10 Questions with ... Chase Daniels

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• WMXQ/1029 The Point 2001-2004 (Weekends/swing)
• WAPE/The Big Ape 2004-2009 (Afternoon drive/APD/MD)
• WXXJ/X1029 2009 (interim PD)
• WSTR/Star94 2009 - current (Afternoon drive/programming)
• WMRQ 2009 - current (music scheduling)

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

WMXQ (1029 The Point) was an amazing experience. I was hired by my (now) friend Mark Bell after begging him for a job on the request lines for years. He found a job for me as basically a baby sitter (making sure everything was running correctly). I was still in high school at the time and I wasn't really taking "being on the radio" seriously, but I made a demo one day and was put on overnights. I did everything on that station after a few months ... middays, mornings, afternoons and weekends, and got a lot of experience at a very young age.

2) Do you miss the programming side of radio since leaving WAPE and WXXJ?

I am Michael Chase and JR Ammons' right-hand man, so I wouldn't say I'm out of the programming department completely. I help Michael with a few logs a week and I also schedule music for WMRQ in Hartford under Brian Ram, so I still use my "Music Master" skills.

3) You call Star 94 your "Dream Gig." How did you land it?

I met JR Ammons (PD at WSTR) in 2007 at WAPE. We hit it off day one (he says it took a few months ... ha ha). I respect his programming style and I work well with his guidance. Honestly, he's the person who told me to focus more on my on air work than programming. When he took the job at Star 94 and left WAPE, I knew I'd be working with him again ... and it wasn't soon thereafter that he took me under his wing again.

I remember driving through Atlanta on a bus with my youth group many years ago and just falling in love with the city. I have been a fan of Star 94 for a VERY long time and it's truly amazing that my key card lets me into the Penthouse every day.

I've been on interviews over the years in different cities and different stations and Star 94 was the only one that felt "right" the second I walked in the door.

4) What makes Star 94 so unique?

Star 94 is its own format. It's not Top 40 and it's not Hot AC. It's Star 94. Once you understand that there's no going back. You'll fall in love with it. In fact, other stations in Atlanta are in love with it, too. That's why everyone is trying to fight for our sound. :) Star is in a tough place right now, but this is a great company that believes in what we are doing and knows that we will win. We always have and will. We have an amazing team in place at Star 94. It's nice to work with people who care on and off the air.

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

PPM is a factor every time I open my mouth. There is no room for mistakes. Phone calls, show prep, comedy -- you name it ... everything has to be tight and executed correctly EVERY time. Radio is not what it used to be, but the strong survive. If you are willing to work hard, think on your feet and multitask, you'll be able to have a successful show. JR always says, "Know your audience."

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

I go to the movies at least one or two times a weekend. Even if people tell me it's a bad movie, I need to see it for myself. I'm about to start doing a blog on star94.com, so take a peek soon and get me some web hits so I look good.

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

I am a technology nut. I have to buy the latest toys (sometimes I sell it months later on eBay.) I'm really into stuff Apple makes and I'm kind of a "fan boy" when it comes to them. (Yes, I have an Apple logo on my car...) I don't read books, I read computer magazines and websites ... and it helps me to relax.

8) Before you go on the air, what do you do?

I am not a morning person so I wake up, take a shower and walk to work. I get to Star around noon everyday and grab lunch (really my breakfast) and socialize with the programming and sales departments. Around 1:30-2:30p I'll help out our amazing Production Director Doug Miller with some spots and pop into a studio to show prep from 2:30-3:30p, mapping out each break, grabbing audio and finding stories that relate to our audience. 3:30-4p I try and stay out of the studio (I have way too much ADD to be in there for five hours) so I grab a cup of coffee, listen to music with Michael Chase or beg my GM, Rick Mack not to fire me.

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

It's not dying. MTV was going to kill radio in 1983. XM was going to kill us in 2000. Then it was iPods ... they were going to be the nail in the coffin. Now look what's happened? MTV doesn't play music ... iPods are getting FM radios and XM is for radio geeks and truck drivers! (I love '90s on 9!)

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

Network! When a job is open, most PDs already have the person they want in mind. You need to make yourself known before the job you want is open. Send your stuff to other jocks around the country for guidance and advice. I was networking before the days of Facebook. It's so easy now to be front row and center with programmers. If you're good enough it will pay off.

Which character on a current TV series most reflects your personality?

Jack Bauer from "24." He's a control freak and doesn't stop working till the job's done. Plus, he says, "Damn it!" a lot.