10 Questions with ... Chili Walker

NAME:Chili Walker TITLE:Program Director/morning man STATION:WZOW MARKET:South Bend, IN COMPANY:Artistic Media Partners BORN:Cortland, NY RAISED:Here, there, everywhere

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

WDWN - Auburn, NY (College Station) - Sept. 1989
WMBO/WPCX - Auburn, NY
WCVF - Fredonia, NY (College Station)
WDOE - Dunkirk, NY
WHEN AM/FM - Syracuse, NY
WKDY - Utica/Rome, NY
WKXP - Bloomsburg, PA
WKRL - Syracuse, NY
WXXK - Claremont, NH
WCIZ - Watertown, NY
WWBN - Flint, MI
WKRK -- Detroit, MI
WWDX - Lansing, MI
WQBK - Albany, NY
WAVH - Mobile, AL
WGLF - Tallahassee, FL
WOTT - Watertown, NY
WZOW - South Bend, IN

1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it? "

I found myself at Cayuga Community College in Auburn, NY. I thought I was going to try the TV thing (behind the scenes ... I do have a face for radio!). Then one day, someone asked me if I wanted to be on the College Station. I said, "Sure why not?" and that was it. I was hooked!

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

Radio has changed a lot in the past 17 years. But it's still the best job in the world ... hell yeah, I'd do it again!!!!

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

El Jefe and J Dubs, with their new show "Next." These guys are amazing talents -- and they are unemployed. Somebody hire these guys before the Fall book!

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

WWBN (Banana 101.5)/Flint, MI. Love this station! Great station, amazing talent, amazing promotions ... the town would KILL for these guys! Brian Beddow and Tony Labrie have made this station legendary -- all in the shadow of WRIF

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

I'll take a jock! I think its time we put bodies back in the studio!

6) How do you position the station musically and why did you choose this direction?

An updated Classic Rock built for those in their mid-30s, a stronger dose of hair and '80s rock, a good helping on the good early grunge, and the true classics....without all the wimpy Fleetwood Mac/ Elton John crap. We chose this to squeeze in between the other two Rock stations in town (one likes it wimpy; the other is an Active Rocker)

7) What is your station's weakest daypart -- and what are you doing to turn it around?

Well, right now all I have is me in mornings. So I'm kind of looking for an afternoon-driver. I'm just trying to staff the place; that is how I plan on turning it around

8) What led to your station's recent ratings increase?

Well, I can honestly say...ME!bI took over mornings and programming back in January, had only two part-time employees to round out the staff (one did one hour a day, the other did three). I took the mornings to #2 Men 25-59, knocking off the "so-called" heritage Classic Rocker's morning show and coming in second to Bob & Tom (in their home state of Indiana) -- not bad for the first book!

9) 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?

I don't get enough true "show prep time" so I make the most of what I can. I love the complete sheet. They rock. When in doubt, I talk about boobs

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

Learn everything, do everything, ask questions, don't forget what it was like to be a "newbie" -- and continue to learn, no matter what

In your opinion, what is the greatest song ever that never made it as a hit?

Caroline Spine's "Sullivan." I still love that tune!

How much time do you spend surfing the net?

Plenty of time on the Net ... and not all of it for porn. It's like 70/30.

Describe your favorite meal.

Free ... or anything at Hooters.