10 Questions with ... Alex Cortright

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• WTMD - Three years
• WRNR- 15 years
• A host of Washington D.C. and Baltimore stations WOCT/WARW/WJHU (music and news)
• Metro Networks (news) - Three years
• Voiceovers - 20 years

1. How did you become interested in radio?

As a child, I had a cheap, little red plastic transistor radio that I carried around with me (even when the batteries died). It was like communing with the unseen cosmos. All of these songs and ideas would just fall out of the speaker like some sonic cornucopia. In college, when I discovered that you could actually participate in this sorcery, I jumped in head first.

2. How has the transition been from commercial to non-comm radio?

Pretty effortless. The business model is different and so I've had to learn how to pitch during our fund drives. With very few exceptions, my on-air presentation is similar, if not the same.

3. How do you approach mornings differently at non-comm?

WTMD's listeners are accustomed to swimming in a much deeper and broader pool, and this has been the source of much joy for me! Really digging into the music and telling stories about songs, albums and artists is so much fun. And when listeners hear this enthusiasm, they respond in kind.

4. I imagine it is fun to be introducing the audience to a broader pallet of music, too! Tell us about that.

It's a blast. Our listeners are very receptive to songs they've not yet heard (new or otherwise) and for a DJ who spent many years in commercial radio, this part of the gig is tremendously gratifying.

5. Do you have any regular features on your show?

I greet the new day with an acoustic sunrise feature each morning. On Mondays, I present a brain teaser segment (identify the theme kind of thing) to get all of brains working. I also feature film and book reviews and album appreciations.

6. What do you like best about your job?

Those moments when a song or a comment improves life, however fleetingly, for a listener. This is powerful stuff. It's a kind of magic that I don't fully understand, but work hard to achieve as frequently as I am able.

7. How often do you participate in station events?

I host a collaboration between the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and WTMD called 'Pulse' where artists from our world (Dawes, Dr. Dog, Esperanza Spaulding, Lake Street Dive, etc.) perform with the BSO. I also help out with our signature summer concert series, First Thursdays, which now draw up to 15,000 people.

I typically have a panel discussion at the Baltimore and Annapolis Book festivals, host the Concert for the Chesapeake Bay on Maryland Public Television, and a number of other music (and art) related events around the region.

8. Do you still pursue your voiceover work as well?

Yes, I have a number of clients I work with regularly. I will on occasion take on new clients and projects, too.

9. What is the best advice you would give to young folks who want to get into radio?

Actually, this is a concern. I don't see as many younger people interested in our beloved medium as I would like. I fear that without the traditional training ground of overnights and weekends, the industry has to rely on college radio, podcasting, and innate talent perhaps more than we should. I would tell them to start anywhere, work hard to improve, and keep their ears open for opportunity.

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

... good coffee, a hug from my wife, and at least one electrifying song.

Last non-industry job:

Bartending/catering

First record ever purchased:

Ziggy Stardust

First concert:

J. Geils Band

Favorite band of all-time:

As of 10/11/17 at 12:34p, it would be The Beatles. In 10 minutes it may be David Bowie. But after lunch, it could be Wilco. Or ...

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

I like to garden, cook and read.