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10 Questions with ... Maurice 'Big Mo' Mayer
October 29, 2019
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started at WNAA (North Carolina A&T University's station). I worked Monday and Friday from 2-6pm. I also helped out in promotions, and music. Started at WJMH in 2002 doing part-time work, then in 2004 started full-time working overnights. I became the Assistant Music Director in 2008. Now I am the Music Director/midday personality!
1. What excites you about programming?
Being able to flow the music the way I want to flow it. Flow is very important to me, especially with programming, because I never schedule R&B songs back to back, slow or upbeat. I like to protect those records. I want to keep my station sounding like a party at all times. Also, finding and breaking new music excites me, especially when it works in Shazam and callout! It never gets old!
2. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
Well, first it was becoming a rap superstar, but I can't rap. Then I wanted to sing like my mom, but she didn't pass her vocal skills on to me. Then one day I heard Hot 97 and fell in love with radio! I remember listening to Funk Flex and saying, "I want to do that, break records, and determine what the next hits will be."
3. How much "New York" is still part of you?
New York will always be a part of me, because I can't lose the accent! And my family is still up there, so I'm always up there visiting, and they make sure I never forget where I come from.
4. I had a short chat with my father recently about my favorite childhood memories. What might be one of yours?
So, as a child I used to hate my father's music. He would play all the classic Motown records, jazz and blues. I mean you name it, he played it. I just wasn't into that type of music at the time and would always cry. My mom said, "Mo doesn't like your music, so we have to find something that he likes because I'm sick of the crying." My dad decided to buy me a turntable (just one by the way) and one record, and that record was Run-DMC "You Be Illin'. I kid you not, I listened to that record every day, and never cried again! That was the moment I fell in love with hip hop. Also, it was the beginning of me driving my dad crazy with all of my "hippidi hop music".
5. What makes JAMZ special amidst the options available to listeners?
What makes us special is that we are heritage! People have grown up with Jamz, and their kids have grown up with us, as well. The cycle just continues, and that's what makes us stand out in the ratings. Also, we have no restrictions. We can play something that is streaming really well in the area, or we can play songs that myself, and my djs are into, or we can play records that are working really well in the clubs around town. Now, radio is not in people's houses anymore, so we as programmers have to figure out a way to make radio cool again. We have to promote our radio app heavy, and play the cool songs, not songs that came out three months ago talking about "brand new music". It's cool to play those "throwback" songs during the day when the kids are at school, and the adults are at work listening, but after 3 pm we are super aggressive with our clocks. We want the kids to tune in to us saying, "102 Jamz is that station!" Adults always follow their kids, for example, Old Town Road. 15-24 year-olds set the trend. I wish more programmers would see that, because once you have them, your 18-34 and 18-49 year-olds will always follow and grow in the ratings. That's why we have always had success here in Greensboro!
6. If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?
Doing something for hip hop! I always wanted to work for Def Jam! That was my favorite record label growing up. Maybe making beats, and producing records, becoming the next Timbaland or Neptunes out here. I know for sure I would've learned how to dj, I can dj a little bit, but I would've become the next Kid Capri. Again, anything involving music I would be into.
7. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love hanging out with my daughter and driving her crazy! Playing poker (yes, I'm pretty good), watching movies, and just relaxing.
8. If you could be on any TV reality show or game show, which would you want to be on?
That's easy, Love and Hip Hop! The stories I have you wouldn't believe! I'm like Stevie J without the babies! By the way, if I had to pick a game show it would be Family Feud, because my family is crazy!
9. Your daughter...how has she influenced how you do your job? Does she help with research?
Ah man, my daughter is a HUGE help! She tells me artist before they are even signed, for example Queen Naija. I remember we were riding around, and she asked me if I ever heard of Queen Naija, and she played me two songs "Medicine" and "Karma". Both of those songs became huge records for us! Remember, Queen Naija was huge on the YouTube scene before Capitol even pushed her music.
We talk about music all the time! She thinks she has an ear like me, but of course I have to put her in her place!
10. Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?
Of course! I love alternative music. Groups like Hinder, Staind, Linkin Park, Nickelback, Daughtry, Creed, Green Day. Also, I'm a big fan of Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, and remember that Motown music I didn't like growing up, well I love it now. Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Four Tops, The Manhattans, The O'Jays, Sam Cooke, David Ruffin. I could go on for days. Whatever you do, don't judge me when I say this, but I'm a big Justin Bieber fan. I know, I know!
Bonus Questions
If you had to eat one type of meal every day for a month, what would it be?
Easy...Italian! You can never go wrong!
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