10 Questions with ... Rich Davis

NAME:Rich Davis POSITION:Host of 'The Morning Mash-Up' and 'The Covino & Rich Show' STATION:Sirius Hits 1, MAXIM Radio MARKET:The WORLD! OWNER:Sirius Satellite Radio

Please outline your radio career so far:

WJPZ/Syracuse, Z89 1997-1999
WWHT/Syracuse, 1999-2000
WIOQ/Philly, Q102 2000
WHTZ/New York, 2000-2004
Sirius Satellite, New York 2004-Present

1) What led you to a career in radio?

The need for a good distraction. When I was in Syracuse, my high school sweetheart, who was miles away at another college, dumped me for another dude. One of my buddies was sick of seeing me cry in my beer and dragged my sorry ass to the college radio station with him. I made fun of him, told him he sucked on the air and he challenged me to do it. Thanks, Andy.

2) Tell us about your unique situation/responsibilities at Sirius.

I host two completely different live radio shows on a daily basis. I wake up, grab my ice coffee and get in "Morning Mash-Up" mode. My morning team is like no other out there; just so much fun to be around even at 6am. Stanley T. is the most likeable guy you'll ever meet. Nothing makes him happier than car services to events and reminding me of his game back in the day. Nothing puts me in a better mood than seeing his flat top fade haircut in all the '90s music videos he's been in. ("Motownphilly" and "Summertime").

Ryan Sampson is my best friend in radio, but no longer my best fat friend. Ryan lost about 100 lbs and looks great. -- but also silly because none of his clothes fit him anymore. No one can match his corny punch lines. Nicole is our hot party girl who wishes she was on "The Hills." She also leaves amazing drunk messages on my voicemail (Great for on-air replay).

Then I shift gears, take away my personal censor and get into "Covino and Rich"

mode. I co-host the afternoon show on MAXIM Radio with Steve Covino and pretty much put my personal life out there for all to know. You can hear us cock-block each other on the daily now that were both single. Covino is the most underrated air talent on the radio. Anyone who hasn't heard him ... should. He's got all the tools; he's one of those guys who just knows how to do great radio. He came from K-Rock New York, but never got the true chance he deserved there. I've never worked with someone who shares the same exact vision as I do.

3) What is your favorite part of the job?

The air talents at Sirius are encouraged to be superstars. People like Steve Blatter and Walter Sabo are serious when they talk about this stuff.

I have DAILY meetings for both shows! A far cry from once-a-book aircheck sessions. I've worked with Kid Kelly for years at Z100 and at Sirius, and not only is he my radio daddy ... he's my life coach. He's always led me in the right direction, except for the time he told me to get a vasectomy. His hair continues to amaze me on a daily basis. Rob Cross heads up the MAXIM channel and challenges me every day because he's so damn smart. I hate that every good idea I have, he follows with, "Wouldn't it be better if you did this way" ... and he's always right.

It's also cool to roam the halls and see people like Cousin Brucie, Howard Stern, Martha Stewart and Eminem bumping into each other.

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

Its a toss-up! Neil Diamond or Michael McDonald. But is it really a surprise? If anyone cannot appreciate what both bring to the table ... don't be surprised if your friend request is not approved.

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

I still sweat old school Cubby, Z100 days. Never wasted a single break! Cousin Brucie still gets me fired up. He has the knack of making you feel like he's your "cuz" without ever meeting him. Scotty Davis killed nights on KDWB. (Chose last name Davis because of him). On the female side, Lisa Paige dominates in my book. Would love to get my hands on a Kid Kelly as Kid Crockett in Buffalo aircheck, if anyone has one.

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

Yeah... going on meaningless dates, concerts and sporting events so I have stuff to yap about everyday. Life = Show Prep.

7) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?

It's fun! It's that simple. Maybe it's just me, but the hours I'm on the air, everything else goes away and life gets fun. When you're feeling good on the air, you never have enough time. Most careers you're clock watchin'; we run out of fun time every day.

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

Two truths: 1)The cream always rises to the top. Good things happen to good people.

2) If they sound hot on the request line and are super-anxious to meet you, it never ends up good.

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

Be memorable and be liked! It's simple. Stand out and they'll need to keep you, and be nice because no one wants to work with a jerk.

Also, don't take a promotions gig if you wanna be on the air. You'll end up wanting to kill yourself.

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

I really love this question. It's not like smart, witty, creative people have become extinct. The business just pushed them into other streams of media. When most terrestrials are saying "talk for only eight seconds and sell the music," why would anyone wanna sign up for that? A kid could have a camcorder and a good idea and be a YouTube star in a week. Last time I checked, people are still interested in people. A jock who reads liners is like a really boring friend you know nothing about. Raw talent is always there, but if jocks are stripped of their personalities and told to only sell the station, they'll never develop.

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

Old Z100 TOH: "All the other guys are a bunch of weenies."