10 Questions with ... Mayard

NAME:Mayard TITLE:APD/PM Drive STATION:WCPR-FM MARKET:Gulfport-Biloxi, MS COMPANY:Triad BORN:1/4/70 RAISED:Midwest

Please outline your radio career so far: (station/date, station/date, etc.)

WQZK Keyser WV '91-'95, first FT gig, AOR freeform, we ruled. Most of the time.
WVOD Outer Banks NC '95, AAA, coolest station on the beach.
WAFX Norfolk '95, corporate all the way, but still neat to work there.
WFQX Winchester VA '96-'97
WASP Uniontown PA '97, COUNTRY, hosted the world's worst morning show.
KRSQ Billings MT '97-'98, CHR, was there long enough to realize how much I hated cold weather.
WFYV Jacksonville FL '98-'05, CLASSIC ROCK, worked for and with many great people including David Moore and Patti Haze.
Learned A LOT and got serious. Came to learn and appreciate programming consistency and a no-nonsense approach to successful radio. Perhaps one day I'll return.

1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?

I worked weekends and overnights at a small AM jazz station in Richmond, Virginia.

Influences: Lujack, Edwards, Dahl and Meier. Grew up with 'em living in Chicago, and later got hooked on Seattle AOR radio by checking out the likes of Robyn and Maynard, Steve Slayton, and Scott Vanderpool. They were and still are what real Rock radio is all about. They "get it.

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

Well, the Air Force once told me that I was good and smart enough to get trained to fly multi-billion dollar aircraft, scream through the air and blow stuff up for the good 'ol US-of-A, but... My eyesight wasn't good enough. Bleeping Bleep-heads. Oh, well. Their loss.

3) How have the recent FCC regulations impacted the way you program your music and the station's dialogue on the air? What are your feelings about these recent changes?

I think more people need to get their collective heads out of the oven and realize that there's a button on your radio that will immediately eliminate anything "offensive" they might be subjected to. It's called the On/Off switch.

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

Radio is radio. Whether you're paying for it or not, you are still letting someone else pick your music for you. Satellite gives you more choices, sure, but we're still FREE! And FREE is still is a very good price! The net's a wonderful thing, too -- I just learned today that soon I'll be able to keep tabs on what my kid is buying at school for lunch!.

5) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

Fear from the forces of ignorance and intolerance that want to use the power of government to silence any ideas other than their own. Crappy, poorly-designed, finicky automation systems come in a close second.

6) 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?

We're pretty much a by-the-chart place around here, but I/we honestly try to listen to everything that hits the desk. I like running stuff by FatGuy, our psycho night jock here at CPR. If he says it sucks, it'll be a hit. We add it. Conversely, if I bring something to him that I think is truly vile, he usually loves it.

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

I've always been a big fan of KUFO in Portland. Love the attitude.

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

I had to be rushed to the ER after a guy broke a beer bottle over my head, angry with me because I had neglected to play a song for him, causing a split between him and his then-girlfriend. Pure Jerry Springer. It was freaky.

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

My arrival, of course.

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

Treat others well, and be flexible. Encourage your colleagues to step it up. You will discover some day that you cannot do it all alone, and you'll need their help.

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

I would have loved to meet Layne Staley. I've always been a huge AIC fan.

What gets you upset at work and how do you channel your anger?

Laziness. People who won't do their jobs piss me off to no end. I scream Black Flag tunes in the shower to deal with it.

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?

Shakira. I won't waste time explaining why.

What do you do in your spare time?

Spend it with people who gives a damn about me. Don't have the energy for anyone or anything else.

What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?

Best: Show up for work. You're no good to anyone if you're not around.

Who is your best friend in the business?

Beer.

You just won the lotto and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?

If I pay off your house, will you let me play GWAR?