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10 Questions with ... Paul Marshall
July 26, 2005
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NAME:Paul MarshallTITLE:Afternoons/Super GeniusSTATION:WAAFMARKET:BostonCOMPANY:Entercom Boston LLCBORN:South BostonRAISED:All Over
Please outline your radio career so far: (station/date, station/date, etc.)
WZLX-Boston (Morning Show Producer), WHDH-Boston (Producer), WHEB-Portsmouth, NH (Weekends/Swing), WAAF-Boston (Weekends/Swing), WMFS-Memphis (Nights/Afternoons/MD/Interim PD), WCKW-New Orleans (Afternoons/MD), WEGE-Columbus, OH (Mornings), KRXQ-Sacramento (Afternoons/MD), WAAF-Boston (Afternoons/Super Genius). Lots of dates over 18 years
1) What was your first job in radio? First paying job was as an "Assistant Producer" for WZLX - Boston. Early influences?
Bob & Zip (WAAF), Mark Parenteau (WBCN), David Lee Roth, Foghorn Leghorn
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I moved around a lot. The constant was the radio. Seemed like a "cool job." When I saw how Cindy Bailen from WCOZ was worshipped like a goddess during a walk-a-thon, I figured, "Hero worship? Free CDs? No suits? Where do I sign?"
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Absolutely. Anyone who doesn't like working in radio's free to walk at any time. Go bang nails somewhere, and make room for the kid who's getting your coffee right now. Then tell me how shitty your job is.
4) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
Anyone who's ever been to Boston knows it's a unique city. It's truly unlike anywhere in the USA. We all have strong opinions on everything. It's the only city in America where two guys can sit at a bar all night in each others' faces and yell "Fuck You!" for four hours, and end up the night laughing as they post bail (Our night guy Mike Hsu adds: "no it's not...fuck you!").
5) How have the recent FCC regulations impacted the way you program your music and the station's dialogue on the air?
It's certainly changed the presentation. Suddenly, after 32 years, the phrase "do goody-good bullshit" has been eradicated from the American musical vernacular. I guess profanity will now fade off into the sunset. Thanks U.S. Government! What are your feelings about these recent changes? I think it's incredibly stupid. I'm fairly certain I'm not alone. I don't want the right to say "fuck" on the radio, but I think we'd all like to see some sort of blueprint as to what's allowed.
6) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
I think good entertainment is the final arbiter. Honestly, some terrestrial radio is really stale and stagnant. It's up to us to make sure that it doesn't become the norm, or we validate people's decision to pay for what we should have been giving them. Formulaic playlists and repetition are a huge complaint among listeners. It's a bigger problem than large spot loads. People will listen through stopsets if you give them a product worth listening to. Satellite is years away from posting profits. Internet radio is still years away from mass saturation. We need to use those years wisely, or audience erosion percentages will increase.
7) What can we be doing with our station websites to better our stations as a whole?
I'm surprised we don't incorporate them better. I think the idea that KNAC.com had years ago still works. Serve the audience that's there. No matter how many. Every satisfied listener will spread the word. Put up instant messaging, and chat. Be interactive. Be full-service. If we do better at that, there'll be less enticement for listeners to go to other websites or multimedia outlets.
8) What format does not exist that should? Credible Rock Radio Would it work?
Absolutely. If you hire people that know the music, the lifestyle they serve, and understand the principles of programming, it would absolutely work. Somebody will eventually have the balls to do it. When you do, I have lots of ideas and you know where to find me!
9) What's your take on current music? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same? Elaborate
McSong after McSong. Disposable, and boring. I don't mind saying it. A LOT OF NEW MUSIC IS REALLY HORRIBLE. This is not news. The problem is that when we finally get a band or song that sounds exciting and interesting, we friggin' let it go because it "doesn't test." If it's truly unlike what's currently out there and we don't know what "category" to put it in, we ignore it. I'll say it one more time, and maybe someone will finally open up their ears and consider it: Your real audience doesn't do phone research. They're living their lives. We as an industry bitch about the small sample size of Arbitron not being reflective of real listening, and then we go ahead and use the same criteria to choose what music we play. 100 people don't reflect the listening preferences of a city of 4 million. Never has. Never will. Stop trying to do this with lab rats. Sack up and play the good music. It's out there. You know it when you hear it. But, you somehow want others to validate your instincts. It doesn't have to be that way. Replace the fear of losing your job with the desire to do this right. You'll be a hero and the savior of our industry.
10) What are your three favorite artists or songs of this year?
Porcupine Tree, Seemless, and Danko Jones
Bonus Questions
Who would be your dream guest on the show?
The FCC. I just want to know why they feel it's their job to legislate freedom of choice. I invite any member reading this to call me. 617-931-1AAF. I'm here.
What is your favorite TV show?
Family Guy, or Entourage. Thank your deity of choice for TIVO (damn ... sales would love that plug $$$).
In your opinion, what is the greatest song ever that never made it as a hit?
"Shine" by Sevendust. Why doesn't this band sell millions?
at was the first song or full-length release you purchased?
"Last Child b/w Combination" by Aerosmith.
Have you listened to Sirius or XM yet? How does it compare to what we're doing on the commercial side?
I think they're well positioned musically, but lacking in overall personality. Great concept. So far, a massive failure, but the book's not closed. You can't discount them. In some cities, they're better than anything on the terrestrial side that's for sure.
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?
A brilliant songwriter with a flair for biting sarcasm.
Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?
I love the good hair bands. You know who they are ...
What is the biggest misconception about your station?
That our listeners are all "black t-shirt metalheads." You'd be surprised who loves Motorhead these days.
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