10 Questions with ... Orlando

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

'91 Intern-Weekends at WFHT/Tallahassee, '94 MD-Nights then Afternoons-PD at WXSR/Tallahassee, '96 MD-Afternoons then PD at WWLD/Tallahassee. '98 MD-Afternoons then PD/Mornings here at WLLD/TAMPA

1. You have a lot of years invested in WiLD 98.7. Is there a moment or an image that stands out more than others?

The moment that stands out the most is when we had Hurricane Charlie heading directly at us, and we were forced to share a signal with our country station's Cowhead Morning Show at the time. 17 hours later, after playing a country song, then a rhythmic song, sharing an interview with Lisa Lampanelli, and guessing (gauged by dialect) whose listener was on the line, we realized that we had a lot of fun. Plus the fact that my car didn't blow away was a great deal too!

2. As usual, there's a lot going on in your life. What's new?

Uh...I got married in January, to the new Program Director of WiLD. LOL! She airchecks me, and let's me know her favorite new records. Honestly, it's a great look because I'm now living a the dream on both sides, and Jen has opened me up to more . We also wasted no time, at all, in starting a family, so in October I will be responsible for a little being. Orlando as someone's DAD? Let it soak in people, it's gonna take a minute. There's also a foray into music, that I'm taking this year. It started with an idea and a phone call to...wait...I'll hold off on that announcement. Just "Listeennnn..."

3. Let's move ahead 15 years. What advice will you give your teenaged daughter about dating air personalities?

I'd probably tell her first that "the tickets are ONLY 30 bucks! I'll buy them, so no visits to that station's night jock. I guess there aren't many Dad's offering that advice here in Tampa. I'd also tell her that unless he had better rating share than her Daddy, we're shopping for boyfriends at med school!

4. 18 months ago we did 10 Q and talked about how your team at WiLD 98.7 had changed very little. The last 6 months has seen some significant staff changes, primarily your Co-APD/MD Beata going to Los Angeles to work for Jive/Zomba. She was a big part of the team, how are you coping with the loss?

Mainly I cry...lol! Not because I miss her but now I HAVE to listen to her (damn she's gonna hit me) Beata was a real participant in our growth and launch here, in Tampa, so she's always gonna be missed, but see her flourish with Jive and watching the brand live on is a testament to all of our work.

5. Who has joined the WiLD team lately?

We've just reloaded our night show with DJ H VIDAL & THE NUTHOUSE (LYRIK and BUCKWHEAT) and we've added a new female, from our promo staff, NAVAHO, to ORLANDO & THE FREAK SHOW, and a new morning show producer, SPECIAL ED, so we're staying healthy and hungry with new mouths to feed. Our new MD, fellow CBS hustler, STEVIE DeMANN (formerly of WJHM/ORLANDO), is set up to help us take over our world as well, so things are sweet. Oh, btw, after interviewing many great candidates, I just picked up former CBS head honcho, DAN MASON to lead the company. He impressed me with his vision, so I mad that happen too. How heavy am I? Haha!

6. Is this what you saw yourself doing 10 years ago?

This is exactly where I saw myself, 10 years ago, which is really scary because it usually doesn't happen that way. It's a blessing to be able to realize a dream but the credit goes to a LOT of people like LEE REYNOLDS, DR. DAVE, TOM RIVERS (at rest), and JERRY CLIFTON, to name a few.

7. There are a lot of very inexperienced PDs out there. Any sage advice for them? How can they keep a great gig as long as you've had your gig as the programming leader of WiLD 98.7?

Advice? Don't take it too seriously. Once you do, you end up like those corporate people, that really have a hard time understanding why you are the way you are, and equally don't care why you are the way you are. They just want your numbers delivered. I have a great gig, and they can too, just keep greater people around you. Many days I feel like our Marketing Director, DREW FLEMING is our PD, because he answers before I can open my mouth, but it's exactly what I would say. When it isn't, it's usually what I should be getting ready to say. My programming assistant, BREWSTAAA, is another hustler that helps me look prepared, and she's a freestyle champ...(giggle).

8. When you walk out of the studio after your morning show...what makes the rest of your day as PD exciting, day in and day out?

Thirty minutes! I love both jobs equally, that's why I can never be a big wig, like JIMMY STEAL, TODD CAVANAUGH, or REGGIE ROUSE. I need to stay in a market where I can effectively do both, until the wheels fall off of this bike I'm tearing to shreds. However there is 30 minutes that I'm not a PD or a morning guy (from 10:10 - 10;40), where I can just walk around, talk to folks, and be a fan of what both jobs are accomplishing. I like that guy, the other are asses...

9. Say your wife gives you the proverbial celebrity pass. Who do you redeem that pass with?

KIM KARDASHIAN...wait is she a celebrity? I may need to reload that one and shoot for SCARLETT JOHANNSEN. Great, now I can't interview EITHER, without the third degree. Thanks PETE!

10. Hypothetically, you write a script for a TV show about a radio station. Cast the actors in the show and who in the industry the character is patterned after?

Let's see...morning team would be CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER (despite how he sounded interviewing DIDDY, for CLEAR CHANNEL), MIKE EPPES, CARLOS MENCIA, and P!NK. Our producer would be STEVE CARELL. Basically we'd pattern these being after ORLANDO & THE FREAKSHOW. Each role fits the vibe of each FREAK. Middays I'd put in ROSELYN SANCHEZ and she would be our ANGIE MARTINEZ fill...hot Latina, smart, opinionated, and cool as hell! Afternoons, we'd put VINCE VAUGHN and pattern him after TIM VIRGIN, at THE EDGE/PHOENIX. Only actor that is smart ass enough and a fast enough talker to bring that madness. Nights, we'd do T-PAIN and pattern him after...well...T-PAIN. He's a real character and would bring a 20 share.

You lose a bet and have to give the keys to your baby (WLLD) to a record exec for two weeks. You can't leave town because you're still doing the morning show. In a perfect world, who would the exec be and what do you think they'll find most difficult about being a big market PD?

Oooh! I'd want pick MARTHE REYNOLDS or HORSIE! MARTHE would learn that just because a rep has 19 artists, it doesn't mean she has 19 slots, and McMANN would remember what the hustle was like before he got rich, important, and filled his closets with expensive suits. The WWKX days would rush back into his mind...lol!