10 Questions with ... Bob Waugh

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Seven years at WLIR/Long Island, N.Y; five years at K-Rock/ New York City; 13 years at WHFS/Washington; and the last five years here at WRNR/Annapolis.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I cut my teeth on WLIR, back when they played everything from the Sex Pistols to Pat Metheny. I used to love summers in the Hamptons, where you could get WBCN at night.

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

I've been very lucky, only having to move/change markets once in 30 years, and that move, in 1991 from New York to Washington, was made by choice, not necessity. That's almost unheard of in radio.

3. What has been your biggest career highlight?

Without a doubt, forging personal relationships with artists. There have been some moments when an artist has publicly thanked me for helping them in their career-- in an album liner note, on stage at a gig or in the case of someone like Robyn Hitchcock, with a hand-made Christmas card. I just returned from this year's SXSW, where Citizen Cope was performing; he was kind enough to invite me as his guest. Also, having played a prominent role in the creation and evolution of the HFStival was very gratifying for me.

4. Do you think your talents and tastes are a good fit for WRNR?

Well, I would certainly hope so!

5. How would you describe the music on the station?

Adventurous. Loud. Bouncy. Serious. Jovial. Smart. Stupid. Unique. Familiar. In a single word: Diverse.

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

Independently owned or not, the biggest challenge is being supportive of sales and generating advertising opportunities without compromising our artistic and intelligent approach to programming.

7. What are the music meetings like with your programming partner Alex Cortright?

We try to limit our listening sessions -- on "add" day -- to about 10 records, but are always seeking new, deserving artists and songs to add to our repertoire.

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

he sheer volume of the music that's out there and under consideration for WRNR at any given time can be overwhelming. Finding the time just to listen to everything that should be under consideration is a constant challenge.

9. What do you see as the next emerging music trend?

Anything and everything that Brian Burton is involved with -- as a producer or an artist in his own right. Band of Horses will be the next band to break out -- in a major way.

10. 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 a shot, the ones that trust their intuition and show true passion for music. We try to put an emphasis on what we feel is right for our particular market ... always.

If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?

Probably something involving my first passion -- film.

Last Non-Industry Job:

Undercover security guard in Alexander's Department Store, Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall, Long Island. My job was to watch for people stealing record albums from behind a two-way mirror. Really!

First Record Ever Purchased:

Beatles 7" 45 -- "Hello Goodbye" b/w "I Am The Walrus"

First Concert:

Jethro Tull at Nassau Coliseum

Favorite Band Of All-Time:

Radiohead