10 Questions with ... Bob Waugh

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started my career at WLIR/Garden City NY in 1978 and became a key player and air personality in helping to develop the station that “Dared To Be Different.” In 1985, I moved to WXRK (92.3 K-Rock)/New York. Left NYC In 1991 to join Alternative WHFS/Washington, as APD/MD and Morning Show Host. Responsible for the development and execution of the renowned HFStival — one of the largest Alternative music festivals in the country. I joined WRNR as OM/PD in 2004.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I grew up listening to WLIR-FM on Long Island, one of the greatest, independently owned, F*%#d up radio stations ever, with an amazing, passionate airstaff that had extraordinary relationships with artists from Jerry Garcia and Joan Jett to Joey Ramone and Debby Harry. It was also an extraordinarily challenged radio station that would eventually lose its license after an epic battle with the FCC.

2. You have beaten the odds with much of your career in the same geographic area. How did you pull that off?

I've been very lucky, only having to move/change markets once in 43 years, in 1991 from New York to Washington. That's almost unheard of in radio. I always thought changing markets can come with big rewards, but also big risks. I was willing to uproot my family only once. When my kids had settled, there were opportunities I turned away from.

3. What has been your biggest career highlight?

I’ll mention just one.

On April Fool’s Day in 2005, we changed format. WRNR became WOMB. The Womb – Testosterone-free radio. We played nothing but female artists. Liz Phair, Fiona Apple, Hole, Joan Jett, L7, PJ Harvey, Lucinda Williams, Tori Amos, and on and on...

Hosted exclusively by female jocks. Kathryn Lauren, Gina Crash, Carrie Evans. We had some exceedingly stupid imaging, like “Putting the PMS into Perfect Music Selection.” It was way over the top, and a lot of work for just one day of programming, but listeners bought it, because the pain of WHFS flipping to a Spanish language format, just 3 months prior, was still a fresh wound. At the end of the day, Alex Cortright, Rob Timm and I busted down the studio door to apologize for the joke and return to WRNR by playing Nick Lowe’s “All Men Are Liars.”

The Washington Post picked up the story and ran it the next day on the front page of the Style section.

4. What are some of your biggest challenges as an independently owned station?

Independently owned or not, the biggest challenge remains being enthusiastic and supportive of sales. Generating advertising opportunities without compromising your artistic/intelligent approach to programming. At the end of the day, if your content and creativity does not translate to revenue, you’re not going to last very long. I think there’s great value promoting your independence. One of our imaging liners is “Independently Owned, Questionably Operated.” I’ve had some push-back from some people about that, but it resonates with listeners because it’s “real.”

5. What stations do you like to keep track of?

The Triple A format is so fragmented. We look at stations that are willing to step out and take an occasional shot, the ones that combine intuition and true music passion with all the research tools available today. Streaming data is the new Soundscan. BDS, but not to follow the chart like sheep, but to interpret what seems to be working and what is not, relative to your own playlist. We always put an emphasis on what we feel is right for our market. There’s a reason we played Fugazi at WHFS. There’s a reason why we have supported Beach House and Snail Mail the way we have at WRNR, and the Maryland band Pressing Strings or Annapolis High School graduate Rayland Baxter, and Easton’s Maggie Rogers.

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

Just recently there’s been chatter about the demise of the percentage of “new music” on the radio. While that may be statistically true for other formats, I don’t see it at AAA. Further, the state of creativity and the sheer volume of new artists crossing my desk every day has not diminished, so I’m gonna go Mark Twain on this and say it’s been said that reports of the death of new music are greatly exaggerated. I will say, quite happily, that the percentage of female artists on playlists seems to have grown over the last decade

7. How will your life change after leaving broadcasting?

I will stay informed but try to consume less news.

8. Greatest song you never played on the radio?

Rhapsody in Blue. Pick any Philharmonic.

9. Is this retirement or a soul-searching recharge to learn more about what lights you up?

Not using the “R” word, lol. After a few months of travel, I’ll be looking to return, but most likely not in a management situation, unless it’s something irresistible.

10. What will you miss the most about being a programmer?

Probably the ability to have a thought, a creative idea, in the car on the way to work, then making it come to fruition on the air that same day. Throwing ideas against a wall, being unafraid of failure, knowing it’s all “in the ether” soon, anyway. It’s all about the promo, and t’s all about batting average.

Care to share your sign off song?

There are three in contention. (This will be a game-time decision): Fun Boy Three “The Lunatics Are Taking Over The Asylum” Ben Rector “Living My Best Life” The Libertines “Music When The Lights Go Out”

What’s the first thing you are going to do after your last broadcast?

Funny you should ask! My old pal Pat Ferrise just sent me a bottle of Dom! Maybe a dinner at Chris Blackwell’s The Caves resort in Negril.

Last Non-Industry Job:

Dad/Parent

What band or artist did you see perform live more than any other?

Probably a tie between Radiohead and N.R.B.Q.

Favorite Artists of All-Time:

Jack White Radiohead Elvis Costello My Morning Jacket Jeff Buckley Band of Horses P.J. Harvey Beatles Robyn Hitchcock Ray LaMontagne Squeeze Ramones Graham Parker Erika Wennerstrom Nick Lowe Beck Talking Heads Paul Simon Wild Belle Fountains of Wayne Parker Millsap Brandi Carlile The Rolling Stones Tom Waits…… how much space do you have?