10 Questions with ... Wes Styles

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

I remember being 11 years old and asking my mom what it took to be a radio DJ. Growing up, radio DJs were seen as local celebrities and it seemed like a cool job ... plus I love music. When I was 14, I met Dom Nardella (WKRK) and he became like an older brother to me in the biz, showing me the ropes, letting me make my first demos, etc. He, to this day, still apologizes for getting me into this line of work.

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

Only the funniest job in the whole work ... dairy department manager! (please note the sarcasm). I didn't drink milk for over a year after having nearly 18 gallons dumped on me in the cooler. The pallet jack hit the drain, turned hard, and cause the entire thing to spill over breaking just about every container on it and splashing it on me.... If I wasn't doing radio, I'd probably be stuck doing that job still (since I was fired from it because I was taking too much time off to be at the station)

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

It's gotten better over the last few years. Everyone I work with is great and we have an understanding of how the other works. They don't push on me and vise versa. Now that the whole Eliot Spitzer deal is behind us, labels are more willing to work with stations on promotions to help cultivate an artist and really make the station shine at the same time.

4) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

Staying connected with the audience and being the ones to expose them to new music ... with the Interest, it's easier to find music so we don't look as "cool" as we once did when bringing out "new" music. Social networking is another thing, too. You've got to be on top of that while being on air to coach a listener to tune in if they aren't already.

5) 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?

I pick out a couple of tunes I think could work. We sit in my office for a pow-wow and talk about each track. It's all gut to put something on the station for me, especially with new artists. After that ... research and requests. If the audience is not reacting, then something is up.

There have been many times, case-and-point Megadeth "The Right To Go Insane," that a song has died or never did anything nationally, but we'll power it due to our research. By the way, that song is in recurrent status for us.

6) If you could add any one full-time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?

A LOCAL MORNING SHOW! We miss a lot without having local bodies in the studio. Sure, syndicated morning shows work for their entertainment value and access to bigger named celebrities ... but you miss out on your station anchor being in market and out at remotes. I am blessed with that fact that I have the T&A morning show (WYAV-FM) out of Myrtle Beach, SC. Tommy Collins was from this market so he can morph the show to help connect with our audience ... You can't get that with Lex & Terry, Bob & Tom, etc.

7) 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?

Right now it's a wide range ... The Best of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Social Distortion "Live at the Roxy," All That Remains "For We Are Many" and DJ Prestige "Flea Market Funk"

I have such a wide taste in music. I love the classics like Glenn Miller - that age in music is timeless. Social Distortion is my all-time favorite band. All That Remains - probably my favorite album this year, DJ Prestige - I love DJ mix tapes and live sets featuring Old School funk, soul and R&B ... Like I said, wide range and I can go from one extreme to the next with the change of a disc.

8) How do you interact with your sales staff?

They call me "Dr. No"... does that tell you anything? But seriously, I work with them to help create promotions that fit our product. I'm not going to put a promotion on WXQR/'QXL that doesn't fit the lifestyle of our audience. I might be stern, but I do help to take what they give me and make a success while fitting our format

9) As an air talent, how has industry consolidation helped or hurt you? What effect has industry consolidation had on the way you program your station?

I came in the biz while the consolidation was happening so it's all I've known. Does it hurt us? Of course, I wear a lot of hats ... PD, middays, webmaster, Promotions Director ... It's all in the matter in how you delegate the jobs out and work on them.

Thankfully, I have a great team at NextMedia/New Bern that offers to help out (even if it's not their station) and recently added another full-time spot on the station

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

I have learned never to look back with regrets. Everything that has happened in my life and/or career has made me the person I am today and I am extremely happy with everything right now. I've got a great team at an amazing station with ample opportunity ahead of us.

What was the biggest gaffe you've made on-air?

Thought the mic was off at a remote broadcast and realized that I didn't hit the button after talking with my co-host about our escapades the night before over the current playing song ... Thankfully, my girlfriend at the time called my cell to let me know since some of it involved her!

What is the biggest change that you'd like to see happen in the business?

Promotion budgets! It's tough operating on no promo budget to get shirts, koozies, stickers, trips, etc. That's why I am soooo glad we have a great working relationship with the labels we deal with to create great promotions around bands we believe in.

Favorite artist you have met?

Ozzy Osbourne and Mike Ness of Social Distortion.

What was the first song or full-length release you purchased?

Green Day's "Dookie" - that should be in the first five albums any rock fan of this and any generation after buys. Classic teen angst, punk rock album.

How often do you aircheck your own shows? Is it mandatory that you run tape everyday? Also, can you honestly critique yourself?

I am my own worst enemy. I run tape as much as possible on myself and even have my staff aircheck me. Can you honestly critique yourself? By all means, YES

How many songs do you have active in your library?

Too many to count. I was talking with our PD for WERO (Top 40). He said something along the lines of we have close to 145 songs in our active library ... my response, I have that in my Golds.