10 Questions with ... Greg Travis

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

MD/PD Alternative WBZV/Blacksburg VA 97-98, Mediabase music researcher 99-05, MD/PD Alternative WZZI/Roanoke, VA 99-04, APD/MD Active Rock WBRW and News/Talk WFNR-A/Roanoke, VA 05-08, Sirius XM sports producer 2009, PD WROV/WJJS 09-present ... that's as brief as I can really make it.

1. Why Radio?

Because playing Madden and Rock Band all day wasn't paying very well. With a father in programming and a mother in radio sales, it was kind of hard to avoid.

2. To date, what is the highlight of your radio career?

I won a CD from my current competitior when I was 14. Melissa Etheridge "Yes I Am". Thanks a lot. I suppose that's better than the nothing I won from ROV or JJS in the '90s. Ohhh, my career ... this, today, right now, programming 2 heritage radio stations I grew up listening to.

3. What makes the Roanoke appealing to you?

Trash pickup you can set your watch to. I spent my teens and most of my 20s in this area, so it's home.

4. You have a team doing afternoons at 'JJS. What made you decide to go that route?

The former morning team of Jay Styles and Nicky was in place in PM drive when I arrived in the summer of 2009, and it sounded great. When Styles left for mornings at WABB, I was given the go-ahead to re-hire and continue the afternoon team show. Tyler Kruze from nights at Z104/Madison stepped right in and not only didn't miss a beat in working with Nicky, but really took the daypart up a few notches. It's like having a highly interactive morning show from 2-6pm every day but still playing 12 songs an hour; they're all over Facebook and Ttwitter during the show and constantly taking calls. They're aimed right at the technology generation, giving them an interactive alternative to "tight and bright, that was/this is across the street. I'm really spoiled having an afternoon team, so believe me, I don't take it for granted !

5. When you've had a rough day, what do you do to get back to your happy place?

I listen to hours of Kelly Kelly Kelly's outtakes. Usually, a Two and a Half Men marathon does the trick.

6. What would you like to do more of promotionally in 2011 on 'JJS?

I'd like fewer huge grand prize giveaways with one winner; more smaller "oh wow" type prizes with more winners. We did this during our last book on WROV and had great results.

7. Think back to being a 10 year-old. What did you want to be when you grew up?

From the time I turned 10 to turning 11, I went from ESPN's #5 amateur baseball draft prospect to radio nerd. Randy Johnson wishes he could throw my slider.

8. What do you say to friends that complain to you about say...radio -vs- their ipod?

My friends are awesome because they lie to me and tell me they always listen to my stations and that they don't even own an iPod. But if they ever get tired of the charade, I'd tell them an iPod will never tell you when your school is closed, that a major roadway is closed, or what outrageous thing their favorite celebrity just said or did.

9. Do you have a radio mentor(s)?

My father probably taught me more about programming than everyone else combined. But I presently consult my mom more often than my dad because she still consults in radio sales. When I have a programming or promotion idea because, I run it by her because she'll give me the sales pros and cons, and how to maximize it and sell the idea to the sales department.

10. What do most newcomers to the Roanoke area find most surprising?

I'm telling you, the trash pickup schedule is outstanding. Really just how big this market is, geographically. it's about 60 miles across with 2 truly different, independent cities we have to cater to in Roanoke and Lynchburg.

If you were to leave Radio and music today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be?

I took the LSAT's once, so the one occupation I can safely rule out is lawyer. I'd probably be a pretty good cab driver... I've logged hundreds of hours doing cab driver missions in Grand Theft Auto, so I have experience.

If you could only watch one movie, one TV show and listen to one CD, for two months, which would you choose?

The Big Lebowski, Two And A Half Men (see #5 above), Pink Floyd "Animals"