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 -- 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. I loved (and still love) the finished project of an hour.

2. How has the station evolved at WMMM since taking over?

We’re just not afraid to be mass appeal anymore. Cume is a good thing. While we definitely play things you can’t get everywhere else on the dial, we like to play things that fit our sound that are successful at other formats. Alternative, Country, Hot AC, even CHR. If it fits our sound and brand, we play it. No need to label it Triple A.

3. Congratulations on the station hitting 30 years on the air! What are your plans for celebrating this milestone?

Jonathan and Kitty (who have been on the air together for 21 years!) will be interviewing former staff, musicians and local celebrates all under the umbrella of “30 years in 30 days.” We will be celebrating the entire month of June by highlighting the past and how we got to where we are now! Normally our brand is about the listener, but our listener loves Triple M.

4. 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.

5. How has the station adjusted to the new Audacy initiative with the company?

We’re still the same radio station but it has been enhanced for 2021 and beyond. Audacy is able to help us improve our weakness by offering promotions, contesting and tools that we wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise … on the flipside, they take our strengths by promoting what Triple M does best inside the app and companywide like Studio M sessions and themed weekends highlighted in the Audacy App for all to see.

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. Are venues and live events starting to happen again in Madison?

Everyone said it would be like a light switch and it sure was/is. Concerts and events are back in full swing, and we have even just announced our 30th birthday Block Party! We're bringing back The Record Company, with special guest JJ Wilde, November 9th at the Sylvee.

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 throughout 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.