10 Questions with ... Jason Barsky

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

1993, started at WPST/Trenton as an intern. Produced the morning show with Eddie Davis. Started doing weekends, then overnights, then nights until 1998; WBHT/Wilkes Barre-Scranton, nights; WSBG/Stroudsburg, PA, PD/afternoons; WHCY/Northwest, NJ, PD/afternoons; WHKF/Harrisburg , PD/afternoons, then ... shifted to host of the "Kiss Morning Mess" in 2003.

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

My first radio gig was at WPST! At the time, I didn't fully understand how lucky I was to get my start at WPST, but in retrospect, I couldn't have had a better first stop. I was able to "intern" without actually taking a college class. Back in the early '90s, interns weren't always college students. Sometimes we were just eager volunteers. I did everything from promotions, on-street marketing and show producing to playing around in the production studios on the weekend.

2) What led you to a career in radio?

I always wanted to be on the radio. I was a really shy kid. I would whisper funny comments to the more outgoing kids in school and they would get the laughs in class. I thought that if I went on the radio, I would be able to be myself because nobody would see that it was me!

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

This station is unique in the sense that it is run pretty much like stations used to be run (or at least as close as possible). We are live in all dayparts (minus overnights). Many staff members share job responsibilities with an air shift, but not everybody. Dan Mason is our PD (and PD of the Buzz), plus he does afternoons. Chris K is afternoons and MD. Orphan Andrew is our night guy. Our APD, Matt Wheeler, does imaging, video editing and is off-air. Our Promotions Director, Dayne Damme, is off-air as well.

On top of that, we have John Nelson, a Marketing Director for the entire cluster!

Oh, yeah ... the morning show members only focus on the morning show.

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

No. I'm actually wearing fewer hats than I have in the past. I was a PD for Clear Channel in Harrisburg, PA. At one point, it was managing (a limited) staff, writing imaging, overseeing its production, scheduling music, scheduling imaging, doing a live shift, doing appearances, etc.

Now, my only job is to run the morning show! It's very old school, but having a singular focus really helps to make sure we are doing the best show that we can possible do!

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

Interviews I've done, sound effects, music beds, etc. I have no idea how to organize my iPod. Sometimes I listen to things for the show and it ends up on my iPod. I have no idea what the hell I'm doing. I rarely use my iPod because it has no flow. It's like ..."great song, great song, sound drop, okay song, great song, interview with American Idol's David Hernandez, the theme to the People's Court, a sweeper, a good song.

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

That I'm from New Jersey? People are often surprised to hear that I don't have a Jersey accent, or that I don't sound like I'm from the MTV's Jersey Shore. Why don't I sound like the Situation and Snookie? It's simple. I graduated from high school.

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

I host the Wake Up Call. We started here in 2007, after moving from Harrisburg, PA and 99.3 Kiss FM. Originally, there were three of us, but after the birth of her child, our female show member moved back to Harrisburg. Gavin and I have been together since 2003!

I originally hired Gavin to help me out behind the scenes in Harrisburg. He had punk rock stickers on his mini-van! He was different and I thought, "If I ever need to use him on the air, he'll have a unique perspective." I couldn't have nailed that more if I tried. He's pretty anti-pop culture and is the voice of the people who don't care about TMZ.

A few years ago, one of our sales girls, Katie, quit to take care of her sick daughter who had been born with half of a heart. Our station was involved with a charity event for the children's hospital and due to her experiences, we had her on our show. Fast forward to last October; we brought her in to do our maternity leave fill-in. Originally, she was supposed to cover one month, but when my other two potential fill-ins had to bail, she stuck around for the full three months.

When the job opened up full-time, it was a no-brainer. We hired Katie and she's been awesome! She's funny, loves pop culture, and is full of potential. It's amazing to think that she's only been doing this for a year. By the way, her daughter is doing GREAT! She just turned two! She needs one more surgery down the road, but for now, she's a normal, healthy kid!

We also have a show producer, Tall Skinny Matt. No, it's not an ironic name. He's 6'4" and weighs about 150 lbs. He might be heavier than that, but I don't weigh him ... ever.

8) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

I grew up listening to Z100! I was a HUGE fan of the Z Morning Zoo with Scott Shannon. Just recently, when the San Francisco Giants won the World Series, I tried (and failed) to find a copy of the Z Morning Zoo audio from 1986 when the Mets won the World Series. I wanted my show to hear the amazing enthusiasm a morning radio show could create with a local sports team. I wasn't a Mets fan when 1986 started, but by October, I was on board with the Mets, thanks to the Z Morning Zoo!

I also listened to Howard Stern. I remember hearing him when I was REALLY little on WNBC, but then I lost track of him. In high school I found him on K-Rock in NYC. I used to roll tape on his show in the morning and listen to it before bed every night.

I have tried to model my style after Howard, but not in content. I have no issues with his content, but it doesn't work for the formats I have been on. The style though ... works. Keep it real. If something happens on the air, acknowledge it on the air. Let yourself go behind the mic.

I'm a real person ... with real emotions, real moods, etc. Howard Stern was the first to really bring reality to radio. Without him paving the way, I'd be doing radio that would sound MUCH, MUCH different. Again, I don't rip him off. He just gave me the confidence to be myself on the air.

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

I do stand-up comedy. I started in 1994, but took a long, LONG break. Early in 2010, I hit the stage again, and have had some great opportunities. I've opened for Maria Bamford, Rob Schneider and a few others. The comedy scene in Sacramento is great. My hours don't really work for comedy club life, but I try to get out at least on two or three times a month.

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

Become an information junkie! Take improv classes. Try stand-up comedy. Have something to say! Reach out to radio personalities that you like listening to. Ask them for advice!

I used to reach out to people in the business when e-mail first become commonplace. For every 10 e-mails that I would send, I would get replies and feedback from five people. Not everyone wants to help you succeed in this business, but many people do.

With social networking, it's EASY! Find somebody you like listening to and ask them for advice!

What's the best sweeper/liner you've ever heard?

This one should show my sense of humor. When Yankee legend Mickey Mantle got a liver transplant, after years of alcohol abuse ... Mike Kaplan wrote a sweeper that aired on WPST. "Hey Mickey Mantle, here's to your new liver ... cheers-97-5 PST."