10 Questions with ... Steve Murry

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Been a part of the broadcasting industry for about 37 years and I'm proud to say that most of it has been with the same organization from the very start, I've worked every daypart and have experience in every area of the operation from on-air and engineering to installing computer networks for the stations daily operation.

1) How did you find out you aren't who you thought you were?

Wow! How much space do I have? I'll try to keep it as short as possible cause this is a life-long experience. I was about three or four years old when a woman took me from my grandfather's front yard and I never saw my family again. I remember doing a lot of traveling with this woman and then settling in a little town on Long Island, NY called Bayside in Queens. We later moved to Chicago where I spent most of my childhood and young adult life. From there I joined the United States Marine Corps and spent a year in Vietnam. Upon my return to Chicago, I had more questions about my identity and fewer answers. So I went on with life and enrolled in college and relocated to Huntsville, AL. It was there that I got married and took a trip out of country without the document needed to verify my identity, my birth certificate. I was detained by Puerto Rican authorities and spent hours detained with more questions about my identity than anyone should ever have to take on. A local newspaper got hold of my story, since I was a local radio personality, and wanted to print it. It was then that my story was picked up on the TV newsmagazine, "A Current Affair," who contacted me to see if they could do my story. Once I agreed, they hired investigators and research people to help along with the people from my Congressional Office and the State Department, helping me locate my birth certificate so that I could get a passport. Two years later I discovered that I had a family, got my birth certificate, my passport and as you can imagine my whole life changed. There is more to my story but not enough space.

2) What was the effect of finding out your true identity?

It's made me more aware of people outside of my little radio world. Made me see how important we are to each other which gives me a better view of what's important to our listening audience.

3) Why did you go into the radio business?

I was fresh back from Vietnam and I was driving a "hack," -- that is a cab for all you lay people. I had a regular customer who I got to know fairly well and one day I asked her what she did. She told me that she was nighttime jock for the Loop, WLUP/Chicago, the powerhouse Rock station. Trudy Fisher was her name and she encouraged me to try my hand at broadcast school. I did and she kind of took me under her wing and later she advised me to continue onto Columbia College (Chicago) where I majored in radio/TV broadcasting.

4) Working with air talent is important to you isn't it?

Yes, because it is very important for radio to develop talent in order to keep radio strong and a viable media.

5) Where did you land your first job in radio?

Before graduation, I was recruited during career day at Columbia for a job in Madison, AL. They made me an offer I couldn't refuse. It was the best and worst decision I ever made.

6) When did the programming bug hit you?

In 1984. I began working at WEUP/Huntsville, AL. In 1987, the current programmer just up and left and I was thrown into programming. Flying by the seat of my pants with a computer program that I had to learn overnight and no MD turned out great! I've been with this station ever since.

7) Would you share some of your career influences?

I've looked up to several different people. One turned out to be a good friend of mine from Columbia College and Walt "Baby" Love, who was also a brother at arm, a Vietnam veteran as well. To add to my list was the late Al Parker, affectionately known as "Big Al," who was head of the radio department during the time I was a student. The only other person that has had any impact on my life in radio is the owner of the station where I currently work, Mr. Hundley Batts, he's been like a big brother to me. He is the one who showed me the business side.

8) What is it about Huntsville that you like?

Its diversity, its location, the climate and it's just a great place to settle in and raise children.

9) How do you see the future of radio?

The future of radio is going to depend on getting back to basics. If not, the future of radio looks very dim to me. Community involvement, breaking new music and developing new talent all play a very important factor in the future of radio.

10) What do you love about radio?

One of the things that I love about radio is that no two days are ever the same. I've never had a boring day. Don't get me wrong; it's not all fun and games. It's a lot of hard work and planning.