10 Questions with ... Cindy Miller

NAME:Cindy Miller TITLES:PD STATION:WOTT MARKET:Watertown, NY COMPANY:Community Broadcasters BORN:Just outside of Deeeeeetroit RAISED:About an hour north of Detroit

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

WOTT -- February 2007
WBYR -- May 2004-September 2006
WABX -- November 1997-May 2004
WWBN -- March 1995-November 1997
WWGZ -- June 1993-March 1995

1) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?

Of course. Who wants to work for a living?

2) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?

Probably some sort of writing career. I love to write and was a stringer for a couple papers before I got into radio.

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

I think the relationships are much harder to develop because the label people are working so many acts and so many of them are juggling different formats. The programmers have a lot more on their plates, are being more directed from corporate and don't have the time to spend with the reps like they used to, so that trust between the two is tough to develop. There is so much pressure to get a record on and move on to the next thing that it's hard for the radio side to get excited and trust the rep when they essentially "sell" all the records and bands the same way. It was great when the reps actually knew the bands and their music and had a bond with them that they could then translate to radio. Plus everyone is so payola-paranoid about everything they say and do that the very cool partnership between radio and records that used to exist is rarely there.

4) What is the biggest change that you'd like to see happen in the business?

I would like radio to be entertainment again. It seems like everyone has become so focused on other aspects of the business that they have forgotten to have fun. I know it's hard to forget about budgets and revenue and cutbacks, but for those few hours that you're in the studio you're on stage. Listeners are giving you their most valuable commodity -- their time. Don't waste it.

5) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?

The one who does the dishes in the break room.

6) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?

Classic country. Yeeeeeeeeehaw. I don't wear these boots for nothin'.

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

No matter what anyone says, there's always great stuff out there, but with the quantity that is currently being churned out you have to look harder to find it. Quit doing what everyone else is doing, and follow your instincts. I hear people say, "It's not our job to break records." Bullshit. These are the same people who wonder why listeners go to Internet stations and satellite radio -- because they can't get what they want from us. When programmers and jocks truly care about the songs and the artists, they can and do translate that same excitement and passion to the listening audience.

8) Tell us what music we would find on your car or home CD player (or turntable) right now and what it is you enjoy about that particular selection.

Johnny Cash's Greatest Hits -- do ya really have to ask why? I also have a big stack of CDs like Stonesour, Ra, Hinder, Mudvayne, Seether. I pop those in when I road trip and am bored with the radio.

9) Please describe the best or worst promotion you've ever been part of?

The worst was probably "Brokeback Nickelback," where the morning show was giving away the last pair of tickets to a sold-out Nickelback show. They had two guys in the studio with their shirts off, and as the morning went on the guys had to touch and/or hold each other in various ways until one finally got disgusted and dropped out. Problem was, neither one dropped out! It became so incredibly uncomfortable to listen to -- and even more awful to watch. The guys had both come right from work and were sweaty and quite pungent, and one of them was rather large. Thank God it was radio and not TV. The morning show was at a loss, as neither guy would back down, so I finally went into the studio and gave up my own tickets just to make it stop. I still shudder when I think about it.

10) In today's world of multi-tasking and wearing many hats, how do you find time to show prep, and what sources do you use?

There's no excuse for not prepping -- especially with easy access to everything online. I try to set aside about an hour to read the local paper, check the local news websites, and also these sites: CNN.com, Blabbermouth.net, melodicrock.com, danoday.com, Pollstar, plus band websites. I also use whatever prep service is available -- Bitman, Sheet Happens, The Complete Sheet. There are a lot of great services out there.

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.

Joe Perry. I could survive by feasting on him with my eyes for weeks, maybe even months.

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

... a Mountain Dew first thing in the morning. It's the nectar of the Gods.

What's been your biggest disappointment in radio today?

The lack of imagination, originality and true entertainment in the business.

What do you like best about working in this format?

The audience's passion for the music and the irreverence of it all.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

The first woman President -- or Donny Osmond's wife.

Do you read? Everything? Books, Magazines, etc.? Nothing? What's your favorite reading material?

I will read anything, anywhere, at any time. I generally read a couple books a week, and re-read quite a few, like stuff from Leon Uris and Richard Adams. I also love Chuck Klosterman -- he understands the business and is just hysterical.