10 Questions with ... Otis Day

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

1990/91 Intern at WZEE Z104 Madison
1992-1995 KKRX Lawton, OK On air through multiple format and management flips. Left to do mornings across town at KZCD Z-94 with Ken Saunders.
1997-present WIXX Green Bay/Appleton/Oshkosh, WI

1. How would you describe your first radio gig?

My mass media teacher at Madison West High school in 1990, Mary Moen, said, ‘If you don’t go apply to be an intern at Z104 I’ll fail you.’ So I did. I hung out in the studio with then night superstar Johnny Danger (now mornings at WJJO Madison) and learned that this was something I needed to do! Watching him splice up reel-to-reel calls so fast and messing with all the callers seemed like my kind of job. Eventually I started to dress up in their costume character mascot and did parades and bar appearances.

2. What led you to a career in radio?

My mom always said I need to do something in public. She thought acting or something involving public speaking. I knew I had a knack for it. When other kids were nervous giving presentations, I was excited for them. I used to record commercials and jingles off Z104 onto cassette so when I’d pretend to be on the radio when I was 12 I could play spot breaks. It was just kind of part of my childhood. I used to call Danger when he was on (before I was an intern) and he’d constantly run my calls on air.

3. Are things back to “normal” as far as staff being back in the building and studios these days?

The on air staff never went home during the entire shutdown. We broadcast from the studio every day. Sales was home for a few months but they came back in end of May 2020. We’ve been running full steam the entire time while masking, distancing, wiping down, avoiding in person meetings, etc. If you felt sick you were to stay home and get tested. We had a few cases in the fall of 2020 (including myself) but thankfully, everyone here came out okay.

4. What did you learn about yourself as a broadcaster navigating the pandemic?

That serving in the public interest, convenience, and necessity is truly what live/local radio is all about. I learned how to give information and calm people down while being entertaining. I learned that that humor really is some of the best medicine. Besides penicillin. That stuff is pretty good too.

5. You’re on the air hosting middays every day. Why is it important for you to continue to crack the mic on a daily basis?

WIXX is live all day every day and the listeners know it. We’re a full-service station, and cracking the mic is important for so many reasons. Whether it’s to entertain them, make them the star, or pass along severe weather or traffic, we’re a part of their day. The one word we hear the most from listeners about us is ‘fun.’ That’s great. Anybody can play the same songs. It’s what’s between them that sets us apart. Radio has lost that in a lot of markets. I think it’s time to bring it back. You’ll never be first on new music. Play hits and entertain. Immerse yourself in the community. Local. Live. It’s what radio is supposed to be. I’m thankful we still get to do it that way.

6. Which social media platforms are working best for you and the staff these days?

As we skew a tad older than traditional Top 40’s we find Facebook and Instagram are the big ones. Snapchat is something a lot of adults in our area do too. They’ll send us their bonfire pics on a Friday night and vote for Top 9 songs that way too.

7. “Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community? Have you been getting back out there yet?

We’ve been out a TON since April. From the last 2 weeks in May till July 4th we’ve been out at more than 40 different events and remotes. We are heavily involved with the Packers so we get to host almost all of their events. Our night guy, Jayson Slade, is the game day announcer in the stadium hosting all of the contests and features during a Packer game. We MC all their Thursday night concerts and Saturday night concerts in the summer (they do these in the Titletown district just West of the stadium).

8. Have we heard The Song Of Summer, 2021 yet? If so, what is it?

Nationally? I don’t know. I have trouble picking national hits. What works in most of the country doesn’t always work here.

But for WIXX I can tell you the song of the summer has been on our station for a few months. It’s Elle King and Miranda Lambert “Drunk (And I don’t Wanna Go Home.)” Why the nation hasn’t embraced this I don’t understand. It’s got HUGE weekly test scores in every demo. Some of the biggest numbers I’ve ever seen. I think there’s a case to make for Tai Verdes “A-O-K” for WIXX, and potentially Weezer/AJR “All My Favorite Songs.” I’m guessing on that one as we just put it in, but I have a good feeling about that one.

9. What were your favorite stations growing up as a kid? Jock(s)?

For me it was WZEE Z104 Madison. I also LOVED Sly in the morning on WIBA before it became an AM talk show. When he was ‘shock jockin’ on FM and I LOVED it. I remember when he had bus boards all over town that said, “We apologize for what Sly said this morning” and then Z104 had ones for Johnny Danger at night that said, “We apologize for what Johnny Danger did last night.” It was a great time to listen to radio.

10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

I stole my sense of humor from my Uncle Tim. With a little bit of David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld, and Sam Kinison mixed in. My mass media teacher Mary Moen was a huge influence on me. My mom always supported and encouraged me. She told me not to come home from school until I tried out for the play in 9th grade. I grew up listening to Johnathan Little, Fletcher Keys, Mad Dog Hudson, J.D. Barbar, Judy Newman, and Ralph Cohen at Z in Madison. They were huge influences on me. And of course in high school….Johnny Danger for the win.

With Lambeau Field at your disposal and an unlimited budget, which 3-5 acts would you pull together for a WIXX 101 welcome back concert?

AJR, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, and Ed Sheeran.