10 Questions with ... Skywalker

NAME:Skywalker TITLE:APD/afternoons STATION:WSPK/K104.7 MARKET:Poughkeepsie, NY OWNER:Pamal

Please outline your radio career so far:

1997-1999 -- WBLI/Long Island, weekends/swing
1999-2000 -- WQGN/New London, CT, nights
2004-2005 -- WQSX/Boston, weekends/swing
2000-present -- WSPK/Poughkeepsie, NY, APD/afternoons
Also currently voicetracking for WWRX/New London, CT (swing), and WBPM/Kingston, NY (middays as J.J. Carter)

1) You operate in the shadow of a major market and compete with a ton of signals, yet you consistently kick ass there! What are the key ingredients to K104's long-term success?

We are programmed strictly for the Hudson Valley. There is a certain "flavor" here that is not necessarily the same as Z100 and other stations in our listening area as well. Also contributing to our success is being blessed with a 50,000 watt signal. The Hudson Valley has many 3,000 watt stations. There are only a few "big boys" in town and luckily we are one of them. We embrace our locale. Local wins.

2) What cool promotions have you done recently?

Last book we had a great time with our Gucci Purse giveaway. We made about 30 women very happen! It was very lifestyle orientated and had never been done in this market. Plus we held the finale in the local mall and created quite the scene. It paid off big and I think contributed to one of our strongest books ever.

3) You and your staff spend a lot of time on the streets. Approximately how many appearances/remotes/club nights is the station doing in the average week?

Wow ... we do call the amount of gigs we do "our best kept secret." We are constantly on the street in many levels including retail, clubs and community events. On average, I would say that we make 5-8 appearances a week. We have had those 13-in-a-weekend occasions as well. I must give props to our promotions director and head of the "Fun and Games" department "Stevie V." He keeps us looking good and out on the street and is CRUCIAL to the success we have. He is the best and no you can't steal him.

4) Chris Marino joined K104 for mornings last year. What has he brought to the table?

I don't think there is enough room for me to answer. Imagine having a morning show guy who has as much a programming mind as he does a creative mind. He has such a tremendous work ethic and killer résumé to draw experience from. I think another thing that has made our mornings sound so great is we have an ensemble type show (4 people- Chris, Tory Grace, Bill Beale and Ray Love). Chris' talent coaching abilities with the other members of the morning show have taken our sound to the next level. I used to listen to him on Z100 and was a big fan. I am bigger fan now working with him.

5) Run down the rest of your airstaff for us.

Middays is our fearless leader Scotty Mac. Easily the greatest boss and mentor a person can have (I've been here for almost 7 years which is like 70 in radio years). One of the main reasons I've stuck around so long is the sheer fun Scotty and I have working together as a team. He is humble and doesn't love the public praise but it's all true.

PM Drive is me... Skywalker, hosting a music-intensive show with my sense or humor. I'm not a huge fan of stopping down the music for topics and what-not in the afternoon. I insert my personality, have a few features and keep the music going. Doing a Cubby-esque show was always my goal. Be "witty" over a song intro, and keep the forward motion moving.

Nights... D. Knight. He just filled our night vacancy and has already made an impact in the market. He was one of our part time jocks and his natural talent and gift for this profession didn't go unnoticed. The best is yet to come. His energy and passion is unmatched.

Overnights and weekends are held down by a loyal part time staff. Yes we are live 24/7 and voicetracking is NOT a part of the equation here. We pride ourselves on being a rare breeding ground these days for future jocks.

6) What have been your hottest songs so far this year?

All things Justin Timberlake. "Promiscuous" as well. I am so glad Nelly Furtado is doing well. I remember her from her "I'm Like A Bird" days, and she is a really fun person to interview.

7) What song surprised you by becoming a hit, even though you didn't hear it?

I'm not sure it was a bona-fide hit, but "chicken noodle soup" just bothers me. I really need to come up with some random phrase, market it, put a beat behind it and make some money. I just would stand in the club when that song came on and say HUH?????????

8) Tell us about this year's K-Fest.

I would have to say our "coolest" promotion is our K-FEST summer concerts. We are up to #13 this year, and the line-up competes with any other station's show. Akon, Gym Class Heroes, Omarion, Paula Deanda and more are part of the show, June 3rd. Each year the talent level increases. We are constantly raising the bar in a time when stations have stopped doing concerts altogether. It is held at Dutchess Stadium a minor league baseball field and is always a good time. Last year was a sell out with over 8,000 people and this year will be no different.

9) You have one of the cooler station websites out there. Tell us about it.

The web can be such an important extension and branding tool for a radio station. Our webmaster is in house and is very creative in helping us relay our message. I think it is user friendly and appealing to the eye. We make sure it remains up to date as we have many online only listeners as well. The net is such a part of people's life these days that you need to be hip in that area.

10) What are your short- and long-term goals?

Short term ... #1 again this book! If the Arbitron gods decide that to be the case.

Long term ... on-air in NYC would be fun, and PD stripes are an eventuality I am sure, should the right situation come along, but my dream gig would be a "format coordinator" as well. I'd like to be the guy who travels for a company to its various properties to troubleshoot, brainstorm etc. I love to network and I love to fix things!

BONUS Question: What's in power rotation on your iPod?

If I said airchecks, would I be a major geek?! Add some BUBLE in there too.