10 Questions with ... Lacy Neff

NAME:Lacy Neff POSITION:Program Director STATION:WVAQ MARKET:Morgantown, WV OWNER:West Virginia Radio

1) You just toted home the Marconi Award for Top 40 Station of the Year from the NAB. Cool, huh?

Very cool! Not only was it unexpected, it was funny, because on the way to the banquet we were talking about being up against Power 106, WNCI, KS104 and KHKS. We thought it would be a short night for us, but it wound up being a long one! Last year, I won the Small-Market Personality Marconi, so coming back this year and winning the station award means a lot. Everybody here can celebrate.

2) Listening online, I heard that you're hosting a Motown night at a downtown club. How does tying a Top 40 station to an Oldies night work out?

Motown is short for "Morgantown!" It's not an Oldies night. There's lots of dancing on bars and shots being downed by everyone.

3) Community involvement has always been big for you guys...

It's more than playing music; you have to give back to the community. We were recently voted #1 small city in America by a Travel magazine. People are very giving here. We do a big radiothon for the Children's Miracle Network, plus food drives and fundraisers for other organizations. Everything that we do involves making WVAQ our listeners' best friends. When you listen, it's not just a Top 40 station. We're the soundtrack to this area.

4) How would you describe your first radio gig?

It was just down the road in Fairmont, WV. I was 17, and I thought I was good ... for six months nobody had the heart to tell me I sucked! Eventually, I got it together and moved on to WVAQ, then to B94 in Pittsburgh, then back here to program. I love being able to do something I love in my hometown.

5) What led you to a career in radio?

It was really by chance. I wanted to do DJ dances in high school. Then I heard about an opening at a small AM station, and I went for it. Once I cracked the mic the first time, I knew it was something I wanted to do forever.

6) How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?

It's interesting. It's growing. There are a lot of signals here, as the Pittsburgh signals get in here. Geographically, our market is longer than Long Island, and it's tough to cover it promotionally out on the streets. There are a lot of stations here in every imaginable format.

7) Could you give us a little insight into your on air staff?

Eric & Kevin in the morning do a very unique morning show. They just struck a deal to be syndicated to other stations here in West Virginia. People love them here. They're tuned in to what's happening, and they have local characters and listeners who are a big part of the show.

Middays, it's Meghan Durst. She's tied into at-work listening, and has a cult-like following of female listeners. She's very active and tied into the community.

Afternoons, it's been me for 20 years. What do you say about yourself? I try not to screw it up!

And we have Edge at night. He's really developed into the night life guru of Morgantown, and he does a phone-intensive night show that's totally plugged into the area.

8) What are some of your favorite stations?

Z100 is great, and WFLZ is so creative. You gotta love KIIS, too. When you listen to them, they sound like L.A. Closer to home, I'm glad that B94 is back. It's a great heritage station for that market.

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

The station I'm programming! Kevin Nicholas in mornings ... Bill McDonald in afternoons ... it's a thrill to be able to program the station I grew up with!

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

Do we have time to have one? I just like to relax, go home and spend time with family and friends. I have twin daughters who are a handful. I love the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Pittsburgh Steelers ... and mowing the lawn.

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

The one that positions the radio station correctly!