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10 Questions with ... Mistress Carrie
April 8, 2008
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NAME:Mistress CarrieTITLE:MD/Afternoon-Drive hostSTATIONS:WAAFMARKET:BostonCOMPANY:Entercom Boston LLCBORN:Leominster, MA (45 mikes west of Boston)RAISED:Leominster
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
July 1991 - Hired as an intern at WAAF
April 1994 - Hired part-time promotions
Feb 1998 - Hired part-time on air
April 1998 - Hired full-time on-air nights
May 2001 - hired full-time on-air middays
2004 - Promoted to Music Director
2006 - Promoted to afternoon drive1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
This is my first job in radio. I've never worked at another radio station. I started as an intern, got hired to drive the van ... one very famous April Fool's Day prank later, I was a DJ. I've been at WAAF for 17 years and on the air for 10. I'll end up sweeping the floors someday! I'm like a barnacle; they can't scrape me off!
2) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
When I got hired full-time at WAAF, I was a truck driver, I had my Class A CDL and I was working as a roadie. I would build stages and light shows for everyone from President Clinton to George Clinton. I was happy to turn in my C wrench when WAAF came calling ... If not that, I would be running my family's Italian bakery in Leominster. I was 5th generation and because my sister and I decided to pursue other careers, the bakery was closed. So, I'm on the radio and my sister is trying to cure brain cancer at Children's Hospital. We can both still make a mean cannolli, though!
3) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
Any local label rep or jock who has worked in Boston will tell you that this city is weird! And it is ... But if you're from Boston, you love the weirdness. We're a big city with a small town feel, and we don't do anything half-assed! When we dig a tunnel it costs $15 BILLION; when we eat, it's 10,000 calories; and when we lose a football game it's the biggest loss in history! This city is passionate about everything ... food, booze, sports, radio and a healthy hatred of New York! If you're a member of 'the club,' you get it... If you're not, I think you're just annoyed! Understanding the quirks of the market is key! GO SOX!
4) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
We do compete, but we can always do better. We're out on the streets and accessible. We're involved in the community doing charity work, etc, We're live and local. In a city like Boston, you have to know what's going on locally to be relevant. You have to be a member of the "club," We're like a cult ... secret handshakes and all!
5) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?
If I knew the answer to that question, I'd be the highest paid guru around. I'm waiting for the time when the microchips get surgically implanted into the brains of the listeners. That way I can control their every move from my studio! There would be an alarming rate of indecent exposures on the streets of Boston after that day! Seriously, I never expected to be where I am now, so ... who knows! I hope I'm healthy and happy and still working for Ron!
6) What is the biggest change that you'd like to see happen in the business?
I'd like to fill out a few less forms ... This industry is singlehandedly wiping out the rainforest because of all of the forms ... Thanks to Eliot "Hooker Lover" Spitzer, I have writer's cramp every day! (His hookers have a different kind of hand cramps.)
7) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
That hard work pays off. Persistence is everything. I started at WAAF as an intern in 1991. I got coffee, dubbed airchecks, mailed out prizes and any other task they had. It seems that now, less and less interns are willing to really start at the bottom. But those who are, are rewarded ...They stand out!
8) What was the biggest gaffe you've made onair?
In 1999, I had a female porn star in the studio' she was having sex with a female listener live on-air... I was running so late, that I dropped my spots to make up the time... My GM hotlined me; he wanted to say hi to the porn star! It was great radio, but the next day I was told that "The next time you have a porn star having sex with a listener on the air ... get your spots on!" Lesson learned! Ahhhh, the good ol' days!
9) Please describe the best or worst promotion you've ever been part of?
The most rewarding experience of my life (career included) was my trip to Iraq in 2006. I was one of, if not the, first "non-news" journalist ever embedded with the U.S. Army. I was LIVE via the Internet and SAT phone for 11 days. I spent the 5th anniversary of 9/11 in Baghdad at the prison that held Sadaam Hussien, went on an armored convoy, ran for my life during a mortar attack, flew over the entire country in a Blackhawk only 200 feet above the ground, met over 1,000 troops from New England, got a deeper understanding of the culture, walked through UR and visited the Prophet Abraham's house, learned that the American media is only telling us half the story ... I ate, slept and traveled like a soldier (no gun, though), and finally learned that a group of highly trained and honorable strangers will put their lives on the line to protect me and anyone else who needs help. The trip changed my life forever, and I would go back in a minute if asked! No matter what you think about the war, until you've been there ... you don't know the whole story! SUPPORT THE TROOPS!
10) What's the closest you ever came to getting arrested for an on-air stunt? Or did you actually get arrested?
A few years ago, we had an outdoor concert in Brockton, MA -- a somewhat dangerous city. The police and organizers were very worried about the size of the crowd and a possible riot breaking out. I asked one of the cops to wear his jacket, hat and handcuffs, so I could go up on stage and "break the mood." I believe I "arrested" Tommy Lee that day (not his first time), I ended up causing a HUGE controversy by "impersonating a police officer." I was on the front page of all of the papers; the officers involved were suspended and demoted. Some people in the city wanted me prosecuted. It was great press, and I raised money on-air to pay the cops who were suspended without pay. So, I was never arrested ... but I came close. As far as actually getting arrested...? I've just never been caught.
Bonus Questions
Who would be your dream guest on the show?
I would KILL for five minutes with Eliot Spitzer. I really want to know what you get for $4,300 and why he needs to keep his socks on. Does he have bad circulation? Musical guests? The list is long ... Lennon, Hendrix, Bonham, etc. I'd love to interview Keith Richards and Ozzy at the same time ... just to see if I could understand what was going on!
What gets you upset at work and how do you channel your anger?
I get mad at myself all the time for not delivering a break the way I had planned. I do so much research and prep and when I screw up, I get pissed. I'm way harder on myself than Ron could ever be. I channel my anger and yell at whoever deserves it the most! HA! Actually, after work, I'll hop on my Harley and head to the drop zone and throw myself out of a plane! Terminal velocity and possible death has a way of calming you down! When all else fails, I spend a few minutes in my office packing up care packages for WAAF listeners who are deployed overseas. Trust me, after what I think is a bad day, that puts everything into perspective and reminds me how lucky I am to do what I do.
Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Bitching ... I bitch therefore I am!
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