10 Questions with ... Chase Daniels

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• WMXQ (102-9 The Point)/Jacksonville, FL - weekend/swing
• WAPE (The Big Ape 95.1)/Jacksonville, FL - APD/MD/afternoon drive
• WSTR (Star 94.1)/Atlanta - Programming/afternoon drive
• WNTR (107-9 The Mix)/Indianapolis - PD
• WZPL (99.5 ZPL)/Indianapolis, IN Programming/afternoon drive

1. How did you become interested in radio?

Some people get into radio to be…well…on the radio. I got into radio because I loved figuring out clocks. Weird, right? Literally at 12 years old I knew when a personality was supposed to do a talk break but jingled instead. This is the sickness I call "OCD programming." I've always liked the way an hour came together… Sweepers, talk breaks, where the personality did prep, legal IDs, jingles, where the spot sets were placed...etc. I loved (and still love) the finished project of an hour.

2. What adjustments have you made at WMMM since taking over?

Triple M is a heritage radio station with a big morning show (Jonathan and Kitty). Same format since the sign on back in '91. So when someone like me comes in with new eyes, you can't help but get excited about the things the station has been doing and want to build upon those things. I certainly didn't need to re-invent anything when I arrived. My goal has been to be a sounding board and someone who our staff could bounce ideas off of. We've really simplified some things and I'd like to think we're doing a better job of taking advantage of the things we're known for in Madison.

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

105-5 Triple M is the sound of Madison. That's exactly what we say on the air as well. Some of the music you might hear elsewhere in the market, but there's also a big portion of our playlist that you won't hear anywhere else. Before you Shazam or stream it ... you gotta hear it ... and we love to expose people to new music while continuing to play what's made Triple M so successful.

4. How do you and Jonathan Suttin decide on what music to play?

For me, it's not about how a song sounds or if I like it. We have a formula that's been successful and we stick to it. If/when a song hits all the marks, we move it up, leave it alone or take it out. We have a formula when it comes to new music too, but I also look to Jonathan. He's got a terrific sense for what's going to work on Triple M and I think we balance each other pretty well. Jesse Garon (Triple M midday guy and WOLX MD) is also in the meetings and if Jonathon and I are ever on opposite sides, he's the tie breaker.

5. How do you feel about the current climate of music?

I'm a big fan of "Crossover" music. I want the music to be so big on Triple M that one day MIX 105.1 will play it. We're just gonna be first on it. But I'm all about it going everywhere else. There's more of those type of records today than there were five years ago for Triple A.

6. How do you stay in tune with your audience?

Our audience lives the Triple M lifestyle. We don't have to fake it. They show up at our events, our remotes, our morning show appearances and our Studio M sessions. We see them weekly. They're very vocal and they love to tell us what they like, what they love and even what they don't like -- we just have to ask them the right questions. This is their station.

7. What are some of the station's key annual events?

Project M has gotta be one of the coolest events I've ever been a part of. Think American Idol for Madison. Every week for a month or two, Jonathan hosts (as well as local celebrity judges) "Project M," where at a bar, local bands play music and get eliminated by the judges and by listeners voting on our website. The winner gets some cool prizes, cash and their song played on Triple M.

Triple M also has a beer called "Almost HoMMMe" that you can buy around town where most of the proceeds go to an organization for homeless families and children to get them back on their feet.

8. What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

We've got to be entertaining and engaging. Nothing we do today will mean anything tomorrow, if we're not entraining. Compelling radio. That's what hooks listeners and keeps them engaged with our brand. I may not be successful 100% of the time, but that's always my goal.

9. What would surprise people most about the station?

My joke about Triple M in the building is that Jonathan and Kitty can go on the air and say "you've gotta see this dirt pile ... this is the nicest dirt pile I've ever seen" and 500 people will show up. That's the power of this radio station. We have had little baby bands come in, we've had huge bands come in (Dave Matthews) to perform downstairs in our "Studio M" space. You wouldn't believe the lines of people who show up just to be a part of what we're doing ... doesn't matter the name. They wanna be a part of something special. We'll never take that for granted.

10. What is the one truth that has help up throughput your career?

Network. It's how I've gotten every job.

Last non-industry job:

Ticket taker at Regal Cinema

First record ever purchased:

Tape: Billy Joel's Greatest Hits & CD: Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill

First concert:

Weird Al. Don't judge me.

Favorite artist of all-time:

Billy Joel

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

My wife and I love to get in the car, with the windows down and explore. We have no plans when we get in the car ... we just drive. We'll find a cool restaurant or park and get out and enjoy.