10 Questions with ... Steve Huber

1) What was your first job in radio and early mentors?

I got into radio because I wanted to be on WHFS. I loved the music and the style of the jocks. Once I got in the door at WIYY it was Rick Strauss, Rob Heckman and Dave Hill that really taught me everything I know about programming in my early career. I worked directly with Cary Pahigian in between PDs at 98 Rock and I really learned a lot about the managerial side of the business. Collaborating with Jefferson Ward in all things programming and beyond at WZBA was awesome and I’m learning a lot currently from new GM Steve Borneman.

2. What led you to a career in radio?

I wanted to be in radio even back to high school. My uncle John went to BIM (Broadcasting Institute of Maryland) and exposed me to the potential that I could possibly do what all the people I loved listening to on the radio were doing. I already loved music. I was always the guy who made countless mix tapes and tried to turn friends on to new music. “I just have to play you just this one more song.” The thought of being able to do that on such a grand scale always amazed me. I love that I get to be people’s road trip, outdoor bar-b-que, break up, make up or make out, soundtrack.

3. You rocked for WIYY (98 Rock) for many years before you came to WZBA. What are some of your best highlights and memories working at 98 Rock?

I started my radio career at 98 Rock and did 18 years there before coming to The Bay. I started in 1998 as an intern and ended in 2017 as APD/MD. It was quite a ride up the ranks! I got to be a part of so many great events, shows, stunts, meet and greets and station innovations. While I was at WIYY we were one of the first stations to really use video as a tool and embraced all things social/digital early on. The highlight reel is long and plays more like “The Last Dance” (though I’m no Jordan it was just a lot of hard work and a great team) than “Animal House” but there was a TON of fun. The people I met there, and made lifelong friendships with, are the best part. I still see a lot of my old colleagues on a social basis, and they are still some of my best friends, I still talk to many of my record industry friends even though I can’t play their tunes and hell, I even met my wife through being Music Director at 98 Rock! The people make any situation better and through 98 Rock I met some of the greatest people ever.

4. You’ve been the PD at WZBA since October 2017. How has the station developed since then and how is it doing today?

The station has changed a LOT since 2017. I grew up in Baltimore and remember WQSR being “Good Time Oldies”. Steve Rouse ruled the mornings, and the station was a monster, BUT… they grew old with their listeners and eventually went away. We are working hard to cycle in new listeners. Playing the 90’s songs that sonically fit the Classic Rock format. Having lived my whole life here in Baltimore and spending 20+ years in rock radio here I hope we have picked the right songs that people who (like me) were in high school and college in the 90’s love and blend them in with the more traditional classic rock songs that my generation loves. We also are trying to keep up with all the digital outlets we can be a part of too like an up-to-date web site, app, stream, social pages etc.

5. What has been a more valuable perspective in helping you program ZBA….being born and raised in Baltimore or having worked at 98 Rock for so many years…or both?

Baltimore is a unique town. Baltimoreans are proud of the town, the blue-collar roots, crabs, old bay and (even if they don’t win) the O’s. Being from here is a great advantage in programming. There has always been WIYY with its imprint on Baltimore but there was also the great WHFS back in the day. Living through the influence of both of those stations really helps me program today. Bands like The Clash, The Ramones and REM have a home on WZBA because of the influence of WHFS in the market the same way bands like Whitesnake, Def Leppard and Bon Jovi do because of WIYYs great heritage. Working at 98 Rock for so many years tied me to so many great people in this town and those relationships have been great for me no matter what station I have been at. If you do radio in a market its great to know the people who make the city hum.

6. You recently moved from afternoons to Mornings as Huber In The Morning. Who else is on with you and do you do any special features in the morning?

I took “Producer Matt” Weitzel with me to mornings. I’m still getting used to waking up early but so far, I LOVE mornings. Being a part of people’s morning routine feels so great. We don’t do any features, at least not yet, hoping some things grow organically. My style is a bit “Seinfeld” like. So far, we have done whole shows on “Speed Bumps”, “Peeps”, the lyrics to “Once Bitten Twice Shy”, “Does something out of place in your morning routine ruin your day” and other pressing issues like those. As much as I love radio and all the jocks who do it so tight and well, I run a little loose.

7. Can you give us the rundown of the rest of your on-air staff from mornings to evenings?

Somehow, I am doing morning drive as “Huber In The Morning” from 6-10. Colleen Carew, who is so amazing at what she does, is doing 10-3. She has been at The Bay for 16 years and even worked with me some at 98 Rock way back when during her 14 years there. Mr. Matt Davis is now doing PM Drive 3-7. Baltimore radio veteran and we are pretty sure, part time secret agent. Matt is the best. So cool, fun and friendly. He was at WIYY as the all-time part timer for years after stints in Philly and at XM. “The Mayor of Dundalk” Mr. Mike Brilhart holds down 7-Midnight and is unbelievable. Not only one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet but so full of Baltimore rock and roll knowledge. It oozes out of him every night. I have the BEST staff. I am BY FAR the weakest link.

8. Now let’s switch gears to the format overall. You did Active Rock at WIYY for years and now you’re doing Classic Rock. What's your take on the Classic Rock format in 2022?

The Classic Rock format HAS to evolve. What a lot of people consider classic rock is now “Oldies” but people are holding on to it. There are a lot of reasons why. If you are part of a cluster and flank and active rocker, I get it. But, if you are a one-horse shop like us, then you HAVE to evolve. Find the 90’s and beyond songs that fit the sonic landscape of the “Classic Rock” sound and push forward. The scary part is the lack of rock library post 90’s. I wonder when if the rock that most active stations have abandoned like Creed, Nickelback etc will ever work its way into classic rock or if there will be a hard stop at some point? I wonder if there re enough “Rock” hits to keep Classic Rock relevant after the next decade or so. Will Five Finger Death Punch and Volbeat be Classic Rock? Will 21 Pilots and Muse be Classic Rock? Hard to say. I’ll be drinking soup through a straw by then and someone younger and smarter than me will have to figure that out.

9. Some of Classic Rock’s biggest bands are back on tour in 2022 with Def Leppard, Motley Crue, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers touring this summer to name just a few. How does 100.7 The Bay promote big Classic Rock concerts when they come to town?

We are SO lucky to have these amazing bands still out and doing it! We try to employ as many PPM tips and tricks as we can with ticket give aways but as far as promoting them, I think it is SO important. We try to make these shows seem bigger than life. Our whole goal in radio is to be in tune with the lifestyles of the listeners in our market and it doesn’t get any better for that than a concert from a big artist in the format. We know that even if our listener can’t go, they are still interested in hearing about the show, and it being covered by their hometown station. We often adjust our programming to reflect our excitement about a show. The last time the Stones were in town we were practically Stones radio the week before the show.

10. Finally, what do you like to do for fun and any hobbies when you’re not in radio “work” mode?

Of course, I love spending time with the family and watching my two boys grow up way too fast. I love live music, got to go to SXSW again finally post COVID and had the BEST time! I love seeing young bands on their way up so much more than old rich people who have been through therapy. I love collecting vinyl and CDs and making a playlist for every occasion. Outside of that, my favorite non-work-related thing to do is FOOD! I love everything from gardening and canning/freezing what I grow, to technical cooking and plating to low and slow smoking a brisket for 15 hrs. I love reading about food, seeing it on Instagram, talking about it and of course eating it! I love hosting dinner parties. Come on over!