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10 Questions with ... Stick "On The Radio"
August 17, 2010
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- 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 (2005-2009);
- WZBQ/Tuscaloosa, nights (tracked) (2007-present).
Have tracked @: KYLD/San Francisco, WFKS/Jacksonville, WQEN/Birmingham, KTBT/Tulsa, WRVW/Nashville and countless others.
1) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?
All of the stations I have worked at are like their own little snowflakes;, no two are even close to being the same. At KTFM, we have a unique situation in that the call letters are heritage in this city, but as of late haven't had the identity and prominence they once did. The tough part of our job here is to return KTFM to the top of people's minds and resonate in their hearts as the radio station they grew up with -- and the one to turn to when they want to hear what's hot and happening. We have taken steps to do that by returning the music to what it once was ... a Top 40 station that has a Rhythmic lean. We also have live and local personalities who live the lifestyle, meet the audience face-to-face at events and embrace the city as our own.
2) What is your favorite part of the job?
I get to come to work every day and do something I am truly passionate about. It's always on my mind; I'm always thinking of topics of discussion or funny quips I can use that affect people's everyday life. While out of work recently, it really put in perspective how lucky we truly are to be able to create and perform every day.
3) What's the coolest promotion you've been involved with recently?
It had to be when I was at WXXL/Orlando, an airline offered discount airfare from Orlando to Amsterdam. Not only did we give trips away on the air, but we were also were able to broadcast abroad! Very little tops sitting outside a café using their free wi-fi to do your show ... it involved painting a vivid picture for the audience and then sharing the experience virally.
4) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?
If I put my iPhone on shuffle you get the following five:
- Billy Joel
- Linkin Park
- U2
- Jay Z
- The Beastie Boys
5) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
I have a SICK work ethic. I have a bad reputation for moving around when I was younger and my mistakes seem to follow me everywhere. It's something I can't shake no matter where I end up or the success I have ... people always gravitate to the negative. At the end of the day, they were my mistakes and I can't apologize for them now. They have made me the personality I am today. It was these mistakes that shaped me and taught me invaluable lessons on this craft.
Some people were made to do this, and it shows. I never felt like I was one of those people. I work really hard to remain in top form. I'm always working to get better. I remain a student of the craft ... whether it's listening to other jocks and picking up on things I like and don't as a pure listener ... then implementing that along with what I have already learned into my repertoire. I study Mediabase to try and understand scheduling patterns and learn from the best. In a time where teaching has all but gone out the window, I continue to try and learn by using what's around me.
6) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
I've resumed running. Before radio I was in college on a track ride. I blew it off to flip switches at WESS, my college radio station, and later to WBLI in my hometown. I'm also a huge baseball fan and have seen my share of different stadiums throughout the U.S. ...and every time I get closer to having completed all 30 teams, it seems someone builds a new stadium.
7) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
As a kid I was shy ... and to an extent I still am. However, there's something exciting about when I turn the mic on and am able to connect with a listener about something that may have happened in their life, or find a common ground and really create a relationship with them. Becoming part of someone's routine because they relate to you is such an intricate and difficult thing to do, but once you have their ears, their hearts and minds will follow.
8) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Hard work fixes everything. If you have a thorough work ethic and work harder than your peers, you WILL succeed.
9) What advice you would give people new to the business?
Learn everything. In a world where we wear multiple hats, it's imperative to have a skill set that exceeds just one specific responsibility. Reminds me of those old PSAs on NBC back in the day... "The More You Know..."
10) What's the best sweeper/liner you've ever heard?
All credit to my last station XL106.7 and Michael Bryan for this one: "Live Life, Love Music ... XL106.7." It takes the standard of writing sweepers/liners to another level. We are in an era where we've been asked to do more for less in our jobs, lives etc. This line enters the subconscious saying ... hey, it's okay to escape with us. It's not just a statement;, it's a mentality.
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