10 Questions with ... Shannon Steele

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Started at WKDD in Akron ... Not gonna tell you when ;). From there, WZJM-WJMO/Cleveland, WMMS/Cleveland, WDGC/Raleigh, WNOK/Columbia (MD), WAPE/Jacksonville (Promotions Director), WDJQ/Canton (MD), WKSE/Buffalo (MD). I also had a brief stint at Interscope Records in L.A. and LimpBizness in the late '90s. Also known as: Sue Tyler.

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

IMPACTFUL. Somehow after 20 years I am working for the same woman I learned this business from, but in a different city. Did I mention we went a decade in the middle without being in contact? Oh, and I'm now married to the guy I WAS dating back then, also after a decade split. How's THAT for full circle?

2) What led you to a career in radio?

Defiance mostly.My daddy told me I couldn't. :)

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

Yes, unfortunately new heads didn't come with the package.

4) What is your favorite part of the job?

The music ... always the music.

5) What is the most challenging part of the job?

So much music, so few slots.

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

Barry Manilow. Yes, I am a Fanilow ... deal.

7) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?

Although at heart I am a rock chick, I am also known by my oldest and dearest friends as the world's greatest female white rapper. It's true ... I can perform all six minutes and 49 seconds of "Beat Street Breakdown." True story, I'm Old Skool like that.

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

One word describes each of them: PRO. WKSE/Buffalo is one of those odd stations with incredibly low turnover due to an unbelievably talented, hard working staff of both full and part-timers. I couldn't do anything I do without each and every one of them. Janet & Nick have been on mornings here for well over a decade, as has our night guy, DJ Anthony, who just happens to be the single best club jock I've ever seen in all my life.

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

Imaging Director. One of our part-timers, Shy Guy Shawn is incredible with production and is one of the most creative people I've ever met, but you know how the economy is. He is now part-time, which leaves us with nobody to devote to imaging. I believe imaging is extremely important, and very much a full-time job.

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

Simply remind people that "image" is just that ... image. WKSE raised half-million dollars in three days for Women and Children's hospital of Buffalo ... I'm sorry, you were saying what about a dying industry? Images can be re-tooled. This industry is far from dying ... it is simply re-inventing itself. Hey, if Britney can do it....

What ringtone do you have on your cell?

"Bad Things" by Jace Everett. Rock out with your fangs out ;)