10 Questions with ... Chris Rollins

NAME:Chris Rollins POSITION:Mornings, The PST Wake-Up Crew STATION:WPST 94.5 MARKET:Trenton/Philadelphia OWNER:Nassau Broadcasting Partners

Please outline your radio career so far:

When I was in college, I was required to do an internship. All of my friends were getting these boring, desk jobs, where they had to dress up ... and I just wasn't into that! So, I starting thinking about where I could get a fun internship ... and a radio station popped into my mind. After being there for awhile, I realized how cool it all was! The PD at the time, Michelle Stevens, asked me to fill in as morning show co-host while they found a new one, and being right out of college, I thought, "How crazy is this?" I said "yes" right away, and a few months later she offered me the job! Can you believe I turned her down at first because of the early hours? (I was used to sleeping late in college.) I remember a friend pulling me into the conference room, and saying, "Are you crazy? You have to take this job ... do you realize how many people want this job?!" At the time I didn't, but quickly realized -- and still do realize -- how lucky I am to have such a great job!

1) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?

Yes, my Entertainment Buzzes air on some of our New England stations now, which requires some extra prep work at night, but I don't mind. I think it's kind of cool that I can be heard in some different states! I'm doing a lot more with our Loyal Listener Club, e-mail updates, blogging, etc. I like giving them the inside scoop! I'm writing spots for my testimonials. I like it to sound like me, obviously. But, the biggest hat I'm wearing right now is my Mommy hat ... Brady's 3!

2) What is your favorite part of the job?

The Hollywood gossip stuff ... it's addicting! I've created some really cool bridal and baby shower games from it ... where the stars honeymooned, and which celeb kid belongs to which mommy!

3) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?

My friends roll their eyes ... it's ABBA! Plus, the "Grease" soundtrack, Barry Manilow's "Mandy" (makes me cry!), and "Sunshine Day" from the Brady Bunch.

4) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?

I'm really not a morning person!

5) Could you give us a little insight into your on air staff?

We're not "Radio People." It's hard to explain ... some radio people you can pick out of a crowd ... not us. We all love our jobs and are very committed to them. Everything I do, I wonder how I can relate it to the show. But we're just normal people who gush over their kids, have trouble finding a date, or love playing videogames! We've all known each other for a long time, so I'd like to believe we all care about each other, and want to see each other succeed. When you have as great of a boss as we do, you want to do well for him, so we all try really hard.

6) If you could add one full-time position to your budget right now, what would it be?

A breakfast chef! We're always saying that would really help our creativity! HA HA! You know, an omelette station, etc. I'm sick of eating peanut butter crackers for breakfast! I guess a full-time phone screener, if we're being serious.

7) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

Believe it or not, my own! I grew up listening to 'PST! When I was in college, I remember listening to Eddie Davis -- and then he was my first partner!

8) Looking back, which years hold the best musical memories for you and who were your favorite acts at that time?

I guess the late '80s/early '90s, when I was in high school and college, every song reminded me of a party I went to, or summer nights, or guys I dated, or breakups, or friends ... fun stuff! I liked a little bit of everything.

9) What music do you listen to when you're not working?

A little bit of everything. I like some of our new stuff, like Pink & Secondhand Serenade, but I also love Billy Joel, Elton John, Barry Manilow, Bon Jovi ... I'm all over the place.

10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

To be myself. I've had people over the years tell me, "You should be this or that." I am who I am, I not someone else on the air, and people can sense that. I don't think people like "fake." You can pick that out in a minute!

What's the biggest gaffe you've made on-air?

When giving out the contest line numbers, I started giving out my home phone number. Thank God, I didn't get all the way through it!