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10 Questions with ... Dave Mazur
May 13, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- WXRX/Rockford (weekends)
- WERV/Aurora-Chicago (weekends)
- WSOY/Decatur, IL
- WERV/Aurora-Chicago (weekends)
- WXSS/Milwaukee (weekends)
- WRTS/Erie (APD/nights)
- WVKS/Toledo (nights/afternoons/APD/MD)
- WKQI/Detroit (weekends)
- WFKS/Jacksonville (voicetracked)
1. What got you into radio?
My parents banned me from television as I was growing up, but they gave me a radio. I listened constantly. I also grew up in Chicago, and I fell in love with WLS-FM, Z95, B96, ROCK 1035 and Q101. I listened non-stop to people like Alan Cable, George McFly, Barsky, Eddie and Jobo, Mancow, Lou Brutus, Ned Spindle, Fred Winston, and Dick Biondi.
2. What class in high school best prepared you for a career in radio?
At Naperville Central there was a class open to Juniors and Seniors called Campus Plan. I told my parents it was a study hall. But, when I went to a meeting with my dad with and advisor, he told my dad what it truly was, Recess/Fool Around Time/and an unstructured mess. My dad wasn't pleased with the truth. Oh, I also think time in the cafeteria prepped me well, too.
3. What was the biggest change in the move to Madison?
Honestly, how Midwest Family Broadcasting, as a company, does radio. Everything on my station, with the exception of two syndicated shows on the weekend, is produced in house with local talent.
We have live weekend shifts not just on Jamz but on every station in the building. We have research to go along with the gut decisions. I have never in my career have been blessed with so many tools to get the job done as I have hear in Madison.
Not to mention my boss, Randy Hawke, is amazing and incredibly supportive. I have worked for some great operations managers in the past, but I've never had a boss say, "Yes, lets do that." as much as he has, and then we actually do it.
4. How are you fitting in with the rabid Packer fans?
I think the best way to answer this question as a Bears Fan living in Packer Country. Is to use the words of Kid Snuff, the morning host on our sister station Sports Talk 1067 The Zone. "Bears Fans and Packer Fans truly only have an issue with each other two weekends a year."
5. What would probably surprise most people about Madison?
Sure, we have the capital, great college sports and amazing local breweries. You have to try the beer at the Vintage so far, it's my favorite.
The thing that truly surprised me about Madison was that there is a man who drives a moped wearing nothing but a speedo and a cape in the summertime. I'm quite positive I was surprised the first time I saw that sight. (I googled the image so I do not have rights to use this, just an FYI)
6. What's your favorite song on the station right now?
Easy,, Kat Dahlia - Crazy. It's been a huge reaction record for us. We lead the way with it and it paid off. We have had a ton of positive feedback from the phones and social media about it, and its one of our highest testing records. We are just under 1,000 spins on it and our closest competitor hasn't touched it once. When listeners hear that song they think 931 Jamz. We own it.
7. If you had to eat one type of meal everyday for a month, what would it be?
I would want Thin Crust Pizza's from Vito and Nick's at 84th and Pulaski in my old neighborhood in Chicago. I could eat that every day of my life.
8. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am a total nerd. I have a small collection of Arcade Games from the 80's. You know the ones that take quarters. Yes, I do have an obnoxious Donkey Kong Score. But, due to their age I find myself working on the insides of them more than I do playing the games themselves. I enjoy fixing them, and keeping them running. This summer, I plan on getting one that doesn't work at all and rebuilding it completely.
9. If you could host any TV game show or reality show, which would you want to host?
If they brought back Press Your Luck. I will be first in line to try out for an audition to be the host of that show. "No Whammies, No Whammies, No Whammies, Stop."
10. Hypothetical question...You need a celebrity co-host for your show for one full week. Who would you want to bring in to entertain Madison with you?
I honestly wouldn't want a big name celeb in the studio with me. Sure, it would be impressive to have an air check filled with movie stars, artists, politicians, etc. But, I'd take a local celeb who did something amazing in Madison, or a cheerleading squad from one of the local high schools in my studio over a famous person any day of the week.
The local celebs may not provide the "Best Radio" but at the end of the day the audience can relate better to someone who did something great from Middleton, WI than they could from an A-lister.
Bonus Questions
More painful? Nard shot or child birth?
I haven't taken one in the 'nards' since I was about seven. I'm positive most people don't take one like that when they are an adult. My sister gave birth to my niece a little over a year ago. She said that hurt. I'm going to go with that.
Rapid fire round. Name a male celebrity you could beat up and one that could probably kick your ass?
I'm going to say that I could probably beat up Jim Parsons from The Big Bang Theory. I do think that Sean Giambrone, who plays Adam Goldberg on that show on The Goldbergs could beat me up. He's only 11 and would probably kick me in the nards, to reference your last question.
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