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10 Questions with ... Bob Patrick
January 8, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- (4/95-12/97) 95.1 WAYV/Atlantic City, NJ
- (12/97-3/01) 92.5 KSYN/Joplin, MO
- (3/01-5/02) 95.1 WAYV/Atlantic City, NJ
- (7/02- present) 92.3 WXLK/Roanoke, VA
1) What led you to a career in radio?
As a kid I did my own "shows" on a tape recorder in my room. One night a DJ in Philly (can't remember who) put me on the air, which got me hooked. That same year, my school took a field trip to Eagle 106. We were sitting in a studio while they were taping a public affairs show, and, for some reason, the host asked me a question. I answered it and heard myself on the air that Sunday morning. I was a star!
2) What are you doing social media-wise?
I'm a Twitter guy. I don't do Facebook. My Twitter account is an extension of me and it's an extremely useful tool. Ultimately, though, the goal is to get people to listen to the radio and Twitter is another way to do that. I am a two-time, two-time "Best Twitter Feed in Roanoke" award winner. (Figured I'd share that nugget.)
3) "Local local local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
We're everywhere we can be as often as we can be there. Remotes, charity events, sporting events, parades, etc. You name it, we're there. Whenever there are weather issues, we're able to work with our sister stations to keep our listeners informed with local information. Local, local, local is how we roll. Aside from our syndicated countdown show and OHP, every DJ on K92 is a local one. No jocks from the other side of the country, which is a huge advantage for us.
4) What is your favorite part of the job?
Making people happy. It's a simple as that. Whether it's a contest winner or someone that has a laugh at my expense on the morning show, it doesn't matter to me. I'm not afraid to act like a total dork on the air and I'll do whatever it takes to make someone smile. That's my job and I enjoy it.
5) What's the coolest promotion you've ever been involved with?
That's easy. We did a Big Brother-type contest in the spring called "Get A Life," which featured six listeners living in an apartment for a week. We had it all wired for sound and video the entire time. The grand prize was the apartment, rent-free, for a year. Cable, Internet and groceries for a year, big-screen TV and more. One person got voted out each day. AMAZING drama. The audience clearly bonded with their favorite house mates, which made it even more fun. Can't wait to do it again,
6) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?
Kajagoogoo. Go ahead and judge. I don't mind.
7) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
I'm addicted to Peeps and Candy Corn. Only traditional Easter Peeps and Halloween Candy Corn. Any other type is unacceptable.
8) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
TIE - Spike Eskin (94 WIP in Philly) and Mike Danger (98.9 The Buzz in Rochester). Those two guys just get it. They get the business and are always making me laugh. We could do a lot of fun things, most of them legal, if we ever combined our efforts. Nothing but respect for them.
9) Looking back, which years hold the best musical memories for you and who were your favorite acts at that time?
Gotta go college radio on this one. JERSEY! Those were the times. Early to mid-'90s. A few of us overhauled the station and played Dance/Club music. Lots of freestyle. Lil' Suzy, Denine, TKA, etc. Whenever I hear those types of songs I can't help but think back to the fun I had working there. Just a bunch of upstarts doing huge business with basically zero support from the administration. Without a doubt, the most fun I've ever had in the business. Wouldn't trade those memories for anything.
10) What advice would you give people new to the business?
Work hard. Leave your ego at the door. Try not to curse on the air. Don't wipe boogers underneath the console. Springing for lunch definitely gets you brownie points with the boss.
Bonus Questions
What's the biggest gaffe you've made on-air?
Without a doubt, giving away the password to our "Cash Chamber." This happened about two months ago. I don't know what the heck I was thinking. I was repeating some incorrect guesses and it just came out. There was nothing I could do about it. After several minutes of beating myself up about it (lots of off-air profanity, too) we just went with it and I owned up to it. Not surprisingly, we had a winner that hour. Still haven't lived it down.
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