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10 Questions with ... Chili Walker
October 29, 2019
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- 1993: WKDY/Utica/Rome, NY
- 1994: WKXP/Bloomsburg, PA
- 1995: WXXK /Clearmont, NH
- 1996: WCIZ/Watertown, NY
- 1997: WWBN/Flint, MI
- 2001: WWDX/Lansing, MI
- 2002: WQBK/Albany, NY
- 2006: WGLF/Tallahassee, FL
- 2006: WOTT/Watertown, NY
- 2007: WZOW/South Bend, IN
- 2010: WOLF/Syracuse, NY
- 2012: WKLC/Charleston, WV
- 2019: WYBB/Charleston, SC
1) What was your first job in radio and early influences?
I started at a little AM/FM combo WMBO, WPCX in Auburn, NY. Did a little of everything, from fill-in to babysitting the interstate trucker network on the overnight. Learned a lot form Jim "Catman" Prell, Uncle Rickey, Mike Dwello, and Mike Walsh....this crew showed me how insane this biz really is & I liked it!!!
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
Actually, yes there was, and it was in College. I was at the local community college (Cayuga Comm. College) went there for TV, thought I wanted to do the stuff like camera man or switcher, someone asked me if I wanted to be on the College radio station, I love music, so I thought why not. That very first shift, I knew I found my calling. That was over 25 years ago!!
3) How long did you rock WYBB/company counterpart WKLC (Rock 105) in Charleston, WV and how did the station do under your programming leadership?
I put in 7 years in West Virginia, working with Bill Jacobs of Jacobs Media, we developed a plan and a sound we wanted...and let me tell you...it worked! We took a station that was strong with men (but lacking with women) and turned it into a powerhouse! WKLC became one of the top two performing stations in the market - dominating with all Men, and consistently top two with Persons 25-54. Topped it off with being named The West Virginia Broadcasters Legendary Station of the Year in the Spring of 2019! I am still damn proud to have been part of that legendary station!!!
4) Now let's talk about WYBB. Congrats on rocking ANOTHER city named Charleston for LM Communications. You have Bubba the Love Sponge in Mornings for 98 Rock. How long has he been on the station and how is the show performing?
Bubba actually just celebrated his 9th year in Charleston. Like so many shows, there have been ups and downs, but he has a very passionate (if not rabid) fan base. Bubba is a fighter, a survivor, to go through all that he has & still keep plugging away...I believe that Bubba's best is yet to come...by that I mean, he has made adjustments/changes to the show, he is pumped and ready to show the haters what he can do. Recently adding a female co-host (Janessa Brazil) she has brought a whole new take on things. I'm looking forward to what we get out of Bubba and his Crew!!
5) You have the dual role as PD and afternoon host (as well as programming sister station Triple A WCOO)...how do you balance your time so both roles are effective?
That really is the question isn't it!! Long gone are the days where you only have one job to do...so like everyone, I try my best to balance things out. I have my routine, and try to give the proper attention to everything (try is the key word). Lucky for me, I like what I do, so most days it doesn't feel like work! (most days - lol)
6) Let's talk about the music on 98 Rock. How would you describe the mix between current and library Rock?
Since I took over, I've tweaked the station a bit, upping the library (gold, 80's & 90's) and becoming more selective with the new stuff. We still rock, just trying to broaden the audience a bit.... Higher percentage of gold & '90s than before (we play the hits!!)
7) Does programming your Triple A station WCOO affect any of your music decisions on 98 Rock?
Not really. They share some library, but as for currents, what few we share, each station has a different approach. So yes, The Black Keys moved up the Triple A list faster, but it didn't stop us from playing them on the Rock too.
8) What's your take on current Active Rock music and the Rock format overall?
I love the fact that straight ahead "dirty" rock is back!! Bands like Greta Van Fleet, Dirty Honey, Rival Sons and so on...I can't get enough of this style of Rock!!
9) Who are your three favorite artists or songs of this past year and why?
This is always the tuff part (part of it is because I'm getting old and forget things from a week or two ago).
- Halestorm - I love watching this band grow, not only are they some of the nicest people, they are road dogs & do this for the love of Rock! I can't wait to see what they give us next! (and Black Vultures is the best track off the last album!)
- Dirty Honey - here's a band from out of nowhere...First single has me hooked, looking forward to seeing what they can do live & what else they can give us!
- Volbeat - this band continues to impress me. They seem to understand, give radio some hits & your fan base will grow!!!
And just because I want to add one more....
- The Pretty Reckless....now they didn't give us anything new in 2019, but I'm that excited about their new album that I want to make note of it now!!!
10) Finally, you were born and raised in Upstate NY, and are a diehard Boston Red Sox/New England Patriots fan. Why no love for the NY teams?
Lucky for me, I was living in Massachusetts when I developed a love of baseball & football....I stayed loyal to my teams even when my family moved back to NY - you couldn't pay me to put on a Yankees cap - heck typing it makes me cringe - GO SOX!!!
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