10 Questions with ... Nailz

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started in undergrad at Bethune-Cookman University (college at the time) and during my days on the yard I interned at stations in Orlando, WPYO (Power 95.3), WCFB (Star 94.5) and WJHM (102 JAMZ) (RIP). May 9th, 2009 I walked across the stage; May 15th I had my first interview and on May 24th I was training to be a Board Operator at Star 94.5 (WCFB). September of that year I started doing some part time work at Power 95.3 (WPYO) and landed the night show (7p-12a) the next year. In 2014, I moved to Miami to do nights at the legendary WEDR (99 JAMZ). Now I am doing mornings back in Orlando at WPYO (POWER 95.3).

1) What's the daily routine for putting together a show?

I honestly don't believe it's a daily routine. My team and I start getting tomorrow's show together right after our last break today. Of course, there are things we do every morning when we get in the building a couple of hours before the show like getting the celeb and entertainment news together, topics to chat about on-air, what happened in our city over the last 24 hours, what's going on in our city right now and more. I like to say "even when we're not working, we are working."

2) Would you now share how you put forth what you and the crew have planned?

I'm that one guy who always has different ideas. I will drive a person crazy with ideas. I like to do things really big, too! Everything that we want to do ... we plan on amplifying that! Make big things even bigger! Here's an example of one thing I plan on doing. I believe most stations now have performance studios in their buildings and they have these meet-and-greets for listeners. Our crew is doing these meet-and-greets and interviewing our artists in front of those listeners. We're doing that while letting other listeners watch it on our social media platforms and on our station app! When I was in Miami, my PD and I created a live show feature called Battle JAMZ where listeners would battle two songs on air and they would vote for the winner on our station app. That's an example of my way of thinking. I'm always looking to find ways to continue to be innovative.

3) How did you get into radio?

When I went to college I was an undecided major and then became an English major. Halfway through my freshman year I realized that I didn't want to be a baby sitter for other peoples' kids eight hours of the day, every day. I salute teachers because that takes patience. LOL! I ended up running into Mr. Glenn Walker who was over the school's radio station and I shadowed him for one day. He had me go into the station and do an air shift. Five minutes into that shift, I was in love! Eventually I became the PD of the college station and did my own shift.

4) Was there ever a time you thought about not getting into the business?

Literally for a couple of seconds! I remember I was chatting in a production studio with one of my OGs, Jerry Fenner. He had been in the industry for years and he was telling me a lot about back in the days and today (at the time 2009) and how much it has changed. Then he hit me with "I commend you and anyone your age trying to get in here because it's tough man. So much is changing and jobs are disappearing with this voicetracking thing." I think he knew what he was doing telling me that because he saw the hunger in me already. If you're reading this Jerry D, thank you for that pep talk! Hope I'm making you proud OG!

5) Who were some of your influences?

Man where do I start?! I have many influences for many different reasons. I will just mention a few. Tom Joyner's longevity is admirable. Angie Martinez's love for the business and her ability to make everyone she chats with feel comfortable. Ryan Seacrest is the same way. Ebro from Hot 97 is one of the coolest dudes on the air and off the air. Big Boy from L.A. is that cool uncle who everybody loves to be around. My PD Stevie Demann is a great guy to learn from. Kevin Gardner and Derrick Baker are programmers who taught me a lot. Mary K in Charlotte has been critiquing my airchecks since college. Jill Strada at Cox in Miami has been such an influence on me and she probably doesn't even know it. She's taught me so much as a PD and as a friend. Steve Smith is one of my influences, too. Over the past few years I've learned from a distance, but since I've moved to mornings I'm working closer to him and I learn so much in just conversations with him. It's crazy!

6) What are some of the things that you would like to accomplish in your career?

My generation (Millennials) have the reputation that we feel "entitled" to everything and don't want to work for it. I'm opposite of that. I love what I do and I'm very passionate about what I do. I don't want to just exist, I want to be someone whose name rings bells. When you hear Nailz you say, "I love that kid! He's dope! I would LOVE to work with him!"

7) Could you share your thoughts on the future for morning radio and air personalities in general?

As long as we continue to be innovative and there for our communities, especially in the time of need, we embrace change and continue to move with the times, radio will continue to be what radio has always been; Powerful and influential. When I say moving with the times, I mean embracing reinvention. Being active on social media. Today, you're doing more than just your on-air show. You're doing a show on Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The days of the Hollywood jock is over. Your listeners love to interact with you on social. Heck ... I live my life on social. LOL! Ask my co-hosts Estee and Lil Shawn.

8) What is it that you like about being in radio?

The connection with our listeners is so dope! It's our responsibility to serve our listeners. They come to us for comfort before work or school and after. Music is that universal language that brings people together and we need that more than ever today.

9 Is there anything you have seen or experienced that has made you laugh?

Hell yeah! There's plenty, but I will tell this story. One time when I was doing nights in Orlando, I had the hiccups on-air and they would not go away! When I would do a break, I would make it seem like I was having a party in the studio and everybody was lit! Mid-sentence I'm doing the hiccups and having people chatting and cheering in the background. The PD Stevie hit me up and was asking what was going on. LOL! I told him what was going on and he loved it. When people saw me in the streets they would mention, "Next time you have one of those parties at the station I gotta be there man!" Hahahaha! Needless to say.... Probably one of my highest rated shows ever.

10) When do you focus in on what you are going to say before you turn the mic on?

After I end the break before. I was taught EVERY BREAK COUNTS. Especially today! Don't waste a break.

What would people be surprised to find out about you?

I am an energy type of guy. I even have sage in my house and in the office at the station. Sage cleans out bad juju and I will light it