10 Questions with ... Mike Karolyi

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Twenty-three years of my 25- year career has been with WCCC, starting as an intern and working up to on-air, promotions, Production Dir., overnights, middays, MD and APD.

1) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?

Five years from now the radio industry will be doing just fine. As a matter of fact I believe it will be thriving. At WCCC, we aren't sitting around complaining about the economy. We are finding creative ways to generate revenue. We continue to cater to our listeners and include them in everything we do and we continue to evolve. We embrace new technology and make it a part of WCCC. There is no reason to believe that the radio industry will not be doing better five years from now than it has ever done.

2) How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?

The relationship between programmer and record label is changing for the worse. Unfortunately, nobody has the time we used to have. Considering layoffs and downsizing, we are all doing more jobs at once. This doesn't allow for the same amount of time we used to have to talk on the phone, meet face to face or go to a show together. Obviously the work is getting done, but if I didn't have the long-standing relationships that I have built over the last 25 years, I believe it would be very difficult to create them today.

3) 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?

WCCC doesn't have a music meeting. If I like the song and I feel the song fits WCCC, I will add it. After that it is up to the listeners. It's all about guts and ears here ... and we have been very successful doing things this way. WCCC does not do research. WCCC has never done research. Let me correct that: WCCC doesn't pay for research; we simply listen to our listeners. I know it sounds crazy but we actually value their opinion ... and if they want us to continue playing something, we do. If they want it gone ... it's gone.

Our afternoon host "Miss Klonk" does a feature called "Hit or Diss" that allows the listeners a direct effect on the music playlist. I host a show every Sunday called "WCCC's Sunday Night Top 9 at 9," featuring the top-9 most-requested new songs on WCCC. Every request via phone, e-mail, Facebook, etc., is counted. These are just a few examples of how WCCC encourages the listeners' interaction and values their opinion. Let's face it, they will be listening to us. They might as well like what they hear.

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

I can honestly say I don't have a favorite radio station outside of WCCC. I have heard some stations copy what we do, but nobody has been able to capture the real spirit of WCCC. Most other stations are boring to me. Same boring songs, same boring jocks saying the same boring things. What's to like?

WCCC is unique both in playlist and air staff. Our new morning show of Picozzi, Mary and Holden sound different than any other show in Hartford. We play songs most other won't because they don't listen to their listeners. WCCC is still one of the few fun radio stations left in America and I believe you can hear that when you listen.

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

Current music is about the same right now as it was six months ago. What is different? Have you heard anything that is going to change the landscape of popular culture? I haven't. The songs we have now are fine. Most of it is safe, middle-of-the-road rock. Much of it sounds the same as everything else, so I am listening for something different. Something that rocks with a different message or sound. I haven't heard it yet this year.

6) How often do you do remotes and which work best for the station?

WCCC is out all the time. It's a rare occasion when we aren't out somewhere on a given night. We are all over southern New England with remotes and appearances. WCCC will gear up the Hummers and vans with prizes and head out to say hello to the listeners. Some remotes work better than others. Let's face it, when we are on a stage bringing out their favorite band, it's a better reaction than if we are at a bank on a Tuesday afternoon. But if we can make one listener and client happy with that appearance, it was well worth the visit.

7) 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?

Life is show prep. The places you visit, the things you eat, what you see and do all contribute to your show prep. The fact that you don't have time to show prep is show prep. Your listeners can relate to that. The trick is finding the right way to relate the information to them. It helps to keep a note pad or memo recorder to retain your thoughts and ideas but life is show prep.

8) What is the most rewarding promotion or activity your station has ever been involved with to benefit the community or a charity?

The most rewarding promotion that I have been involved in with WCCC is our charity CD series called "WCCC Live at Planet of Sound." This year we hope to release volume 5 and it will once again benefit the American Cancer Society. Not only do we give the listeners a great product featuring the best acoustic performances from the past year but since being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2007, this has been near and dear to my heart.

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

My three favorite artists of the year are All That Remains, Shinedown and Alice In Chains. All That Remains have found a way to keep their heavy sound, yet soften enough to get all day airplay at WCCC. "Two Weeks" has yet to burn and "Forever In Your Hands" is performing the same. We're also proud to have another band from our home area do well; All That Remains is on their way. I love the latest Shinedown CD "The Sound of Madness." This is the best CD they have recorded. Great songs! Who isn't happy to see and hear the return of Alice In Chains? Most bands cannot go on after the loss of the original singer yet Alice In Chains have been able to do it. "Check My Brain" opens with a monster riff and the vocals are pure AIC. So happy to hear new music from them.

10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?

I don't have any regrets with my career. In the early days I was told I needed to leave Hartford and chase the bigger market and bigger dollars. I was always challenged at WCCC and never felt the need to go elsewhere to do what I was already doing. I certainly didn't get into radio to be on the radio. I am in this for the music and the fact that I get to work as closely with it as I do is very exciting to me. For example, I was the first one to play "Outside" by Staind. As you know, this went on to become a huge hit for Staind and to know that I gave that song a start at radio is very special to me. No regrets.

How do you position the station musically and why did you choose this direction?

WCCC rocks ... period. We are what we have been for 30 years now. WCCC is a guitar-driven Rock station. We play old rock songs, new rock songs, heavy rock songs and one-hit wonders. There is no mistaking the fact that WCCC is the Rock station in Hartford. We didn't choose this; it's our heritage and we embrace it.

Who would be your dream guest on the show?

I have interviewed almost everyone that I have hoped for over the years, but Robert Plant still eludes me.

Favorite artist you have met?

No band has been more gracious to me than Staind.

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

I would love to have met John Lennon. To be able to interview him and maybe find out the one thing that no other interviewer revealed would be the pinnacle.

Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without...

...my son Mikey.