10 Questions with ... Kendall Stewart

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Started on the air at WERS/Boston at Emerson College in 2010; became Promo Director in 2011, Music Director in 2012. After graduating from Emerson in May 2013 I went straight to WXRV/Boston until May 2014 and WUMB/Boston from August 2014 to October of 2015 when I left to head over to The Corner.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I grew up listening to Radio Disney and when my family took a trip to Disney World the main thing that I wanted to do was see the studio and meet the jocks. (That didn't happen.) As a teenager I would walk to school listening to Stern on WBCN on my Walkman and kept the station on for the music on my way back home. When WBCN went off the air, I started listening to WFNX (and continued to do so until they, too, went off the air). Somewhere along the way, I discovered WERS. I was already interested in the Emerson as a school and finding WERS sealed the deal. Except I majored in playwriting.

2. Who are your mentors?

Wow, there are so many! I've been extremely lucky over the last few years to have met so many amazing people who have helped me along the way. I'm sure I'm going to miss at least one person, so I apologize in advance!

Obviously, Jeff Sweatman and Pat Gallagher here at The Corner. Jeff teaches me new things every day and is so invested in the success of the station and of the three of us as a team, it's really inspiring. There's no need to say what an incredible air talent Pat is, and most recently has been helping me build production skills. Plus, he has a story about basically every famous person ever.

Back in Boston: Jay Moberg at WUMB spent over a year preparing me for a job like this one. Paul Driscoll from Radio BDC and formerly WFNX took me under his wing when I was 21. Paul Nelson at RCA introduced me to 90% of my favorite bands and became a great friend. I would have had a way harder time moving to Charlottesville if not for Ronda Chollock, Ian Solla-Yates and Nick Attaway. Paul Marszalek would disown me if I didn't mention him. The list goes on...

3. Tell us how you ended up at WCNR

It's pretty simple, really. Brad left, Jeff was promoted, they needed someone to fill Jeff's previous position and here I am! When I interviewed here I immediately loved everyone I met and just had a feeling I would be back. Charlottesville also is a gorgeous place -- I already knew a few people here, and my best friend lives two-and-a-half hours away. Kind of a no-brainer.

4. For those not familiar with Charlottesville, what does The Corner refer to?

A place I live near but never go to, ha ha! UVA is here and to say it's crucial to the town is an understatement. The Corner is the area where all of the students hang out -- lots of bars and restaurants etc. I went out there once and saw a girl I used to babysit in high school and that was enough for me.

5. How would you describe the music on the station?

We're a pretty alt-leaning Triple A, for sure, but we've got a good blend of genres as well. From Blink 182 and Green Day to Michael Kiwanuka, Ed Sheeran, Blind Pilot, Marian Hill. It's all in there. And Jeff just let me get away with adding The Chainsmokers, "Paris" so...

6. What new bands are you most excited about?

MUNA ALL DAY EVERY DAY. Also Margaret Glaspy, Middle Kids, Joseph, Allston Police.

7. What is your career highlights so far?

A year ago almost to the day I got to interview Andrew McMahon in D.C. before the Ten Years In Transit tour. I remember we were sitting on the ground and he was in a rush but still gave me his full attention. Everything In Transit was a huge album for me as a teenager, the first Wilderness album got me through a pretty rough time, and I didn't have my Jack's Mannequin tattoo yet but was already planning it. It's one of the Boston Strong tattoos; the major landmarks of Boston but with the lyrics "Just find the horizon" from "Swim" off of The Glass Passenger underneath. I got Zombies on Broadway two days ago and it hasn't left my car CD player and won't for a long time.

8. Tell us about your acting/theater activities.

That's a big question! I've done theater my entire life and made most of my best friends that way, so when I moved here that was the way I knew how to meet people. I auditioned for Pride and Prejudice with Gorilla Theater Productions within three weeks of moving here, got cast, and the rest is history. GTP had mainly been a children's theater up until then, but the "adults" wanted to keep working together so we formed a company. And became best friends. We're a 501c3 and most recently we converted a laundromat into a black box and formed an executive board. I've also been trying my hand at directing and choreographing for our teen troupe. I never thought I would enjoy working with teenagers but these kids are the best and I've learned as much from them as they've learned from me. Up next I'll be playing Wendla in the adult troupe's production of Spring Awakening which goes up in May.

9. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I have no clue. I wouldn't mind still being here, I love Charlottesville Radio Group and have put down roots I never expected to. But five years ago I didn't think I would ever leave Boston, so who knows?

10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ... ?

... Chapstick. People always say if you use it too much your lips will get addicted and I am proof of that. Also texting my brother, Andrew. He's one of the funniest people I've ever met and I live with two actual comedians.

Last non-industry job:

I sold half-price theater tickets in a little booth in Copley Square and Faneuil Hall. It was actually a ton of fun.

First record ever purchased:

Well, CD-wise it was probably The Spice Girls. Actual Record: Butch Walker's Sycamore Meadows.

First concert:

Cheap Trick for free at City Hall in '98 or '99.

Favorite band of all-time:

The easiest way to answer that is that I have tattoos for Butch Walker, Jack White, Walk The Moon, Jack's Mannequin, am getting a Blink 182 one soon and an Alkaline Trio one at some point in the near-ish future. Don't tell my Dad.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?

All of my time not spent at work is at the theater! Acting, ballet, listening to podcasts, reading, becoming a Degrassi scholar, changing my hair color.