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10 Questions with ... Chelsea Castoria
March 31, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Got my start in radio in 2005 at Mississippi State University at 91.1 WMSV. I did various dayparts in my time there and really fell in love with radio. Then after a short break in Memphis, I found myself back in the Starkville/Columbus, MS area with a new job at Cumulus Broadcasting - Golden Triangle doing production and weekends. After a year there I was promoted to middays on the Rock station 99.9 THE FOX, and eventually promoted to APD. My time with them ended after five years of rocking the airwaves. After a year "on the beach" in OKC, I took a job with Q1075 (Flinn Broadcasting) in Memphis, TN doing weekends and working promotions. It was a great year at Flinn and I loved being back home on the airwaves. Then I got this great opportunity with APEX Broadcasting and Q92 on the Emerald Coast doing nights. So now I'm not only a radio personality but also a professional beach bum. Guess you can say life is good! :)
SOCIAL MEDIA:
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
A HOT MESS! It was at 91.1 WMSV, on-campus radio for Mississippi State University. It was a really fun gig that gave me the radio bug. Steve Ellis did a great job mentoring, but he also let me have the freedom to make mistakes and find myself on the air. I got pretty popular on campus. Mostly because I said the cheesiest phrases possible and was living the college life on air! Some of my favorite memories were the pregame tailgate remotes (Hail State!) and my all-time favorite show happened with 91.1, Todd Snider. It was really the first time I felt like I had a calling and I just ran with it.
2) What are you doing social media-wise?
Geez, what am I NOT doing social media-wise? I've recently become a big tweeter! Also I have been learning the ways of Snapchat ... I like to keep it fun there. Social media is the next step in radio. We as jocks have had to break past the boundary of just being in a studio, behind a mic. I love to just be myself on social media -- Chelsea Uncensored. I also LOVE doing fun videos and recently, podcasting!
3) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?
Ugh. I'm so going to get made fun of for this, but One Direction. Only one song though ... and it's because it's freaking catchy and great to run to! (What Makes You Beautiful)
4) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
Karson and Kennedy in Boston on Mix 104.1! I listened to them while they were in Memphis and then got the pleasure of working with them! Those two really embrace the local feel of radio. They do great things for the community and also have a hilarious show! I always love deejays who let you inside their lives and those guys are an open book. Oh, and Salt Mac is so funny on Instagram.
5) Who would be a "dream guest" to have on your show?
DAVE GROHL. If he reads this ... have him call me. Ed Sheeran would be awesome, too. I got a serious fan girl thing for that ginger guitar god.
6) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
93X in Memphis. It was the cool edgy Rocker station. Also, my dad was always jamming Rock 103, Classic Rock hits!
7) Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
Wow. So many awesome and crazy people have been in and out of my radio life. Mentors: Steve Ellis (WMSV) Tom Deelo (Kiss 107) Chris Stryker (99.9 THE FOX).
Honestly, each of them have played such a big part for me in my career that I don't think I can choose a "favorite." They were all really my anchors at different points in my path and I'm the deejay I am today because of that. Thanks guys!
8) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Be true to yourself! As cheesy as it sounds, it's true. Too many people try to mold to the mainstream, but you gotta Taylor Swift that! Make the mainstream mold to you!!
9) What advice you would give people new to the business?
It's a marathon, NOT a sprint. You gotta remember that "paying your dues" is a real thing and necessary for pretty much everyone in the biz. Also, start networking early. It really is all about who you know!
10) What music do you listen to when you're not working?
People at the station call me a hipster. I'm really into The Black Keys, Alt-J, Arctic Monkeys, Avett Brothers, Jack White and seriously this list can go on forever. And a must-listen-to is the Dead Soldiers (Memphis, TN). Also, I am a vinyl lover. :)
Bonus Questions
Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?
Hunter S. Thompson. I mean, who doesn't wanna have a whiskey drink and shoot guns with that man? Radio GOLD!
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