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10 Questions with ... Joey Brooks
September 15, 2009
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NAME:Joey BrooksPOSITION:Afternoons APD/MD/RN/CPASTATION:WIOQ Q102MARKET:Philly!OWNER:Clear Channel
Please outline your radio career so far:
June 2006 - Present - WIOQ (Q102)/Philadelphia, PA - Afternoons APD/MD/RN/CPA/DMD
December 2003 - August 2005
May 2008 - Present (Tracked) - WXKS (Kiss 108)/Boston, MA - Weekends
December 2008 - Present (Tracked) - WKSC 103.5 (Kiss FM)/Chicago - Weekends
December 2008 - Present (Tracked) - WIHT (HOT 99.5)/Washington, D.C. - Weekends
December 2008 - Present (Tracked) - Clear Channel CHR Premium Choice - Weekend/fill-ins
August 2001 - June 2006 - WKSS (KISS 95.7)/Hartford, CT - Afternoons APD/MD - Interim Program Director Feb 2006 - May 2006
January 2002 - August 2002 - WXLO Worcester/Boston, MA - Afternoons - Imaging Director
July 2000 - January 2002 - WQSX (STAR 93.7)/Boston, MA - Late-nights/Weekends/Took out the trash
Before that....
WWKX (HOT 106 )/Providence - Weekend/Swing Talent.
Before that......
EAGLE 93.7/BOSTON - Board op....whatever they needed
Before that......
WAAF/BOSTON - Board op....helped out on the local music show "Bay State Rock".1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
Is it a gig if you don't get paid? Whatever it was, it was at 107.3 WAAF. I was playing drums in a band and they were playing us on the local music show. After the band broke up, I called the station and asked if I could help out. They remembered me from the band and hooked me up.
My first day was the weekend after Opie and Anthony got fired for the whole Mayor Menino April Fools prank. There was a cop on detail in the studio because we were getting death threats. It was a pretty interesting first day on the job.
2) What led you to a career in radio?
I used to DJ parties and dances as a kid. One day a Boston radio legend named Vinnie Peruzzi rented a sound system from me so he could DJ a wedding and he was making a ridiculous amount of money. We did Greg Strassell's wedding, but he probably got a deal ... anyway, I started to learn the business from Vinnie. Basically, I got in and still do it because being on the radio is better than setting up speakers for the guy that is on the radio.
3) How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?
Competitive! We are fighting for 18-34 numbers against three Rhythmic stations, 3 Rock stations and a couple of shadow market sticks that bleed in and pull numbers. We have fourstations in our building alone that do well 18-34. I'm surprised everyone gets alone so well in the hallways.
4) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?
Not really ... I've been wearing a whole lot of hats for a really long time.
5) What is your favorite part of the job?
I like being on the air and saying things that people can relate to. I love it when I'm out in the club and someone comes up talking about something I said three months ago. I still consider this to be the entertainment business so I enjoy trying to entertain. We have been a PPM market for years so we learned that you have to be selective with your content, but you can still be entertaining, local and relate to your audience without talking for two minutes.
6) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
I grew up listening to Kiss 108 in Boston. There were so many great personalities who worked there. I later got hired to work there under Cadillac and David Corey. I still track for Kiss and fly back to do the broadcasts for Jingle Ball and Kiss Concert. I love that station more than most of my family members.
7) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
I do a lot of yoga.
8) What music do you listen to when you're not working?
I listen to Rock and Alternative stations. I stream Live 105 in San Francisco every day while I schedule music.
9) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
I used to drive a tow truck ... that sucked. They pay me to have fun, talk to people and play music on the radio. I feel lucky and appreciate it.
10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
I'll share some words of wisdom from a Rick Vaughn jock meeting: "Don't be an iPod."
Bonus Questions
Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?
I'd like to meet Kelly Clarkson. I've never met her and we've made her a lot of money over the years. She should do a Christmas show for us ... maybe on 12/9 ... or at least she could send a Christmas card or something.
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