who is rocking when?

APD Brian Orlando does mornings from 6-11am. We have an amazing midday host named Jamie, who is on M-F 11a-2p. I'm on from 2-7p and then we broadcast live from one of the most amazing music venues in the world, The Paramount in Huntington nights from 7-10p. We have a roving cast of characters live from the Paramount including Jerry Schaefer and John Lynch. Weekends are covered by Jerry and former WWE Diva Ashley Massaro.

7) Now let's talk about the music on The Shark. How much New Rock does the station play and how do you balance that with any Classic Rock you play?

94.3 The Shark is primarily a '90s/early-mid 2000s rock and hard rock station, sprinkling in rock and hard rock from the 2010s, and classic rock from the 1970s to the mid to late 1980s. We highlight new rock with our "Fresh Catch of the Day" feature that airs M-F in the 5p hour. I also host a two-hour new music show highlighting new active rock and some new alt tracks on Sunday nights at 7p called "Fresh Blood."

8) What's your take on current music and bands in the Rock format overall?

There are a lot of great up-and-coming bands that are out there like Badflower, Greta Van Fleet, the Struts and Ghost. I feel like GVF, the Struts and Ghost can help give a shot in the arm to the rock scene. They are all different and diverse in their own rights, but also possess a sound of familiarity that's not boring, if you know what I mean!

9) You have also served as one of Connoisseur Media's production directors since 2003. How important is the production and imaging on The Shark?

I feel that imaging is a big part of our station because it showcases the attitude and our position to all who listen to us. Whether a quick drop, or an over-the-top produced promo, imaging is part of the face and fabric of a radio station, just as much as the announcers and the music are. I love our drops that feature a popular movie clip, or especially the ones that feature our actual listeners praising their love for the station by screaming "The Shark Freaking Rocks!" That's great and it includes our listeners into our little group.

10) Finally, I understand you have been a backup announcer for the New York Mets, and you also do quite a bit of TV voiceover work as well. Care to expand on this?

Yes! I've been with the Mets as the backup announcer since 2004. I love it because I am a Mets fan and it is very challenging. You're not just announcing who is coming up to the plate, but you're also paying attention to who is on deck, are there any pitchers warming up in the bullpen and so many other little nuances throughout nine innings. As for the tv voiceover work, I learned early on in the business that you have to do something else besides just being a jock. I love production and love creating spots with my voice. You can escape in a way when you do voiceover work. It's almost like being an actor. I've been doing VO work for the Altice Networks News 12 stations for nine years now!