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10 Questions with ... Kendall Stewart
June 11, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- On-air host (Chagigah, Daytime, Standing Room Only), January 2010-Present
- Street Team, May 2010-September 2011
- Music Staff, May 2011-May 2012
- Promotions Director, September 2011-May 2012
- Music Director, Currently
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I was that kid who walked to middle school listening to Howard Stern on her Walkman and laughing to herself. At the time his show was syndicated on WBCN and I would walk home in the afternoon without changing the station. WBCN and later WFNX became my main sources for music, and I loved listening to on-air personalities like Nick Carter at WBCN, and Julie Kramer and Paul Driscoll at WFNX. Actually, I wanted to be Julie Kramer -- to me she was the coolest person around. Then when I was in high school I had the opportunity to record some public service announcements for a local radio station and fell in love with the atmosphere of being in a studio and behind a microphone.
2. Who are your mentors at WERS?
Jack Casey, our GM ... D Simpson, our OM ... and Sara Morgan, our Marketing Director, have taught me so much from the basics of Triple A to tech training to the ins-and-outs of radio as a business. I would not be where I am if they hadn't seen something special in me and worked to bring that out. Former PD Katie DiMartile also took me under her wing this past year and taught me so much. I am as grateful to her as I am to Jack, D and Sara.
3. Tell us about the other positions you have held at WERS.
Prior to becoming the Music Director, I held the position of Promotions Director. I was responsible for giveaways and contests, writing copy for prize sheets to be read on-air, contacting winners, managing a street team and overseeing events such as concerts and music festivals. It was a very fun job because of all of the events I got to attend, such as the Life Is Good Festival and so many concerts. It was also very beneficial because I got a real hands-on experience with marketing, in which I did not have much of a background.
4. How would you describe the music on the station?
Our daytime programming is a great blend of folk, indie rock, vintage, soul and so much more, but at the same time we have rockers on weeknights from 7-10p, which is Boston's home for Reggae. In addition to all of that, we have hip-hop on weeknights and family-friendly weekends, so WERS really has something for everyone.
5. How are the music meetings conducted?
I have a music staff of 10 people and we get together once a week. During these meetings we listen to new records and discuss them as to which ones fit with the sound of the station and which ones don't. It is through this process that we're able decide on what to add for the week.
6. How many songs do you have active in your library?
About 3,000 songs are active in our library.
7. What new bands are you most excited about?
Right now I can't get enough of Mona. They're from Nashville, which is one of my favorite cities in the U.S., so that's a plus. I also really like The Lumineers and Of Monsters and Men.
8. What is your typical day like?
My typical day is busy! There isn't ever a moment when I don't have a specific task to do. I am constantly responding to e-mails, and I try to stay at least one day ahead on the station playlists, so I spend a lot of time using Selector. I edit songs for profanity and time as well. And, of course, I have music on constantly, whether it's our own station or I'm listening to something new that was sent to me in the mail. Oh, I also open a lot of mail.
9. Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years I would like to be doing exactly what I'm doing right now. I would love to be the music director at a Triple A or Alternative station. I love my job so much it's hard to imagine ever doing something else. I feel like I am exactly where I'm meant to be.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ...
... Candy. I love candy. Sour Patch Watermelons are my all-time favorite or Reese's Big Cups.
Bonus Questions
Last non-industry job:
I scooped ice cream at J.P. Licks for two years. I have really strong forearms; ice cream is heavy!
First record ever purchased:
It was so long ago, but I'm pretty sure it was NSync's self-titled debut.
First concert:
Cheap Trick (for free!) at City Hall in Boston.
Favorite band of all-time:
Butch Walker' that man is a genius. His lyrics are so deep and powerful, but at the same time he knows how to write perfect pop songs for other artists. And what a live performer! He's the whole package; he just gets it. And his book is pretty good, too.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work and school?
When I'm not working or at school I'm actually an actress. I do a lot of fringe-theater here in Boston. It's so much fun to just goof around on stage and what better way to escape the stress of the day than by pretending to be someone else? I've found that acting helps my on-air voice and ability, as well, so it comes full circle.
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