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10 Questions with ... Mandy Scott
May 12, 2009
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NAME:Mandy ScottTITLE:APD/mornings/middaysSTATION:WRXWMARKET:Jackson, MSCOMPANY:Backyard BroadcastingBORN:06/01/1981RAISED:Chicago, by way of Jersey
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WVUR 99-03
WZZN 04-05
WRXW 05-present1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
I got bit by the radio bug pretty early. My high school had a radio station and offered classes ... and I knew there was something to it when it was one of the few classes that actually held my sometimes gnat like attention span. From then on it was true love!
2) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I actually have a Bachelor's in Biology and Secondary Education with a minor in Chemistry ...did the whole student teaching thing and everything with the intention of either teaching or going to med school. Imagine my parents' surprise when after all that I said I wanted was moving to Jackson to be on the radio...
3) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
Like most people from the north, I thought Mississippi was going to be full of shirtless, shoeless, toothless people, and while I wasn't entirely wrong, it's way different than most people think. Jackson is a rock town with a ridiculous amount of shows coming through here. The last month alone we've seen Shinedown, Chevelle, Hinder, Theory of a Deadman, Red, Trapt ... and that's not all. Rock 93.9 listeners are by far the most supportive. Whether it's at a show or at a live broadcast from a gas station, they are out and about ... loud and proud in their rock gear!
4) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
I recently got a new car, and in it came a free one-year trial of satellite ... which, of course, I thought I wasn't even going to check out. But my curiosity eventually got me, and I caved in and gave it a listen. Sounds pretty good ... although it's missing a huge component - IT'S NOT LOCAL. And for our listeners, that's a big no-no.
5) What is the most rewarding promotion or activity your station has ever been involved with to benefit the community or a charity?
We did a 36-hour live broadcast charity toy drive for Christmas. We camped out at the mall -- and the support was amazing. We were working for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Mississippi and had raised enough toys for the kids in Jackson, and the kids on the coast. They invited us to their Christmas Party where they gave out the gifts, and for some kids that was the only gift they were getting that year ... talk about warm fuzzies! It was great to be a part of that, and truly shows the power of radio in your community to do some good.
6) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
I have to give love to Kraig Karson in Milwaukee. When I interned at the WZZN in Chicago, he was doing nights and let me pick his brain about the biz and just radio in general. He also would let me break in at night to work on my demo, really helped to steer me in the right direction ... and taught me how to make the most out of each break, no matter how short. He's funny, quick-witted, really down to earth, and says what he thinks ... and I appreciate that.
7) What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?
Q101 in Chicago because of their playlist. They've always had a wide variety of music, different styles of rock and alternative from different years, and I think that's cool. Keeps it funky, keeps it fresh ... and I'm a big fan of that
8) If you could add any one full-time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?
Another jock. Right now Brad, who is also the PD; Moose, who also does afternoons and imaging; and I do the morning show ... and that's pretty much the only entire show that's live. I voicetrack middays for the most part ... same thing for Moose in the afternoon, although he tries to be as live as possible, and we have Lou Brutus kicking ass at night. It's a great lineup that works well for us, but to be live all day and night again would be amazing.
9) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?
Chevelle. It was my first time seeing them, and to be honest, was a shock to me they were playing a club in Jackson. It was an amazing live show, and for the fans to be that close to a band that big was fantastic. Great guys, too!
10) 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?
Papa Roach - Metamorphasis, great album...always been a fan
Halestorm - It's always great to welcome another kick-ass chick to the rock family
Sublime's greatest hits - and yes they are!
Bonus Questions
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 innocent.)
One of our old GMs was notorious for whiting out documents ... yeah ... cause that's how it's done.
What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Don't ask for permission, beg for forgiveness ... although I still find myself asking sometimes
What was the first song or full-length release you purchased?
The first CD I ever owned was Ace of Base...I have trouble getting " I Saw The Sign" out of my head ... now I'm mad I even brought it up cause it's already starting!
How do you stay in tune with your audience?
We are lucky in the fact that our sales staff keeps us on the streets. Whether it's a show or a live broadcast, we are literally given the chance to be out several times each week. Plus, with MySpace, Twitter, and Facebook, it's almost like there are too many ways to contact people nowadays! Ha ha
What is a typical day like in your position?
I get here around 5:30ish ... show prep and news ... do mornings live from 6-10 ... VT middays ... then it's off to work on the website, Twitter account, handle production for the station, and get with Brad to work on promotions, music ... whatever he needs, really ... as he likes to say, "Mandy's my right-hand man, 50 grand!" which is cool cause it keeps me an active part in station events.
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