10 Questions with ... Johnny Maze

NAME:Johnny Maze TITLE:PD/MD/Afternoons STATION:WXZZ MARKET:Lexington, KY COMPANY:Cumulus Broadcasting BORN:New Jersey RAISED:Houston, TX

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

95-97: KXCS/Bryan/College Station, TX - APD/MD,

1) What makes your station unique?

Well, for one, we are LIVE and LOCAL. Our morning show, Twitch and MJ, are involved in a bunch of different charity work and we constantly are helping the community. We do a lot of on-air contesting or have on-air features to get the listeners involved as much as possible.

2) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?

I think there will always be terrestrial radio. I truly believe localism will win out in the long run. In five years, I hope to continue to be programming a station, if not more than one. I will always enjoy the Active Rock format, but who knows? In the future, maybe to explore the Top 40, Classic Hits, or the Alternative gold formats.

3) How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?

I think the relationships are good. This is my first time in a new region in a long time, so I am not as close to many of my locals as much as I would like to be. Luckily, I still communicate with the nationals as much as possible. I think the record reps are getting stretched in that their territories are much bigger than they used to be, and with them covering multiple formats, its harder for them to be more efficient with each station.

4) What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?

Being from Houston and working for the station at one time, KTBZ will always be a favorite. Also, visiting the East Coast all the time throughout my life, K-ROCK New York is and will always be a favorite. The resurrection of the station was great news to hear, and I actually listened to the stream of the launch.

5) What's your take on current music? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same?

I think the Active Rock format is about the same. We have some new releases coming out from core artists and certainly just getting on the 2nd or 3rd tracks of some that came out in 2007.

6) If you could add any one full-time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?

Webmaster...with the Internet as booming as it is, our websites need to be a brand of their own, and to be able to update it several times a day and make it more interactive that they are would be great. I am doing as much as I can and still trying to find ways to make it better, but someone to sit on the computer all day and constantly changing it would be great.

7) What is the most rewarding promotion or activity your station has ever been involved with to benefit the community or a charity?

WXZZ is awesome in that our morning host Twitch is great at getting involved in our community. The third annual "Homeless for the Holidays" was held in November. We help out 3 charities for this -- The Fraternal Order of Firefighters collects toys, so we help with that. We also collect food for God's Pantry, the local food bank, and we collect clothes for the Salvation Army. It's a week-long event with Twitch and MJ broadcasting live from 6a Monday morning until Friday at 10p. Lexington is a very giving market, and we get a lot of support from the city, the local police and fire departments, and TV coverage. It's at a great location with a lot of traffic -- and it also happens to be directly across from the CC building and our Rock competitor, which is fun.

8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?

Production/Imaging is always something I can improve on. As we all know, there are some that just "have it" in certain areas in our business. I would like to get better in that area... I have a great ear in how I like imaging to be, but for me to put it together is not as easy for me as it is for others.

9) How do you interact with your sales staff?

I try to attend a sales meeting at least once a month, where I listen to what they are doing and answer some questions, if need be. We also have a promotions meeting on Tuesday mornings, and the sales staff are invited in any time if they need some ideas or suggestions for a promotion.

10) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?

Soak up as much information as possible. Listen to others for suggestions, ideas and approaches that you may not have thought about to a situation. Ask questions ... there should never be a stupid question. If you don't know something, ask someone who does know.

As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?

I think everyone went for a job that they wanted but didn't get. Regrets, no. That just tells me to work harder and get better and have more experience to help me the next time around.

What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?

The best concert for me in 2007 was at my last station, WRXW; the Crawfish Boil festival that we had was AWESOME! Only the second festival for the station, and it drew 40,000 people over two days. The lineup was huge: Papa Roach, Operator, Seether, Hinder, Fuel, Buckcherry and many others... I am working on and hoping I can create a festival of that magnitude here in Lexington.

Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?

There are so many talented people that I can't name just one. Howard Stern, Sam Malone, Rod Ryan, Will Pendarvis, Sean Demery, Booker in Philly.

You're stuck on a deserted island and you get to pick one artist to be stuck with you. Who would it be and don't limit it to our format?

Carrie Underwood. Musically, she has talent, but it's Carrie freakin' Underwood ...one hot chick. Sorry, Tony Romo...

Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

Myspace.com, allaccess.com, cnn.com, and at least two cups of coffee,