10 Questions – The Best Quotes Of 2020

This week, we look back at 2020 with the best answers to some of our best questions.

Bennett
APD/MD/Afternoons
WTDY/Philadelphia January 21, 2020

Your father (Mike Bennett) is a radio legend in the Hudson Valley. How did having a parent in the business shape your ideas about wanting to crack the mic too?

My father has everything to do with why I'm in this business. I grew up watching him doing things the right way in this industry. He uses his platform for good. He has the biggest heart in the world, which is evident with all the charity work he does. He has a way of being heartfelt and sincere, while also making you laugh. That's a lethal combination and the reason why he's been doing this for over 40 years. I couldn't pick a better role model.

Rashaud Thomas
APD/MD/Afternoons
WBBO/Monmouth-Ocean February 11, 2020

The Jersey Shore is legendary, especially in the summer. What are some of the benefits of being part of a scene like that?

The energy at the Shore during the summer is infectious! So much to do and so many opportunities to interact with our listeners and make new ones. Since businesses in the area thrive during the summer, it keeps us very busy.

Shyler Kraus
PD
WSOY/Decatur February 25, 2020

“Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?

Well, I was born and raised – homegrown if you will – here in Decatur. As I grew up there was always that negative connotation of staying in your hometown but I never felt it. In fact, when it was time for me to pick a college or university, I picked Decatur’s Millikin University; when my father got relocated for work and moved to sunny Florida, I picked Decatur; and when my husband and I took over a local business, we chose to deepen our roots in Decatur. I try to ensure that my station reflects how I feel about my community because Y103 has its own deep roots in the community. I try to talk about things that are going on around town, opportunities to volunteer and give back, as well as maintaining a physical presence through remotes and events that my listeners would enjoy.

Sarah Johnson
Afternoons/Promotions Director
KFFM/Yakima March 3, 2020

During your afternoon show listeners are transitioning from the end of the work/school day to the car to home. How do you make sure that 107.3 KFFM is that all around companion?

Live and local is a major key to building that relationship. I try to be mindful of the time so I'll make sure to give certain types of tickets away during certain hours. I created the after school special that plays around 3:30 p a few times a month where we break down issues that kids and parents are dealing with. I have an expert on and we hit you with tips on-air with full interviews on our website. I know the parents are picking up the kids and that school bus drivers have us on--they have told me that. We have a fantastic internal app we use, listeners sign up to receive texts and they can message me while I'm on the air. It's been super fun training them and building a following because now they can message me if they can't use the phone, send me a photo or even a video of breaking news so they feel included. I've created some staples now like Sassy Sarah's Happy Hour that's sponsored so I try to find a daily story, trivia or random fact about an artist that makes me laugh out loud. That's my gage to know if it's on-air worthy or not. Using social media, live videos and the app for unexpected giveaways lets people know that if you don't tune in, you for sure are going to miss something. Also every week I have a psychic that comes in for about an hour on Wednesdays. It's the perfect mid-week segment and I've had people stop me on the street to let me know how much they love it. It has become appointment listening!

Freddy Mac
Middays/Promotions Director/Imaging Director
WXLK/Roanoke March 10, 2020

What led you to a career in radio?

As a kid, I would record the radio onto a cassette tape from my boombox in my bedroom. I would pretend to be on the radio, repeating everything the jock said. Wherever there was a microphone, you could find me there. I have to admit, I was always the kid that was talking in class. So naturally, my mom said I would have a job where I could talk all day long and not get in trouble for it.

Matt Kelly
PD/Afternoons WVAQ/Morgantown
March 17, 2020

What do you enjoy the most about also doing afternoons at 102 WVAQ?

First of all, the HISTORY that comes with this position. For many years, the ONLY afternoon DJ North Central West Virginia was listening to, was Lacy Neff. He passed away a few years ago, and I never take what I have for granted. He was the PD that gave me my first chance as a part-timer in 2010/2011. I wouldn’t be here without him giving me a shot.

With that being said, afternoons are so fun! I love not only connecting with our core demographic of 20 and 30-year olds, but the kids too! I was a Boy Scout growing up. I worked day camps every summer with kids from first to fifth grades. I love kids, and how curious they are. So, the first half of my show reaches a lot of moms and dads with their kids in the car after school. It’s a blast entertaining them and getting to know them as they call/text in to the show!

I was always the guy wanting to cheer everyone up. I would find a way to lighten the mood and remind people that everything was ok. I think THAT, paired with my love of music, is a winning combo for the ride home on WVAQ!

Krystal “Chica” Montez
Air Talent/Creative Services Dir.
KRUF/Shreveport June 3, 2020

You do wear A LOT of hats in the building? What exactly are all of your duties?

I am the production director, and I do the afternoon show on our Country station, Kiss Country 93.7. Originally that was what I was hired for, but conned my bosses into letting me give mornings a try. So now my daily duties are morning show, production, afternoon show, and 2 blogs a day. It makes for a busy day.

Bob Bellini
General Manager Saga Communications/Milwaukee
June 16, 2020

Not many programmers make it to the VP/GM chair. Was that always a goal?

My FIRST goal was to be on air. When I started out, my goals were oriented to on-air at larger markets and iconic stations. When I was given the opportunity to manage and program, I began to sense a different calling, although my vision was still focused on the programming lane. A few years ago, our GM, Annmarie Topel, promoted me to Operations Manager. It was her guidance and willingness to expand my awareness of every phase of broadcast management that prepared me for this position. It’s not a simple transition. It requires developing muscle memory for the financial metrics that drive our vision and our goals, but it’s thrilling to be pushed out of a comfort zone to develop new skills.

Nikki Brown
PD
WYOY/Jackson October 13, 2020

How has steering the ship during the pandemic made you a better programmer?

Any time that you have to think on your feet you become a better programmer. Reinventing how we deliver entertainment is how we stay relevant. Knowing that we were there to help keep people informed, entertained and getting them through days that were different and scary is what local radio is all about.

Jumpin’ Jeff Walker
President of Afternoon Drive
WKRZ/Wilkes Barre-Scranton October 27, 2020

It’s likely that the grandchildren of some of the people who were listening to you when you started at ‘KRZ in 1980 are listening to you now.  How do you keep what you do fresh every time that you crack the mic?

I literally meet people all the time who proudly approach me to tell me they have listened to me their entire life! Like, I am the only afternoon guy they have ever listened to! Mind blowing! This will sound weird, but when I see someone my age, I think…gee they’re old! Haha Honestly, in my head I’m like 45. Plus I work hard to stay in really good physical shape.