10 Questions with ... Brotha' Fred

NAME:Brotha' Fred POSITION:Morning Show Host / 'Brotha' Fred's AM MAYHEM' STATION:WIBT (96-1 THE BEAT) MARKET:CHARLOTTE, NC COMPANY:CLEAR CHANNEL

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

KRBV/DALLAS :: Weekends/Overnights/Swing :: September '01-August '03
KHFI/AUSTIN :: Nights/Afternoons/APD/MD :: August '03-July '06
WIBT/CHARLOTTE :: Mornings :: July '06-Current...
Voicetracking "stints" include :: KHKS, WHYI, KKRZ, KXXM, KTBT, KDUK, WKSI
On the fill-in "team" for "THE HOLLYWOOD HAMILTON WEEKEND TOP 30 COUNTDown"
Aspiring Voiceguy :: BroFroVO.com :: Coming Soon!

1) Congrats on your new TV gig. Tell us about it!

I'm the co-host of FOX NEWS EDGE on FOX CHARLOTTE (WCCB-TV). The show airs live, weeknights, at 10:35 after the FOX NEWS @ 10. We cover everything from BRITNEY SPEARS to local politics-it's a" pop culture meets the news" style show with an "EDGY" twist.

My co-host, the lovely and talented Morgan Fogarty, is an award winning reporter and anchor who brings the bulk of the credibility and journalistic integrity to our on-air partnership. I just provide outlandish opinions and devilish good looks.

I started on the show as a fill in host a few months ago and was recently elevated to full time host. I'm obviously very excited about the opportunity to explore television and the many, many opportunities for synergy between my morning radio show and the EDGE.

2) OK, so you work on the radio live from 6-10a, and live on TV at 10:35p. So when the hell do you sleep?

Sleep. Yeah. That's important, huh?

Needless to say, this AM/PM work schedule is a unique undertaking for anybody doing morning radio, but, I am finding a sleep system that works pretty well.

I'm up at 4a and at the station by 5a (it takes me that long to shower, brush my teeth, and do my hair). We're on the air from 6a to around 9:30a and meet and prep until about 11:30a on most days. Then, it's time for lunch and a nap. I sleep until about 4p and begin prep for the next day. By 8p it's time to head for the TV station, and after some more prep there for the EDGE, it's on the set at 10:30p and out by 11p. I'm usually back in bed by midnight...after a little more prep before bed.

Obviously, I try to prep a lot. I don't think I could do enough, really. However, I learned from studying about and listening to DAVE RYAN, that "real life" provides better content that any magazine or prep site. So, I try to make room for personal time every day: going to the mall, dates, seeing movies, watching DVR'd TV (since I never seem to catch anything live), etc.. And, I am lucky to have a team of people involved with our show who have a slightly less hectic schedule than mine, but very diverse and differing lifestyles-they bring their lives to the show everyday and that really completes things.

Whatever the case may be, I am living a dream and am so appreciative of the opportunities that have come my way.

3) How has the move to mornings suited you? Are you an enthusiastic early riser?

Frankly, I had just as hard of a time getting up at 11a when I did PM drive in AUSTIN as I do getting up at 4a, now. Certainly the biggest difference is the fact it is NEVER light out when I get up now, so, that adds a level of difficulty.

I do love having a good part of the day open, though. I tend to get a lot more done now, professionally and personally, and I have definitely learned to adopt better time management skills since my move to mornings.

4) Do you miss having MD stripes?

I do. I really do.

Selector can be a "ball and chain" at times, but, I was lucky while in AUSTIN as an MD that my PD and I shared a lot of the more "mechanical" aspects of the job.

What I really miss is the challenge of finding new music that is just right for my station and execution. I used to debate for hours with my PD and with other PD's, MD's and record people about music, and I miss the gratification of believing in a record or group and watching them succeed.

Of course, it doesn't always work out that way, but it's fun to be "right."

5) What's it like having Rob Wagman as a PD?

ROB is a smart guy who has a passion for our business. I am learning from ROB everyday and look forward to success from our partnership.

6) How's life in Charlotte? How does it compare to your previous markets?

CHARLOTTE reminds me a little of the other markets I've been in, actually. CHARLOTTE has an emerging business and social center in "Uptown," where BANK OF AMERICA and WACHOVIA are based and numerous clubs, bars, restaurants and entertainment opportunities reside. CHARLOTTE is also a very youthful city, and one which is rapidly expanding culturally and in overall size. We also have successful, and, soon to be successful sports teams in the PANTHERS (NFL) and BOBCATS (NBA), and I'm excited about my role as one of the BOBCATS' in-arena emcees, as I think both of these organizations bring added recognition to our city and add a "big city" feel. For all of these reasons, CHARLOTTE reminds me of both DALLAS and AUSTIN.

Now, when it comes to politics and overall lifestyle, there are few similarities to TEXAS (AUSTIN, specifically)...but that's not surprising, is it?

7) What is your favorite part of the job?

I love it when we do something on the show that REALLY gets people talking. Whether it was a stunt, a topic or something community oriented, I don't think there is any other aspect of the on-air part of our business as fulfilling as when you know you hit a "home run" with an idea and people remind you of it.

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

I grew up listening to KZZP in PHOENIX, and I contend that my passion for great Top 40 radio was fostered by my exposure to that station and then many talented personalities who passed through there (and one that is still there). In fact, here is my list (I am entitled to one opportunity for name-dropping, right?) :: DAVE RYAN, SUPERSNAKE, BRUCE KELLY, STEVE GODDARD, JONATHON BRANDMEIER, and the many, many other people who yielded my constant calls to the request line as a young kid. I'm sure they all hated me...

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

I said it the last time it was asked of me, and I'll say it again : "NEVER SAY NO!"

I have come across so many people in my short career who say thay want to be in radio, and may even go as far as to get a internship at a radio station, or a job as a board-op (or EVEN a less than desirable airshift in some cases), to then find that our business isn't what they "thought" it would be. The reality, is, that it IS what they thought it would be, but these people may not comprehend the amount of passion and determination it takes, aside from talent, to gain the opportunities to be successful.

So, I think my point is simply: if you want "it" bad enough, and someone opens the door and gives you an opportunity (at any level), find a way to show that person, and the people around you, that you are passionate, committed and available to learn and to work. I believe the early sacrifices, and perhaps even continued sacrifice that some of the best in our business are asked to make at times, result in a worthy dividend.

I don't mean to overly romanticize things, but I believe these things to be true, and I try to continue to be mindful of them.

10) What is the current state of the radio 'talent pool'?

I do think there are some strong up-and-comers out there, and, I hope to continue to grow and learn and become one of them and to someday earn my place among the "greats." I have found so many of the very best in our industry right now (both on air and in programming, and in management for that matter), who, in addition to being very talented, are open to helping facilitate the growth of new talent.

I get such a kick out of the fact that I am able to network and trade ideas with some of the people I grew up listening to, and some who I listen to today and admire. Many of them have even taken the time to talk to me about my work, and given me valuable advice, for which I am always appreciative.

Bonus #1. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A lawyer or a pilot.

I went to college at SMU in Dallas with an emphasis on "Pre-Law," but, couldn't kick the radio bug and here I am.

I did become a pilot, though: Single Engine Airplane, Commercially Rated with an Instrument Rating.