10 Questions with ... Al 'The Vanman' Field

NAME:Al 'The Vanman' Field TITLE:PD STATION:WRCQ (Rock 103) MARKET:Fayetteville NC COMPANY:Cumulus BORN:Maryland RAISED:Portland, OR/ Fayettevill,e NC

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

ECU College Radio WZMB/Greenville NC 1992-1995, WRCQ (with three different company buyouts since) June 1995 - present.

1) What was your first job in radio?

Newscaster and weekend specialty programming at WZMB ECU College radio in Greenville, NC.

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

I might have ended up mopping up the "Movie Rooms" at the local adult bookstore, or selling moonshine. Thanks to my first PD Ann for hiring me and saving me from a life of drinking and despair!

3) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?

No comparison! You can never substitute local radio with satellite! Cable didn't hurt the locals in the Television department, ya know?.

4) What can we be doing with our station websites to better our stations as a whole?

Keep it as fresh as possible!! Make 'em come back for more! We are constantly updating pictures (lots of half-naked girls helps in this area), our station events, and home page.

5) What makes your station or market unique?

Fayetteville is home to the 82nd Airborne, Ft Bragg and Pope AFB, which means families are constantly moving in and out of the market, so we are constantly trying to win, and keep, our listeners as the population keeps changing.

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

I'd say it's gotten worse. It's like pulling teeth (horse teeth) to get some labels just to show some promotional love, while others show more love than fat ladies at the "All You Can Eat" Oreo cookie buffet, ya know? Thanks to the loving labels (you know who you are).

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

Someone who could take the station van (a large bread truck) and drive it somewhere every day. But this person needs to have promotional goodies, too, so a promotion budget to go along with it would be great!

8) What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you at a remote?

It was the premiere of "Spiderman" on a Friday night. A couple part-timers and myself were in front of the theatre, "welcoming the crowd," which I could only describe as more Urban than Rock. Needless to say, after cleaning off the popcorn and Junior Mints off my shirt, the crowd wasn't too happy with us. Good times!

9) What was the first song or full-length release you purchased?

My first cass-single (remember those? Cassette singles?) Ozzy & Lita's "If I Close My Eyes Forever."

10) What kind of activities do you enjoy OUTSIDE of Radio?

Flying (private pilot since 2001), scuba diving (certified since 4/17/05), camping and sewing (okay, THAT one was a joke).

What is your favorite radio or TV commercial?

My favorite radio spots would be the Budweiser "Real Men Of Genius" commercials. Mr. 80-Proof Sunblock-wearer! Love it!

Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?

Tool/A Perfect Circle's Maynard James Keenan ... I guess since he's got such a bad rep when it comes to meeting people.