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10 Questions with ... Dori Zori
November 6, 2017
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started in 1990 as a volunteer DJ at the fabulous WMSE/Milwaukee, all the while working full-time jobs to pay the bills as an insurance claim processor to a mortgage banker to Fragrance Sales with Ralph Lauren. Then, became the full-time Underwriting Director at WMSE from 2008-2012. I left to pursue my dream job in the summer of 2012 over at WYMS.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
My mom always had music playing everywhere we went. Radio was always a big part of that. When I was 20, my friend Scott was on the air at WMSE as a volunteer DJ and needed help running his 3-6a show while he studied for exams. I helped, got the bug and never wanted to leave. I got his old time slot at WMSE a few weeks later when he graduated.
2. How did you get your current gig at RadioMilwaukee?
88Nine DJ (now PD) Jordan Lee is a friend of mine, and when he was moving back to the morning show and needed a partner in crime, he called me. It was the right time for me to make a change, and our dreams of doing a radio show together finally came true.
3. What part of your job do you like best?
Music has always gotten me through good and bad times. I get to start off every work day playing four hours of it and if it can turn someone's day around ... how great is that?
4. What is your show prep routine?
Thankfully, I always have a musical jukebox playing in my head. A lot of the songs I play just pop in my head. The vibe can change with the weather, a great phone call from a listener or based on some weird article I just read on social media. There's a song for every mood in my brain. But I'm lucky, I also have a lot of great friends and blog posts that I use to learn about new songs.
5. How do you approach your show being on a public radio station?
The great thing is, I know that our listeners are smart. They are searching for something different. They like to be challenged and entertained. The best part is, with public radio we are encouraged to just be ourselves. No characters/alternate personas needed. Which is great, because I'm a crap actor.
6. What is the mix of music to information on the air?
About 90% music, 10% information. But that info comes in a variety of forms. From our Community Stories series where we go out and record two-to-three-minute stories about the organization and people working to make our city better for everyone, to fun facts about the artists we play. The mix is a great snapshot of what is happening in Milwaukee.
7. How often do you attend station events?
As much as I can! I love meeting our listeners and some of them have become close friends. It's also a bonus that we put on some pretty fun events!
8. What local charities or organizations are you most passionate about?
I'm a BIG fan of Girls Rock Milwaukee. It's a week-long camp that uses music to empower girls, ages 8-16, from all backgrounds. During the weeklong camp, the girls meet, form bands, learn their instruments and how to play some covers and write their own songs.
Sessions include the art of gig poster making and creating their own band shirts, but they also attend sessions in conflict resolution, yoga and mindfulness and careers for women in music. At the end of the week, the bands are performing a showcase at a local venue -- Turner Hall Ballroom (the same stage that rock stars like St. Vincent, Sharon Jones and Warpaint have played).
9. What has been the highlight(s) of your career so far?
Probably meeting and interviewing AdRock from the Beastie Boys when he came to town in the late '90s with his band BS 2000.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ...
... an '80s song popping up in my head.
Bonus Questions
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Fragrance modeling for Ralph Lauren/Armani
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Blondie's Eat To The Beat
FIRST CONCERT:
Lenny & The Squigtones @Pabst Theater in the late '70s.
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
It's gotta be Duran Duran.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY WITH TIME AWAY FROM WORK:
Definitely hanging out with my friends, being mellow, watching bad movies, drinking good tequila ... and if the night ends in a kitchen dance party, that's a successful night.
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