10 Questions with ... Twisted Todd

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• WINR Winthrop Radio
  Winthrop University
  On-air personality
  August 1997-December 1998
• WTPT New Rock 93.3 the Planet
  Greenville, SC
  PT On-air personality
  March 1999-September 2003
• WNNX 99X
  Atlanta, GA
  PT On-air personality
  September 2003-August 2004
• WTPT New Rock 93.3 the Planet
  Greenville, SC
  PT On-air personality
  January 2005-March 2007
• WTPT New Rock 93.3 the Planet
  Greenville, SC
  Music Director/Afternoon-drive on-air personality
  March 2007-present

1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?

There really wasn't just one defining moment but several. I have always been fascinated by radio, but for some odd reason I wanted to be a teacher in high school. However, when it came to job shadowing, I didn't want to spend all day IN SCHOOL! I mean, what's the fun in that? So I chose to shadow a radio station and, of course, I got a crappy local AM station, but it is where I made my broadcast debut!

When I got to college, I began as a math major with the intent to teach high school math. After my FIRST DAY of Math 101 or whatever the class was, I changed my major to undecided because I was bored to frickin' tears from the little Asian lady (Ms. Lee ... I'm not EVEN kidding!) rambling on for over an hour about exponents. First day of classes! I thought the first day was supposed to be an icebreaker!

Eventually word got around that the Mass Communications Department would be resurrecting their radio station in a couple of years and I took interest and eventually declared Broadcasting as my major and the rest, they say, is history.

2) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?

Absolutely. I remember when I first started working in college radio, I said to myself that I didn't want to go out and do radio in the "real world" because it was harder than I had expected. But once I got the hang of it, I couldn't imagine going back and doing anything else and, believe me, I have done virtually every crap job known to man ... and sucked at all of them!

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

I've been playing bass guitar for over 16 years, so I would be doing something in the music industry somehow. Granted, I'd still love to perform for a living and would jump at the opportunity should the right one present itself.

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

I think "terrestrial" radio, as you call it, holds up very well to satellite radio and the Internet. I always run into people when I go out who have to make it a point to tell me that they "don't listen to radio" because they either have satellite radio or this or that. Hell, I have an iPod that I love, but I still listen to radio and not just because I work in radio and try to monitor it while I'm not at work. Local radio will always give the listener something satellite radio never could -- real connection to what is going on in your own backyard.

5) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?

I love '80s stations or even Mix stations like the "Dave" or "Joe Bob" (whatever the hell they call it) formats, but every time one launches in this area, it goes down in flames within a year or so. Sad.

6) What's your take on current music? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same?

Being a product of the '80s, I think the best music has already been recorded. However, I think music in the past few years far surpasses that of the past decade starting with the late '90s through the earlier part of the now past decade that no one has yet named. I think bands like SHINEDOWN and SICK PUPPIES will continue to make great music, unlike a lot of the other bands that surfaced and fizzled out almost immediately as flash-in-the-pan bands.

7) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?

Well since the year has just started, I will say that the best show I caught in '09 was SLIPKNOT! Amazing live show! Ending the year I got to see METALLICA, STAR WARS In Concert and TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, all within a few weeks of one another -- and they were incredible! As for this year, the American Carnage Tour with SLAYER, MEGADETH and TESTAMENT should be the best show of 2010!

8) 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?

Phil Collins' first solo disc "Face Value," which I bought at the end of October for the very first time. I'm trying to get into the whole album, but "In the Air Tonight" and "Missed Again" are unbeatable!

9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

I am dedicated and dependable behind the scenes and random as hell on the air -- and have a tendency to share more about myself than most want to hear. My unofficial on-air name is "T.M.I. Todd!" I also have a tendency to mock rock karaoke at the beginning and end of songs by certain obnoxious vocalists such as Axl Rose. Most people love it, but it pisses some listeners off but I'm not stopping any time soon!

10) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on-air? (dead air ... forget a mic was still on ... etc.)

When I first started at this station over 10 years ago, on my very first night I accidentally hit the delay button which, at that time, was located next to the cart machine we used for loading commercials. I didn't know what was going on, I just knew that when I turned the mic on, I couldn't hear myself so I'd stop and then hear a random blurbed syllable go out over the air a few seconds later. I totally freaked out and ended up having to call an engineer after 2 in the morning. I don't think he liked me much after that....

What are your three favorite artists or songs of this year?

Again, the year has just begun, but I look forward to seeing SKILLET, HALESTORM and SICK PUPPIES continue to succeed as they did this past year. Love those bands!

What approach do you take after a soft book?

Well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a bit discouraged immediately after a rough book but at the same time, I usually don't tend to do anything really different than before because I almost always bounce right back. Ratings can be like a roller coaster and what goes down almost certainly comes right back up.

How do you interact with your sales staff?

Somebody sells this stuff?!

In today's world of multi-tasking and wearing many hats, how do you find time to show prep and what sources do you use?

I am usually working feverishly in my office until the time I go on the air because I tend to work better under pressure, so I usually prep while on the air by utilizing Premiere News & Prep, as well as a weekly tip sheet from Jacobs Media in addition to keeping CNN or The Weather Channel on in the studio

How much difference is there between your programming at night, versus programming in the day?

Pretty much the same, except a few newer songs are thrown in the mix as well as a few extreme classics such as MARILYN MANSON.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I'm 5'4" and I act like I'm 12. I wouldn't say I've "grown up"....