10 Questions with ... Hunter Quinn

NAME:Hunter Quinn TITLE:APD/Afternoons STATION:WHOT (Hot 101) MARKET:Youngstown, OH OWNER:Cumulus Media

Please outline your radio career so far:

WXSS/Milwaukee
WGTZ/Dayton
WZEE/WMAD/Madison
WKFS-WVMX/Cincinnati
...plus a couple of others.

1 How would you describe your first radio gig?

My first paid gig came like so many others'. I begged my way into board-opping "Open House Party" and overnights at WGTZ in Dayton during college (GO FLYERS!).

2 What led you to a career in radio?

Kiss in Milwaukee visited my school just after they signed on. I thought the night guy Kraig Karson and promotions director Rachael Frydman had the coolest jobs. A week later I asked for an internship.

3 How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?

Radio in Youngstown reflects the attitude of this market. It's an older market where people have listened to the same stations for decades. It's a tough town with a lot of heart.

4 What is your favorite part of the job?

What isn't great about this job? Talking to people, setting up promotions that change people's lives, hanging out with celebrities and getting treated like one. Plus, waking up at 10am doesn't suck either.

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

There are quite a few actually. I have a lot of techno for running, plus some steel drum band stuff that's really cool.

6 Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?

Listening to Kane and Kraig Karson (WXSS) and the Bert Show (WWWQ) makes me want to do a better show. They never throw away breaks, and they connect with their audience through great content.

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

I grew up outside of Milwaukee, and back in the early '90s I listened to Hot 102 when WLUM was Top 40. When it flipped, I switched to WZEE in Madison, a huge heritage station that I later had the privilege of working at.

8 Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?

Like a lot of radio people, I love playing poker. I need a gig in Vegas baby!

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

I try to get away from Top 40. Lots of Alternative, plus I really like singer/songwriter stuff.

10 What advice you would give people new to the business?

You gotta want it. Too many kids come in expecting to be given airshifts or remotes. Breaking through takes a lot of time and even more effort.

For someone vacationing in your market, what one thing would you say they "must see"?

Ha ha, vacation in Youngstown?!?! Well, if you have to, hang out in Millcreek Park, one of the nicest parks I've been to.