10 Questions with ... Nasby

NAME:Nasby TITLE:PD/MD STATION:WPFM MARKET:Panama City, FL OWNER:Double O

Please outline your radio career so far:

KYSR/Los Angeles: intern/board op
KYOR-KCLB-KDGL/Palm Springs: mornings, nights, APD and production
WFKS/Jacksonville: PT/swing
WPFM Panama City: PD/MD

1. How would you describe your first radio gig?

I grew up in Los Angeles and when I had to get an internship for college, I went to Star 98.7, the home of "Seacrest for the Ride." It was there that I met the most influential people to kick off the career: John Ivey, Skip Kelly, Lara Scott and Buckhead.

I can remember my first day at the radio station walking into the studio. It was like a light switch, seeing tons of buttons, a microphone and electronic toys! Instantly "radio" was going to be my career. Since I started in market #2, it was intimidating to be around amazing talent. Skip gave me the encouragement to get in the production room and do fake shows from midnight until sometimes 6a. It has to start somewhere, and in only seven months I got my first gig in Palm Springs, doing a morning show. It was a Friday night at 1am, and I was in the production room practicing. Skip came in and said, "Hey, this is it! The next time you are behind the mic, it's for real!" It's one of the biggest feelings of accomplishment I have ever felt.

2. How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?

For being such a small market, it feels mid-sized. Without a doubt , we have the most beautiful beaches in the country. The signal extends from Panama City to Ft. Walton, Dothan AL, Tallahassee and parts of Georgia. Getting winners from other markets calling in is a great sign!

3. What is your favorite part of the job?

Most of all, it's winning. Who doesn't like to win? But in all fairness, the enjoyment of being a program director is painting the picture for your listeners and giving your radio station that "coolness factor"... giving your voice guy the inflections you want, writing scripts, and coming up with innovative ways to make the radio station sound unique.

Your listeners should feel cool and part of the crew listening to you. I have enjoyed creating a major-market sound out of such a small market. Check out the composite: www.skipk.com/Audio/WPFM.mp3.

4. Could you give us a little insight into your on air staff?

I was fortunate to walk into such a small market and have all the tools I needed to win. We have Kidd Kraddick In the Morning. After making minor changes in the flow, he became the highest cumeing show in Panama City in my first 90 days. Tori Shay does middays. She has been around great talent in her radio journey. She is that cute woman on the air you want to get to know just by listening to her.

Then there is LL at night, the strongest personality we have. For her first gig, she has blossomed into a fantastic jock. It helps to have a hot chick on at night. Yung Joc, Baby Boy, and Lil' Jon all loved her. We have the footage! She can't go to Club LaVela on Teen Night and not get mobbed. LL will have a lot to be proud of when the numbers come out this month.

Eric Chaney is my voice guy, and I consider him as part of my on-air staff. I might have been a pain in the beginning, but he worked to give me the sound I was looking for, and it sounds awesome! I couldn't be more proud.

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

Without a doubt it would be Mack, formerly from WKSC Chicago. I was fortunate enough to work with him at WFKS Jacksonville. Going to his show was like getting free tickets to the Improv. He has this ability to not only make you laugh, but he sets up his bits like you are in the room with him, and you feel involved in the show as a listener. You feel cool just by listening to him. In the clubs, Mack held down the crowd like I have never seen. Rock star material as a night jock. Whoever gets to work with him next is fortunate.

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

It was KROQ Los Angeles, during the days of Duran Duran, Sting, Porno for Pyros, and Jimmy Kimmel on Kevin and Bean!

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

My 8th grade year was a life-turning experience. I switched schools, where I was one of three white kids in my class. I learned how to breakdance and moonwalk during lunch. Hearing "Don't Stop the Rock" or "Look Out Weekend" will always strike a special chord. For my 8th grade graduation dinner for the parents, I gave a special performance, lip-syncing Michael Jackson's "Will You Be There." It threw my parents into shock, but it was at that moment that I knew that I wanted to entertain for a living.

8. Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?

Music, playing guitar and drums. I don't play the guitar fabulously, but I know all the lady love songs well enough to make that first impression if you know what I mean. I played drums in my college band, Tacet. We recorded our first album, "Sucking All The Way To The Bank" last summer in Jacksonville. You can hear the trax at www.skipk.com/tacet.

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

I have a huge library of music in my iTunes. I get flown back and forth from between Florida and California to DJ weddings when I can get away from the station for a weekend. I love it all, but I mostly listen to punk rock, Blink 182, Reel Big Fish, Homegrown, Less Than Jake and Angels and Airwaves. Put the headphones on and jam on drums.

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

On my first day interning at Star 98.7, Lara Scott told me this, "Never stop learning; there is always more to learn, and the moment you feel you know it all, it's over." In five years, I went from intern to Program Director. I am excited every day I go into work, and the radio station gets better and better daily. Kevin Weatherly has a framed sign on his wall in his office that says, "It CAN be done." Live by that, and anything can happen.

BONUS: What's the best sweeper/liner you've ever heard?

"Always tight, never sloppy." Is it a good rejoinder for a Top 40 female-appeal radio station? Probably not, but it's still pretty funny. Great for Rock, though!