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10 Questions with ... Al "The Vanman" Field
July 12, 2005
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NAME:Al "The Vanman" FieldTITLE:APD/MD/PM driveSTATION:WRCQ (Rock 103)MARKET:Fayetteville NCCOMPANY:CumulusBORN:MDRAISED:Portland OR/ Fayetteville NC
Please outline your radio career so far: (station/date, station/date, etc.)
ECU College Radio WZMB 91.3 fm Greenville NC 1992-1995, WRCQ (with 3 different company buyouts since) June 1995 - present.
1) What was your first job in radio?
Hosting News, 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?
Gosh, I'd probably be cleaning the "Movie Rooms" at the local adult bookstore, or selling moonshine. Thanks Ann (WTHZ PD) for hiring me and saving me from a life of drinking and despair!
3) What makes your station or market unique?
Fayetteville is home to the 82nd Airborne, Ft Bragg & 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.
4) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
No comparison! You can never substitute local radio w/ satellite! Cable didn't hurt the locals in the Television Department ya know?.
5) What can we be doing with our station web sites 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 homepage
6) How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?
Hmmm speaking PERSONALLY, 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 u can eat Oreo cookie buffet, ya know? Thanks to the loving labels (you know who you are).
7) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
Aaron Roberts WROV Roanoke VA, because he paid me to say that. Kidd Carter K-92 in Roanoke, because he didn't pay me as much as Aaron, and Chris Chaos WARO in Ft Myers, because it's Florida & I want to work there!!
8) 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 everyday. But this person needs to have promotional goodies too, so a PROMOTIONAL budget to go along with it would be PERFECT!!
9) Tell us what music we would find on your car or home CD player (or turntable) right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?
Chevelle, Tool, ICP, Fade to Bluegrass: A Bluegrass Tribute to Metallica (friggin awesome), Slipknot, The Cure (hey, you asked) to name a few. Nothing like variety, eh?
10) What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you at a remote?
I will NEVER forget this one. It was the premiere of SPIDERMAN on a Friday night. A couple parttimers 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!
Bonus Questions
What is your favorite TV Commercial?
The Geico commercials are great!! I love the Caveman version! Radio Commercial? Budweiser, Real Men Of Genius Commercials. Mr. 80 Proof Sun block wearer!!!! Love it!
Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?
Maynard James Keenan. I guess since he's got such a bad rep when it comes to meeting people. Dude, come on.
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."
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?
Are you kidding? For obvious reasons, Jessica Simpson (oh yeah, she'd get it).
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).
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