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10 Questions with ... Stick 'On The Radio'
July 7, 2009
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NAME:Stick 'On The Radio'POSITION:Afternoons 4-7 live, Nights 7-12 tracked, AMDSTATION:WXXL XL106.7MARKET:Orlando, FLOWNER:Clear Channel CommunicationsTWITTER:Twitter.com/stickontheradio
Please outline your radio career so far:
WBLI/Long Island, overnights/late nights/morning show producer/Music Coordinator (1998-1999)
WBTS/Atlanta, nights (signed station on Jan 2000)
KZQZ/San Francisco, nights/AMD (2000-2001)
WIOQ/Philadelphia, nights (2001-2002)
WKSS/Hartford, nights (2003-2004)
WHTZ/New York City, weekends/swing (2003-2005)
WAKS/Cleveland, afternoons Acting APD/MD (2004-2005)
WXXL/Orlando, afternoons/nights/AMD (2005-present)
WZBQ/Tuscaloosa, nights (tracked) (2007-present)
Have tracked @: KYLD/San Francisco, WFKS/Jacksonville, WQEN/Birmingham, KTBT/Tulsa, WRVW/Nashville and countless others.1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
I started at WBLI/Long Island. I was fortunate enough to start at the station in my hometown less than three miles from my home. I started much like anyone else, doing everything and anything they'd let me. From cutting banners, packing bins for weekend appearances and then working the gigs hanging banners, talking to listeners and handing out prizes by day ... at night I would come in and produce the night show, pulling CDs and carts. On overnights I'd stay and record my own airchecks and leave a tape a day for the PD and Al Levine On The Scene. Got some overnight board op hours on weekends and that turned into an audition, then 1 shift ... soon I was doing six nights a week on the air.
2) What led you to a career in radio?
I always had a thing for radio. It was a medium that took more work and creativity to tell a story than television. Hearing Sports Talk on WFAN in New York got me real interested to start. But it wasn't until college when I really started to get my feet wet and I was hooked!
3) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?
XL is unique in that we are so community-based. I have never been a part of a station that does more for the community. Johnny & Jayde in the morning do a phenomenal job with spreading the love during Xmas time, making sure underprivileged kids in Central Florida are able to have presents under the tree with our baby DJ program. With the guidance of Michael Bryan and Jana Sutter, we have put or "XL Gives Back" initiative into overdrive, making sure the Central Florida listeners are more aware of our favorite charities, and know how they can get involved as well.
4) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?
Sure, who isn't? There are so many things that we do that don't even fall under a job title ... but you sure notice how much you do right before you take a day off ... there's so much to get done.
5) What is your favorite part of the job?
Relating with an audience. It's not always about a punch line ... I find the best show prep comes from living life. It's experiencing the things your listeners deal with daily and putting it into words. Evoking emotion is something I get a real kick out of, when someone pulls me aside outside the radio station and tells me how a bit like war of the roses put them in a good mood on their ride home, or how they related to hating women who walk though Walmart with their kid on a leash ... that's what its all about, helping them escape their everyday life for just a little bit.
6) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
Growing up it was AL Levine, Vic Latino, Kid Kelly and Chio The Hitman (who I later worked with at Q102). I also miss the days of Paul "Cubby" Bryant posting records with witty banter, but he's a big morning guy now! I also dig Boy Toy Jesse and JoJo Wright at KIIS and Stryker at 97.1 AMP in Los Angeles; I love their laid-back delivery. Kane and Toby Knapp at Hot in DC (never know what angle those guys will take). Joey Brooks at Q102 Philly, cuz he's fun to drink with, and Frankie V at Channel 933 in San Diego, but only if he had a better couch for me to crash on when I'm in town!
7) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
Z100/New York City. I watched this interview Scott Shannon and Ross Britain did in 1984 on YouTube with Regis Philbin. Regis asked Scott why Z was successful in going from worst to first. Scott's answer was simple ... they involve the actual listeners with the show, they let the listeners call in and talk. The personality on that station contributed to why I wanted to be on the air. I was a shy kid who, once in a studio, was free to create and entertain people. I took parts of each jock I came up listening to and that helped form the jock I am today.
8) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
It's fun. You hear people say all the time in the walls of your station, "Well, it's better than digging ditches." I couldn't agree more! I get to wake up, read stuff online, talk to friends and decide what I will discuss on that day's show. After an interesting weekend, you could have material for a week ... it's amazing.
9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
I have put in 100% with every station I've been a part of. I take immense pride in putting on a highly entertaining energetic show day after day. I wake up looking forward to it daily. As much as I am an escape for my listeners, radio has always been my escape ... the creativity helps put me in a good place.
10) What is the current state of the radio 'talent pool'?
You have to look in new places for them, but they are still there. Part of the problem is we put so many restrictions on who we allow in the building anymore. (needing school credit, etc.) I came in off the street and was willing to do whatever ... people like that should be rewarded, not turned away! But there are still young people who are hungry to do what we do; you just have to look. And part of everyone's job should be to teach. I know we all wear more hats every single day, but someone took you under their wing in this business ... giving back is what it's all about!
Bonus Questions
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Probably a Vin Scully-type doing play-by-play in a market for years and years ... or Bob Costas, when he hosted Costas Coast to Coast ... talking to sports and newsmakers from week to week. But essentially, I am living the dream, doing what I wanted to do. In my high school yearbook, teachers knew I wanted to be on the radio, and when I returned to New York City and had the chance to be on Z100, I was contacted by a few of them and that felt so good.
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