10 Questions with ... Matt Nasby

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• 2001 - KYSR/Los Angeles - Phone Screener for Lara Scott, Buckhead & Skip Kelly.
• 2002 - KYOR/Palm Springs, CA - Mornings
• 2004 - WFKS/Jacksonville, FL - Weekends/Swing
• 2006 - WPFM/Panama City, FL - PD/Afternoons
• 2008 - X1071/106.1 KISSFM Grand Cayman, BWI - PD/Afternoons on X

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

It is not often you walk into a workplace and feel like you are a part of something special, even at the bottom of the totem pole. Working as a show producer for Lara Scott, Buckhead and the Skip Kelly Show inspired me to try and give it a shot. The almighty question: "How does one get into radio?" The answer is to always learn. You can never know it all.

2) What led you to a career in radio?

I had to get an internship to graduate from college and I was lucky enough to find a contact who knew the promotions coordinator for KYSR/ Los Angeles. The funny part is, my GPA wasn't strong enough to have the internship in the first place, and later I had to intern for myself when I did mornings in Palm Springs. My University even invited me to give a seminar as a graduate, when I hadn't even received my degree yet.

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

Grand Cayman has 14 radio stations for a population of 55,000. There are two Mainstream Top 40s, with X1071 being International Mainstream, Urban and Dance. 106.1KISSFM only competes with one other AC station. DMS Broadcasting is the only cluster of four, with a Caribbean, Top 40, AC and a Modern/Classic Rock Hybrid.

4) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?

There is truly no other station like X1071 anywhere. The demographics of Grand Cayman are so diverse with over 100 nationalities on the island. The major groups include local Caymanian, Jamaican, British, Canadian, American, Australian, South African and Filipino. This makes song selection one of the most exciting aspects of working in the islands. Studying charts from around the world certainly gives a programmer a more diverse understanding of international pop culture.

5) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?

It seems that with every new step I take comes new challenges and more hats. My love and passion for radio keeps me going; I would work at all ends of the Earth to do it. The goal still remains to reside close to family in Southern California. However, I am enjoying my stint in the Caribbean.

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

The Morning X with Dane and Chloe provides the perfect dynamic for Grand Cayman. Dane Ramoon is a local Caymanian who lives and breathes the format. He offers the local perspective growing up in the Caribbean. He's paired with Chloe Hill, who comes to us from Melbourne, Australia, and who lives the life of an ex-pat. While the Cayman Islands are very conservative, having a local in the morning show gives us room to push the envelope for the market.

7) If you could add one full-time position to your budget right now, what would it be?

Definitely, a full-time web designer who can also moonlight in a web sales capacity.

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

There is always something new to learn. The world of media is forever changing and in order to be successful, you have to adapt. In other words, "Change is Constant, Success is Adaptation." Everyone wants to race to the top, but I believe that the people in radio who really spend the time to hone their craft are the ones who will be the most successful.

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

My very first day of radio at Star in LA, Lara Scott said something to me that has stuck with me for almost 10 years now. "Whatever you do, wherever you go, no matter how long you have been in the industry, NEVER stop learning. There is always something new to learn and the moment you decide that you know it all, it is over."

10) What would you like to do to save radio from its "dying-industry" image?

I disagree that the industry is dying. It is actually an exciting time in radio, for we are slowly coming full circle. As a PD, I believe that we have to take a more active role in relation to NTR. As long as revenue is being generated and ratings are up, everyone is happy. To be proud of my product, I have to find a happy medium between radio integrity and the introduction of new revenue streams. NTR is no longer Non-Traditional Revenue, but as Phillip Vinciullo, Network PMD at DMS Broadcasting would say, "NTR is actually New-Traditional Revenue." This relates to programming, and this is what is exciting. Programming is the platform to success in all these areas. The fun bit is seeing what works. So is "Radio" a dying industry? Not where I work.

For someone vacationing in your market, what one thing would you say they "must see"?

Hands down, Sting Ray City. It is the flagship location for cruise-shippers and vacationers. There is a sand bar in North Sound that houses tons of massive sting rays that are completely docile. It is a must see/hands on experience. After stopping in Sting Ray City, the tour boat will take you to Cayman Kai where you can have lunch and beverages.