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10 Questions with ... Sean McHugh
February 11, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. The name of the station started as a play on words similar to the "Which" and "What" stages at the Bonnaroo Festival. The very first promotion or contest we held was "Name That Station." We left it up to the listeners to vote on a name for the newest radio station in the market. There were hundreds of submissions and an overwhelming response to keep it "That Station," so we did!
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I learned about a broadcasting school that taught TV/radio and helped with job placement after graduating. The Broadcasting Institute of Maryland was a great fit for me. I interned at a small AM station and got my first paid gig in radio producing a polka show! Go figure! An Irishmen running a polka hour!
I went on to work at WRNR/Annapolis as well as WNAV. I then went to the Ocean City/Salisbury market at WZBH and WGBG, where I did nights and ended up becoming PD/OM of the two stations for almost 15 years. I am currently in Raleigh at That Station 95.7, hosting mornings and programming a fun eclectic mix of music that spans a variety of formats/genres.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
Growing up, the radio was always on around the house. In the kitchen, car and garage. Not having an ounce of musical talent, I knew I wouldn't be the next Clapton or McCartney. Discovering the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland changed my future and allowed me to work with music.
2. Tell us about the launch of That Station. Is it an internet station that also has a signal?
That Station was a concept that started as an app-based station that offered up deep cuts, obscure artists, and acts that come through the market -- selling out shows every time they come -- as well as local bands. Our focus was to serve the community. That Station also has the approach of putting music and community first and not running "spots" or "stopsets," but more of a conversational approach or message from the local businesses that we invite to join us on the air. That Station is available via app and stream and was put on 95.7 FM, which can be heard in the Triangle area. (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill)
3. How did you come up with the unique name for it?
The name of the station started as a play on words similar to the "Which" and "What" stages at the Bonnaroo Festival. The very first promotion or contest we held was "Name That Station." We left it up to the listeners to vote on a name for the newest radio station in the market. There were hundreds of submissions and an overwhelming response to keep it "That Station," so we did!
4. How would you describe the music on the station?
The music on That Station is very eclectic. Folk, funk, rock, reggae, roots, soul, blues as well as homegrown! Local bands and artists as well as music from all over the state of NC -- unsigned bands to major labels. We are a blend of Triple A and Americana.
5. Tell us about the on-air staff.
I'm the morning curator and take pride in a laid back, music-intensive show that highlights local shows and events. I enjoy having guests come by to co-curate an hour or two. Whether it's a local brew master, the mayor, musicians or a non-profit, we have a lot of fun sharing tunes from our collections and talking up community events or activities. We offer the lunch hour up to our listeners. The Listener Curated Lunch is exactly that; our listeners create the playlist during the noon hour on That Station. Kristen curates the afternoons with a variety of features (5 o'clock Traffic Jam - set of jambands /live cuts)
6. You have a couple specialty shows - tell us about them.
That Old North State Radio Hour is hosted by David Menconi, of the News and Observer publication in Raleigh, on Wednesday nights at 7. An hour of music with ties to or from NC.
The Blues Kitchen is an hour of the blues on Thursday nights at 7p. Local host and Blues historian Near Blind Ken hosts a show covering the blues from the past, present, and the up-and-coming bluesmen/women. As well as a lot of local blues artists.
7. Give us some insight in the Raleigh/Durham market.
Raleigh is such a diverse market that does extremely well and has a ton of options when it comes to music -- small clubs and bars to amphitheaters and a variety of year-round festivals. So many great bands route through here several times a year, but up until now they were non-existent on the radio in this market.
8. What has been your biggest challenges at the station so far?
Some challenges have been our signal strength. The number-one question we get is about the signal. We started off as and position ourselves as an app-based station first, but offer the broadcast option for those who can tune in and listen in the Raleigh/Durham area.
9. What would surprise people most about the station?
That we are a commercial station. We pride ourselves in sounding like a free-form, community based, local resource for our listeners. We toss the traditional "radio rules" aside and serve our passionate, enthusiastic listeners.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ...
... caffeine! If it's not coffee, then its Diet Coke!
Bonus Questions
Last non-industry job:
Certified Peer Support Specialist - working with and helping folks who battle addiction.
First record ever purchased:
Fat Boys - Crushin'
First concert:
Tesla
Favorite band of all-time:
Phish
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
I enjoy time outdoors with my wife and two kids. I also love to catch a show at least once a week!
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