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10 Questions with ... Bodhi Ebright
November 13, 2007
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NAME:Bodhi EbrightTITLE:PD/ on-air hostSTATION:XM 48 Squizz (Active Rock)MARKET:North AmericaCOMPANY:XM Satellite RadioBORN:in a dazeRAISED:hell, every chance I could
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
To make a long story short, I've worked on-air, in promotions and imaged various stations in the Jacor, Clear Channel and CBS/Infinity chains before coming to XM.
1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
A tornado warning in 2nd grade. We're all out in the hall sitting with books over the back of our necks. During a break in the storm, I started thumbing through this book and saw a picture of a DJ doing his thing in a studio -- and I was hooked. It helped that the girl sitting next to me thought it looked cool, too. Done!
2) How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?
It's good for us. Grant (Squizz, MD), Steve Kingston (XM SPD/Nat'l Director Artist/Label Relations) and I are proactive with labels and management. You have to be. Get off your ass and make something happen. That goes for both sides.
3) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
Maintaining its cool factor/relevance and not letting the audience drop like flies and migrate completely towards iPods.
4) Describe your weekly music meeting ... a) what is the process when you listen to new music? b) approximately how important by percentage is gut, research, sales, video play, and chart position when determining the status of a record?
Grant and I listen to songs. If we like them, we play them. What a concept.
5) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
Growing up, Steve Kerrigan on WLVQ made the coolest impression on me. I've never forgotten it. Currently it's Sludge, who is now doing mornings on Y101 Richmond. When he's on his game, no one can touch him.
6) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?
Tool. If you've never seen them, you'll never get it.
7) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
No matter how hot the chick is, there's always some guy saying. "I'm glad the bitch is gone."
8) Please describe the best promotion you've ever been part of?
Squizz gave away an all-expenses paid trip to New York City to see Tool at the beginning of their touring behind "10,000 Days" in an intimate venue. The contest was huge. The winner was from Florida. We ended up overloading our phone lines and blew them all out on the studio floor of XM's HQ in DC. Maynard James Keenan then came on the air a few months later, "kidnapped" me and took me bowling. One of the greatest days ever!
9) Most of us have known or even worked for a "colorful" owner/GM/air talent. Care to share a story? (The names can be changed to protect the incredibly guilty).
While I was an intern back in the day, Munch (our Promotion/Sports Director) and I were handling a promotion at the National Trail Raceway. Muscle cars everywhere. No other car had any business even stepping up to the track. At one point during the day, only one car pulls up to the two-lane starting line. We waited and waited on the next car until finally, Munch, wanting to keep the event moving forward (no pun intended) says "I'll be back, bro." I say, "Where are you going?" He says "I'm gonna race!" I'm like, "In what?" and he says "The van." Next thing I know, here comes Munch pulling up to the starting line next to this badass looking car in the STATION VAN!
Munch, playing along, starts revving up the van's engine next to this guy and the guy, like the rest of us, is laughing his ass off at Munch's ambition in the van. Munch, jokingly, is talking all kinds of trash to the guy, and when the light went green, Munch guns it and the guy played along with Munch for 75 yards or so, then blew Munch's doors off. Munch ended up blowing up the van's engine during the race! When Munch came back over to us, I said, "Dude, that was so cool!" He said "that's rock n roll, kid!" He's one of the greatest mentors ever. It's impossible not to have fun around that guy!
10) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers?
I would pass on what a PD of mine once said. Greg Ausham told us, when constructing breaks, that brevity with content is key.
Bonus Questions
What is your favorite TV show?
The Simpsons. What is it now, 18 years and running? You could be having the crappiest day ever. Then go home and throw on a Simpsons episode and Homer will have you laughing within 10 minutes.
Favorite artist you have met?
Rob Zombie. Screw Barnum and Bailey ... he's the greatest show on earth.
What do you do in your spare time?
Martial arts, snowboard, armchair quarterbacking.
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