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10 Questions with ... Randall “Boner” Smith
June 21, 2022
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I wish I had a great story about that, but I honestly don’t. I get the occasional drunk girl asking, “why do they call you Boner”. Usually, I give some type of ridiculous response. But the truth is that I used to go by the name T-Bone but I really hated it. So, when I went back to WXTB in 1998, Boner was a name that was suggested. I think Brian Medlin came up with it. I thought it was kinda funny, so I went with it. Yet another in a long series of bad decisions!
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1. What made you decide you wanted a career in radio?
Well, that was the first in a long series of bad decisions.
2. What was your first job in radio and early mentors?
My first radio job was at WEZY in Lakeland, FL. Did that for a couple of years. At the same time, I did college radio at the University of South Florida. While there I met Charlie Logan (WYNF) and Greg Mull (WXTB). Both invited me to visit their stations. I ended up being hired at WXTB as a promotion’s assistant (one of about 10). That led to producing the morning show hosted by Seabass and a part-time on-air gig. I think I can say that Greg, Seabass and the entire staff at XTB were unwitting mentors. I learned so much about the industry, being on the air, creativity, and programming from those guys. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone there for their tutelage…whether they intended it or not. After that I went to WBAB (Long Island) and got to work with more great talent like Opie from the Opie and Anthony Show. Then to Peoria, Bloomington, IL, back to XTB, Knoxville and finally Chattanooga. Not all my experiences have been positive. But I think you can benefit just as much by learning how to do it wrong as you can from doing it right.
3. How long have you been at WRXR (Rock 105) and what makes this station so unique?
I was hired as PD/Afternoons at WRXR in 2001 when the station was two years old. Obviously, we have gone through a lot of changes over the years. But I have always strived to put on a product that is fun. Be it imaging, promos, contests, etc…it’s all content. And I want every listening experience to be as much fun as possible.
4. On your Afternoon Show, do you do any special music and content features?
I have a couple special features, but my favorite is our sports guy, Bitch Railey. He occasionally does the sports. But mostly talks about the ridiculous crap he and his friends are doing. It takes me a lot of time to write, record and produce. But not everybody cares about sports. So rather than make it an automatic tune-out for those who don’t, I created a bit that’s fun for everyone.
5. Let’s talk about the music on Rock 105. How much new Rock are you playing as opposed to library music and do you run any New Music features?
We don’t have any New Music features. We play enough new music without it. In fact, we play more new music than a lot of stations. CRG is roughly 20,10,70. The reason for the amount of new music has everything to do with market makeup. Our main competitor is a 100K Watt heritage classic rock station. With our 3K watts there is no chance we would be able to compete using a gold and classic-heavy playlist. I have adjusted the ratios over the years and will continue to do so. It’s important for stations to continually evolve and not just sit on its thumbs. Both for comfort and for the health of the brand.
6. Tell us about your weekly music meeting for Rock and what is most important to you when making decisions on new music?
For music decisions it’s a one-man show. I determine what is leaving the playlist then start listening to music to fill that void. I’ll look at charts, streams, and any other relevant info. Then, I make a decision. The most important thing to me is doing what I think is right for this station and this market.
7. What's your take on current Active Rock music and the Active Rock format as a whole?
There are those who see a grim future for the Active Rock format. Many stations cut back on new music. That can be detrimental depending on the market landscape. I see it as truly market dependent. But in this market new music is critical. And Active Rock is alive and well in Chattanooga.
8. Give me three of your favorite new Rock tracks or artists of 2022 and why? These artists are not necessarily new…
Jellyroll – Really dig the vibe and sounds killer on the air.
Falling in Reverse – All they’ve done lately is release hits
Riverbottom Nightmare Band - I think they’re poised for a big comeback.9. On a personal note, what do you like to do for fun when you’re not in radio “work” mode?
I love to watch my Tampa Bay Rays, Bucs and Lightning. I also like to play guitar, drums and hone my dry wit and sarcasm skills.
10. Finally, I’m sure you have a great story on where the name “Boner” comes from. Please share.
I wish I had a great story about that, but I honestly don’t. I get the occasional drunk girl asking, “why do they call you Boner”. Usually, I give some type of ridiculous response. But the truth is that I used to go by the name T-Bone but I really hated it. So, when I went back to WXTB in 1998, Boner was a name that was suggested. I think Brian Medlin came up with it. I thought it was kinda funny, so I went with it. Yet another in a long series of bad decisions
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