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10 Questions with ... Tamo!
October 23, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- WROX/Norfolk, VA (2004-2008): Promo chick turned Programming Assistant turned Music Director.
- KROX & KGSR/Austin, TX (2008-2010): On-air, Programming Assistant, Marketing Director's bitch
- KCLD/St. Cloud, MN (2010-Present): On-air & Music Director
1) What led you to a career in radio?
I was in college, and needed a way to pay for my drinking and Plan B. Kidding ... sort of.
What started off as a need to get some internship credits, turned into a wild love affair. From the promotions aspect of putting on large-scale events/concerts and hitting the streets engaging listeners, to the programming side of learning there is a rhyme and reason and method to EVERYTHING that is delivered on the air, I became an addict.
2) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?
KCLD prides itself on the "listener first," ALWAYS. Yeah, a lot of stations say that's the case, but you see it and you feel it here. JJ, the PD, does a great job of saying "no" to promotions that don't maximize listener benefit. It keeps the station sounding clean, and our message always clear -- music, entertainment, win small fortunes.
3) What is your favorite part of the job?
Cracking the mic every night at 6p. No matter what kind of day I'm having, I know my listeners are there WITH me. There's a comfort in that. There is no greater feeling than when a listener calls/texts in with "Hey girl," "Hey Tamo," "Okay, so remember how you were saying..." That connection with my audience gives me a huge sense of pride!
4) What is the most challenging part of the job?
Boundaries ... Finding the "line" and riding it without crossing it. Creativity is paramount when you are trying to find a way to discuss what to do when you accidentally pass gas while you're doing the hokey pokey!
5) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
I'm not always drunk. You're welcome.
6) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
Z104 (WNVZ)! I just remember trying to wrap my head around Torture Tuesdays, thinking "Is this even legal?" "Is this really someone's job?" "How do you get into that line of work?" LOL!
I also listened to Boodah Brothers on WOWI, so I could hear my horoscope every morning! Wow, I'm such a chick.
7) Looking back, which years hold the best musical memories for you and who were your favorite acts at that time?
2008 sticks out, because I got to see Rage, NIN and Radiohead play Lollapalooza. I remember watching Rage play Woodstock '99, on MTV with my best friend, talking about how cool it would be to see them one day! She was with me when they played Lolla, so that was up there on The Most Awesome Moments Ever.
8) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
Martha Stewart is my idol (don't even bring up the prison stint. It just gives my homegirl some street cred ... and I'm pretty sure saying "homegirl," just took away all of mine).
Cooking, knitting, gardening ... basically all things domestic! I'm pretty damn good at all of the above too.
9) What music do you listen to when you're not working?
My playlists jump from Thrice to Stevie Nicks to Billie Holiday to Britney to Weezy.
10) What advice you would give people new to the business?
I'd give the same advice that was given to me: Never say no. Don't make excuses, and make time. Board-op, hang banners, answer phones, fetch coffee, and learn as much as possible. Building your skill sets, and getting in as much face time as possible with PDs, jocks, etc. will only help you!
Bonus Questions
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I always thought I'd end up a marine biologist or nutritionist/fitness instructor. Although I've gotta say, calling my mom to explain what she is hearing on-air is about a "friend" and certainly not my real life and giving my dad the wrong website, so that he doesn't listen live is much more fun ;)
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