10 Questions with ... Priestly

NAME:Priestly TITLE:Music Director STATION:XM's 20 on 20 and Hitlist MARKET:The U.S. ... but really the WORLD! OWNER:XM Satellite Radio

Please outline your radio career so far:

WERQ (92Q)/Baltimore; WPLJ/New York; WWMX (Mix 106.5)/Baltimore; WOCT (104.3 The Colt)/Baltimore; WYCR/York, PA; WXYV/B102.7/Baltimore; WHTZ (Z100)/New York; XM Satellite Radio: 90's on 9, XM's Hitlist (Ch.30) and now heard on 20 on 20!

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

Well, my first "paid" on-air gig was 98YCR in York, PA. I had done college radio at Towson State (now Towson University), but that was really just my entrance into radio, although the tight formatics of 89.7 The Breeze certainly helped me to get ready for the corporate world!! Any way, the first "real" on-air gig was 98YCR in York, PA! You had to drive down this broken-down, one-lane-in one-lane-out road, over train tracks through corn fields, to a house (that they called a building) where the owner lived upstairs! It's there where I did overnights. The show, "The All Night Party Patrol-98 Power Hits in A Row and NO Commercials," as Bryan Knight ... we're talking three old-school Denon machines (usually only two worked), three cart machines, a reel-to-reel machine to edit calls, and if you wanna know what the board was, you'll have to ask my boy Jason Kidd (he knows everything, that's actually where he and I met, we now work at XM together).\

Anyway, the place reeked of cigarettes from my PD Davey Crocket and APD Johnny Quest, two people who were awesome to me, thank you! I would turn the music up in the studio to really feel the segs, but unfortunately so did the owner who lived upstairs from the studio, Mrs. Behr, who would come down and ask me to lower the music! And if it wasn't to lower the music, she'd come down and ask me to give her a wake-up call at 3:30a, so she could catch her bus ride to AC!

I also remember having to fire up the AM transmitter every Sunday morning around 4:30am, even a lil' green got smoked out back of the studio -- now that was radio back in the mid '90s! All the while I was a full time student at Towson and doing parttime promotions at Mix 106.5 in B-more -- I was the Cash Crab!!!! Looking back, that was what radio was really about -- breaking your ass and loving every second of it!! Man, there were so many times driving home at 6am that I nearly fell asleep on the drive back to Towson -- 83 south is a boring ass road! That's where I really caught the bug -- my first "fan mail" (actual mail that came in the mail, and, yes, I still have them all)! My first autograph was signed up there (they probably have thrown that away), my first stalkers and late-night callers .... Damn, I can smell that studio now, it was AWESOME!

2) What led you to a career in radio?

My insecurity. Growing up I knew I always wanted to be "famous" but growing up I was so shy. Quest from 98YCR always said I needed to get into TV, but in radio I could hide behind the mic, I could be me, but no one really knew who I was! This was before the Internet really took off, and jocks pics were not all over the place. I still would love to get into acting, but I really think VO would be the best. I'd love to be a voice in cartoons; a major goal would be voicing a Disney feature! Actually if it wasn't for AJ Hammer with CNN Headline news, I probably wouldn't be writing this today. I was a travel camp counselor for Merrick Woods and on a trip into Chinatown in NYC (btw, born and raised in NY on LI) we went to the World Trade Center.

It was there on the pavilion I saw Hammer was hosting a lunchtime concert series for PLJ. I was with the kids and saying, "That's what I wanna be doing with my life." If it wasn't for those kids forcing me to introduce myself to AJ, I'm not sure where I'd be now. Hammer said, "Call tonight while I'm on the air, and we'll chat." Later that night, with a very shaky hand, I called PLJ's request lines, and Hammer, a man of his word, had informed his producer George I'd be calling. George put me right through. AJ was -- and still to this day is -- the best. He talked openly and honestly about what I needed to do if really wanted to reach the stars. I was invited up to check out the PLJ studios at 2 Penn Plaza, right above MSG, and that was it -- I knew where I wanted to be!

3) What is your favorite part of the job?

By far it's "shaking hands and kissing babies," being an ambassador for the station and the community. It's the one thing I just don't get to do anymore working for XM. It's one thing to be on the mic, but it's a whole different high when you can see, feel and hear the audience. Knowing that the people you do this for LOVE IT! Man, being on stage in front of thousands of people at a concert, or just 50 people at a van hit, that's the best part of the gig. I would say it brings radio full circle. Radio is about music, yes, but it's also about people. The fans who listen, the artists who make the music -- when you can connect the two, magic happens! It's incredible!

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

Maybe you'd be surprised to hear ... I don't own an iPod!!! My wife does, and at times I'll check it out, but my source for MP3 is my trustee Sony PSP. I love that thing. Not only do I get to load it up with music but I got video on it, pics of my family and friends, I can search the net and check e-mail, plus I get to play my vids! Lumines 2 is currently in the UMD drive. Gotta tell you, I love gaming!

So you wanted to know, though, what trax do I have on it that may surprise you. Let's see, it's right here ... WOW ... believe it or not, it's nothing but Bob Marley! I may live in the world of Rihanna, Justin, all those American Idol artists, 30 Seconds to Mars, but my personal faves when I get to listen to music on my own time are Pink Floyd, The Eagles, Jewel, Marley, and my all-time favorite, The Dave Matthews Band! Plus, MP3 quality just don't do it for me, it's all about the DTS/DVD audio 5.1. Why listen to music when you can experience it!

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

I'm really not a radio guy. I got into radio because I love music -- not radio, sorry! I used to sing in chorus when I was in H.S. I even made it to "all-state" and was offered money toward college to sing, but I'm just no JT! So this was the next best thing. I love hanging out with the artists, hearing their stories and connecting them to the fans. I'm the bridge. No wonder why it feels like people are always walking all over me!!!

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

This is easy -- Z100 NY! It's the station that I was raised on! It is the top of the mountain. It was the days when Scott Shannon was programming it and hosting the Z-Morning Zoo! Don't get me wrong, I love Elvis Duran and the Zoo -- those are my boys! Working with them has been an unforgettable experience, and they are AMAZING! But I'm talking when I was growing up with Mr. Leonard and that crazy-ass high-pitched voice ... Kid Kelly was lighting up NY ... they were broadcasting "From The T-t-t-t-t-top of the Gorilla Building"! I even remember the giant inflatable gorilla! I can remember being a kid and they were broadcasting live from Jones Beach and "Power 95" (WPLJ) was, like, 20 feet from the Z, each doing remotes. I gotta tell you, it's that inflatable that sticks in my mind though! That was a great radio battle in the mid-'80s! So much for consolidation!

7) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?

Life! I love going out with friends, seeing family. I do love just veggin' out, playing video games. Right now it's all about the Xbox360, but I do have the PS2 slim also hooked up in the living room and my original one in the bedroom! I know, "What, no PS3?" Actually, with my first baby DJ on the way, due at the end of June, and having just bought my first place, unfortunately I ain't got a pot to piss in right now! Damn, growing up SUCKS! I also LOVE watching movies and 24! Jack's the man! Do NOT bother me Monday nights from 9-10pm! Oh yeah, everything needs to be heard in surround sound too!

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

Ask for forgiveness, not for permission. It's kinda scary to do at first, but when you get over that initial fear, it's what really rockets you ahead. Listen, I'm not saying be stupid, I'm saying be smart! But I find when you ask to do something, management's knee-jerk response is usually no. So go for it, especially if you believe it's a genuinely good idea. I gotta say working here at XM with Mike Abrams over the years has proven this theory wrong for me, but he is a true diamond in the ruff! He's a guy who's like, HELL YEAH! Let's try it! C'mon, it's freakin' radio, not brain surgery! No one's dying here, unless you're doing something really stupid! If that's the case, please, like I said, be smart! (A particular water drinking stunt comes to mind.) Mike and I programmed a couple of channels together here at XM and did some incredible shows that would never have been green-lit in terrestrial, but let me tell you, it's the stuff people remember, talk about and even pay $13 bucks a month for and keep re-upping! Have fun, its radio!

9) What advice would you give people new to the business?

The advice my Mom and Dad gave me when I told them I was going to do this in college. "Be prepared -- it's a whore's business." It is! You gotta be willing to do the crappiest of jobs for little to more often than not no money. Your gonna file things in the office first. Wash the station vehicles. Clean out the prize closet, again and again and again! Hopefully you'll become a promotion assistant and get to help with the jocks when they go out on gigs (although those appearances nowadays seem to be few and far between). Then and only then, if you prove yourself to the Promotion Director, the PD/MD, the jocks, maybe, just maybe you'll get a chance to answer phones for one of the shows -- if they don't import VTs! It's tough, I'm not gonna lie, but when you make it, it's the most satisfying feeling in the world.

I always said I didn't want to work for a living, I wanted to play for a living. I was never the suit-and-tie guy. But when you make it, and you will if you want it, there are very few things more satisfying!

AJ Hammer said, "As long as you can look in the mirror and respect who you see, then you're doing alright." He's right. Stay true to yourself and you'll make it in life!

10) What is the current state of the radio "talent pool"?

Why call it a "talent pool"? I'd call it a "talent puddle"! All this "corporate radio" cutting corners and not hiring local talent, importing "Voice Trackers" who aren't even getting paid well to do it! There is no pool -- the watering hole is dried up. I was one of the lucky ones. I got into a "Mom and Pop." Does that term even exist anymore? I'm not even sure if kids today are intrigued by radio anymore. Thanks to the "cutting" of corners, jocks aren't local and really don't relate to the market in ways that they used to. The tight programming forces people to explore other ways to discover music, which in turn drives them away from the radio. When they do decide to punch in, all they hear are freaking commercials, 'cause what's more important the music or the money? If you said the music, I'd say you're right. Unfortunately, though, you're sooo wrong!

Plus when you look at the job listings, they're always looking for five years' experience or something of that nature. How the hell is someone supposed to get experience if FM isn't hiring from the local market? It's an evil Catch 22 that's really catching up with us right now! I only hope what we're doing in satellite radio will inspire the youth to refind the magic that is radio. Plus, who would want to work in radio now anyway? With all the FCC bull-sh!@? See what I mean? Who wants Big Brother constantly looking over their shoulder? And when you do cross the line, every single major company is so fast to throw you under the bus or threaten you with paying the billion-dollar fines. Can you blame em?

BONUS: Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?

The Dave Matthews Band. I did an eight-hour special for XM on the guys and never even met them. I hear they LOVED the special! Lee Abrams apparently got a personal thank-you note! I did the work! I loved those guys since the early '90s when I was a freshman in college. I'm just a true fan of the band. I have been to over 10 shows, and all of my tix were bought either through Ticketmaster or the fan-club site The Warehouse. I have all their albums and have tried my hardest to convince my PDs through the years that we need to play 'em, and I'm saying on Top 40! Go to the shows -- it's all young hot kids, having the best time ever. Unfortunately most of the stuffy old boys just don't get it! But I do! If I did meet them I'd be freakin' out! But I could at least tell them thank you. Thank you for all the awesome music and staying true to yourselves and not caving into the business of the business! They are true leaders!