10 Questions with ... Noah Sherwood

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

After a wasted youth, started getting wasted as an adult at these locations: KTXY-KCMQ/Columbia, MO; KSPW/Springfield, MO; WBZZ/Pittsburgh; WIZM/La Crosse, WI; WWQM/Madison, WI; and now WWCT/Peoria

1. How did you become interested in radio?

A teacher told me to do it. It was senior year of high school, we had a new assistant coach/government teacher. Was during football scrimmage and I was in the role of defensive captain. He heard my voice barking out calls, and pulled me aside after a play, and said, "Anyone ever tell you, 'You have a radio voice?'" Responded, "Coach, I know you're new here, but I don't think you're allowed to hit on the players." He was like, "Ah, you've got a personality too; you should definitely do radio."

2. Who were/are your mentors?

Jen O'Brien WIZM/KQYB/La Cross; Blake Barrett (Best Radio Disney host of all time!); Fletcher Keyes WWQM.

3. How did the new gig at WWCT come about?

Clearly, they were desperate. Ha ha. They had an opening. I have always loved working in Triple A and being able to be near family in the Midwest made it a very beneficial relationship to pursue. Mike, Scott and the team here is something very special.

4. How would you describe the music on the station? Any plans on changing the mix at all?

The listener and their relationship with the music is the star of the show. You never stop shining the spotlight on a star.

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

Music is so healthy. It's everywhere, and it's never been easier to feed the hunger for music.

6. Tell us a bit about the Peoria market? Is there a good local music scene?

It's incredible. I can't tell you how many times a national touring act is floored by a local opener. Long lasting relationships and collaborations can trace their genesis to Peoria. "Will is play," still has a solid foundation.

7. What are some of your biggest challenges as an independent station?

Expanding the hours in a day, week, month etc. is the top, and perhaps only challenge. Again, there's so much incredible music, artists, and opportunities for live performance, that making room for it is impossible. Still, it is a beautiful view when you don't have a ceiling.

8. Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?

Would like to be more fluent in French and still struggle with proper usage of four-letter words. This list is truly impossible to begin to fill with all the perpetual flaws that flow through these veins. Only thing mastered so far is parallel parking a station vehicle.

9. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Be yourself ... there's only ever going to be one of those. And just because you're correct doesn't mean you're right.

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

... laughing with my son.

Last non-industry job:

Bartending at 21 to, looking back at it now, there were probably a lot of non-21-year-olds there.

First record ever purchased:

James Taylor 'New Moon Shine'

First concert:

Older brother's kindergarten Christmas concert (best guess)

Favorite band of all-time:

That is too hard to determine. I have probably seen Joe Nichols, or Randy Houser perform the most. Charlie Pride is the most represented in the vinyl section. Sasha Sloan can't make songs fast enough right now. Going with Chromeo; everything they make is near pristine.

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

Spending time with family and adding stamps to the passport, but mostly family stuff.