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10 Questions with ... Chris Marino
January 3, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WABC, WNNJ, WPST, WKSS, WPLJ, WHYI, WIOQ, WHTZ, WHYI (again :-), WEOW, WLDI, WSPK, WPKF and WBWZ.
1. What got you interested in Radio?
I kind of fell into it. I grew up listening to Z100, WPLJ, WRKS and thought it was pretty cool having a high-energy job like that. I actually went to college originally for Computer Science Engineering and ended up on the college radio station and loved it. I should have stayed right, but I made the left!!
2. You also do mornings on WBWZ. Any tips on time management?
Write everything down. Be like Santa, have a list and check it twice. I also learned from Marc Chase the 80/20 rule. What can you definitely get done each day that will yield 80% of productivity. If the other 20% doesn't get done, would it bite you in the keister? If not - you're properly managing your time!
3. WPKF isn't your typical Rhythm station with Elvis Duran and Ryan Secreast on. How do you make it work?
The good news is that both those guys transcend format with top-rated features like the Elvis Duran Phone Taps and the Seacrest Daily Sleaze. The shows are fun and fit the current sound of the station. Prior to taking over 'PKF in 2009, it was more of an urban-leaning rhythm where it has since evolved nicely into a dance-pop-rhythm based station ...which is essentially a Top 40 without the rock. We've seen great increases in ratings with this music shift and Elvis is clearly our star quarterback.
4. Who were/are some of your radio mentors?
I'd say for having fun on the radio and developing a great persona it'd have to be Scott Shannon, Elvis Duran and Kid Kelly. Programming-wise Shannon, Dave Stewart of WPLJ, Rob Roberts, Dave Denver, Jay-Beau Jones, Brian Bridgman. My current OM Stephen Giuttari was part of Scott's original team that signed on Z100. He has a wealth of radio knowledge that he shares with me. Every day I feel like I'm learning something new ...which is cool.
5. What do you like to do with your down time?
Spending it with my son who is 14 months old now. He and my wife are my world outside of radio.
6. What's your favorite song on the air now?
Well the one song that is sticking in my head like Krazy Glue on the WBWZ side is Nickelback's "When We Stand Together" (Das when we all win... Das... Das... Das when we all win!) on the 'PKF side it has to be LMFAO "Sexy And I Know It"... those guys are a riot and exactly what we need on the radio!
7. If you were forced to choose between doing mornings or being PD, which would you choose?
That's tough as I have a strong passion for both but I'd say doing mornings. Here in the Hudson Valley, we get our TV from NYC, so the community has really bonded with their radio personalities. I enjoy being actively involved with fundraising and special events that we have a TON of here in the HV... especially with the four seasons, there is always something cool going on seasonally that we get the opportunity to be a part of with our listeners. I think I'd greatly miss that if I came off the air.
8. If you could be on any TV reality show, which would you want to be on?
Dancing With The Stars. I'd love to get my butt in shape with the dance workouts and look like Tony Dovolani ...instead of looking like I just ate him.
9. If you were getting married in two weeks, who would you like to perform at your reception?
LMFAO complete with tear away tux's.
10. If you were to leave Radio today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be?
That's another tough question. I enjoy writing and would love to someday take a crack at writing an article (you listening there Joel Denver???). Online journalism continues to be a growing field as more and more websites develop so that could be an option...
Bonus Questions
If you were going to roll with an artist on tour, who would you want that artist to be?
Did I mention LMFAO? I have these killer tear away pants...wanna see?
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