10 Questions with ... Barbara Dacey

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

WMVY: Part-time DJ 1985-1988; MD, evenings, middays 1988-1993; PD, middays 1993-2005; Dir./Worldwide Programming, middays 2005-present

1. You were a performing singer-songwriter before you got into radio. Tell us a bit about that.

I lived in Cambridge, MA from the mid-'70s to the mid-'80s. I played solo and with a band at various clubs and coffeehouses in the Boston area, on Nantucket and on the Vineyard. I was also a modern dance accompanist and composer for several Boston modern dancers and choreographers.

2. How did you become interested in radio?

I have an early memory of radio as a teen, listening in the car as my family drove up to New Hampshire to ski. My dad loved music and many times his voice would be the loudest as we sang along to the songs. I remember Roger Miller's "King of the Road" in particular -- that was a hit in our station wagon. I understood then the power of radio and music to unite and inspire.

I worked at my college station at Skidmore and this gave me an idea of what it meant to mix music and present. I started doing voiceovers in the mid-'80s and realized very quickly that I needed to get behind a microphone as often as possible so I could improve my chops ... and that was when I offered my services to WMVY. So, I guess, even though I never imagined that radio would become my career, I was headed in that direction all along.

3. You are now celebrating 25 years at WMVY. How has the station evolved over that time?

The heart and basic feel of mvyradio has remained the same over the quarter-century-plus that we have been on the air. Musically, we have grown with the changes in music ... and become more focused, precise and fluid in our delivery of the programming. Also, over the years we have added several locally produced specialty shows, including "The Blues at Eight," "Shakedown Stream," "Uncharted Waters," "Just 4 Guys" and "The Local Music Café," which has added depth. With our mvyradio On The Road series, we have amassed hundreds of live performances and interviews in our archives at mvyradio.com. Finally, we have always had knowledgeable and personable on-air talent and have been able to maintain that all-important element of our sound.

4. A few years back the station made a substantial commitment to the online element of the station. What has been your role in developing that?

We started streaming in 1998 with a clear idea that the radio station could be a very compelling presence on the web. Only a few stations were streaming at that time, so we had to pretty much figure out from scratch how to technically present WMVY's commercial terrestrial programming as a non-commercial offering on the web. Following the lead of station owner Joe Gallagher, I worked on visioning the programming of the station as a worldwide offering, all the time maintaining the sweet, unpretentious local feel of our island station. I continue as part of the expert team that includes Joe, mvyradio's PD PJ Finn, our Marketing Dir. Gary Guthrie, our Webmaster Todd Carley, and really the entire staff of the station.

5. What do you like best about your job?

Being on the air; interviewing artists; producing Friends of mvyradio fundraising events; being part of an organization that has so many talented and committed individuals working for it.

6. What has been your biggest career highlight?

That's hard to say. How about a few highlights? Becoming mvyradio program director, interviewing Lou Reed, broadcasting and streaming from hotel rooms and festivals all over the country for mvyradio On The Road.

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

The power of openness and generosity of spirit

8. What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?

Learn to understand the affect that your radio station and the music you play has on your audience -- and your potential audience. Cultivate an openness to ideas and suggestions outside of your subjective opinions, while being confident in what you know to be true.

9. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully, still at mvyradio. And hopefully playing and performing my music more often.

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

I'd perform and write music. And continue to expand my work as part of The Bodhi Path Buddhist Center.

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

Meditating, playing guitar, reading, practicing yoga.

Last non-industry job:

Singer-songwriter; modern dance composer and accompanist

First record ever purchased:

Jimi Hendrix "Are you Experienced"

First concert:

The Beatles at Boston Garden 1964

Favorite artist of all-time:

Joni Mitchell