10 Questions with ... Mary Martin Almond

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• March 1997-September 2000: The Rebel Rocker 99X/Real Rock Radio Shreveport
• September 2002-present: The Rock Station 99X/Shreveport

1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?

My first job in radio was your basic overnight weekend liner jock. My sister was the midday jock and was absolutely my first influence. Another would be Paul Cannel. He was the PD of the station at the time ... and I looked up to him. He probably wouldn't be able to remember me, but he made a tremendous impact on my radio career.

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

I was working in a pompous boutique while going to college on the path towards a biology degree -- and then I realized I hated it! I accidentally ran in to the PD of the station of which I used to work at, and asked him if he knew where one of the guys I used to work with was. He asked me who I was and asked me to come in the next day for an interview. And that was all she wrote! That couldn't have been an accident right?

3) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?

Yes! I wish I could write the imaging for my station like I hear it in my head.

4) What format does not exist that should? Would it work?

Punk, Ska, Reggae. Probably not, but it would be fun as hell to listen to

5) How do you market your radio station?

We are out at the local bar/venue EVERY Friday night for our local band showcase.

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

I would honestly want to add a Promotions Director! It is unbelievable stressful and difficult to manage being the Promotions Director for all six of the stations in our building, as well as program the station and pull an afternoon-drive shift. I know we as an industry are wearing MANY hats, but I would like to hang up one of my hats.

7) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?

Know your limits and seek to surpass them.

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

I was hoping no one would bring this up, but if we must ... I was working the overnight shift once upon a time; I went to take a smoke break and I locked myself out of the station building at about 2a. This was back in the days when you had to cue up your own music. I had to go to a pay phone to call someone to open the building. All and all, 45 minutes of dead air and NO smokes!

9) Please describe the best or worst promotion you've ever been part of?

We had a great idea and no follow-through with our Calendar-Grams one year. We had the plan for our local Calendar girls to go to the work places of our listeners with calendars and free concert tickets! Seemed like a great idea, right? Well all accept the fact that NONE of our Calendar girls would ever show up!! That kinda made the whole promotion suck.

10) How do you keep tabs on the competition? When your competition attacks you on the air, how do you react?

I listen to them on my way to work and on my way home ... and I check their website on a regular basis. I prefer to cause them to react.

Favorite artist you have met?

Jonathan Davis of Korn

What gets you upset at work and how do you channel your anger?

Goosfraba.

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?

Lady Gaga. I would just love to see the outfits she comes up with using coconuts, palm leaves, and so on.

You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have five CDs with you. What are they?

System of a Down - Toxicity, Shinedown - Sound of Madness, Nirvana - Nevermind, Korn - Life is Peachy, Classical Masters

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

Coconut M&Ms ... they are amazing