-
10 Questions with ... Fenway
September 20, 2022
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I've been in radio since 2004. I started as an intern and would eventually get hired on part-time in promotions and programming at WFBC/Greenville, SC. I continued to climb the ladder to eventually become the full-time overnight guy. This led to full-time Nights and other programming opportunities. In 2014 I accepted an MD position at WWST in Knoxville, TN, where I married my wife. After two wonderful years in the Smokies I took advantage of an APD opportunity for WHHD in Augusta, GA where I now serve as Program Director for this station and WCHZ.
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
I got to start my radio journey in my hometown of Greenville, SC working for heritage Top 40/CHR WFBC. I started as an intern, worked my way into becoming part-time in Promotions and Programming, and eventually became full-time overnights which then lead to full-time Nights.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
Once I was in, the excitement of executing events and being on-air immediately got into my blood. I was lucky to work with and learn from a handful of reputable Program Directors and air talent. Their guidance helped shape my own concepts and philosophy of what it means to be a Program Director.
3. You've been in the PD chair for close to 4 years now. When did you realize that you wanted to program and when did you realize that that goal was attainable? Do you get to go over and play a round or two at Augusta National?
I knew I wanted to program when I was in Knoxville, TN at WWST. There were conversations I was having with multiple PDs and APDs that I had either worked with in the past or was currently working with, and we would discuss general strategies and ideas. I was able to stay in those conversations and go into them in great length. That's when I realized that I was ready to program. When the APD position here in Augusta opened, I reached out and was very fortunate to be able to take that next step towards becoming a Program Director.
As much as I wish you could just reserve a tee time, I have gotten to walk the grounds on a couple of Masters Sundays. It is a spectacle like nothing else in sports and if you are ever lucky enough to get passes, you must take advantage of the opportunity.
4. You rock the mic every afternoon. What do you still love about closing that studio door every day and doing your thing?
The silence from everything. It's my time to do the thing that has given me a rush since I was 19 years-old whether it's an eight second talk break or a 30 second talk break. Every time I turn the mic on and up it feels like my first air shift.
5. Who would be a 'dream guest" to have come by and plug in across from you?
It's a true toss-up between Jimmy Fallon and Will Arnett.
6. What did you learn about yourself as a programmer and personality navigating the pandemic?
Patience was the biggest thing I learned. My entire radio career has been filled with quarterly events. I'm always thinking about the next promotion or something as little as adding an intro to a song. Above all else though, I was grateful to be in the position I was in. A lot of good radio people were furloughed or laid off during this time.
7. In your opinion, what was the 'Song of Summer 2022'?
Lizzo – "About Damn Time"
8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Be relatable and conversational to the listeners.
9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
B93.7 (WFBC) and The Hawk and Tom Morning Show.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
I would consider two of my former PDs, Chase Murphy and Some Guy Named Tias as mentors. The different concepts I learned from them helped me with my own programming vision which is now a template I am successful with and hope to continue to use for years to come.
Bonus Questions
With the James Brown Arena at your disposal and an unlimited budget, which 5-6 acts would you pull together for a Fall listener bash?
Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Post Malone, Beyonce, Harry Styles, and Lizzo
-
-