10 Questions with ... Heather Martinez

NAME:Heather Martinez TITLE:On-Air Personality STATION:WEDR 99 JAMZ, WHQT Hot 105 MARKET:Miami COMPANY:Cox Radio BORN:Des Moines RAISED:Des Moines

Please outline your career path.

Urban Mainstream WEDR (99 Jamz)/Miami 2006-Current
Urban AC WHQT (Hot 105)/Miami 2006-Current
Urban AC KDJM (Jammin' 92.5)/Denver 2005-2006
Country Mainstream KCYY (Y100)/San Antonio (Voicetracked) 2004-2005
Top 40/Mainstream KENZ (Z106.7)/San Antonio 2004-2005
Urban AC KRNB/Dallas 2002-2004
Urban Mainstream KPRS (Hot 103 Jamz)/Kansas City 2001-2002

1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?

Campus radio at Northwest Missouri State University, along with the local NPR station at KXCV and KRNW in Maryville, MO. I hosted "The House of Jamz" on the school's X106 low-power FM station, and I hosted jazz and did sports reporting for the local NPR station.

Early influences for me were Tony G and JT Quick from Hot 103 Jamz in Kansas City. When the wind blew JUST RIGHT...I was able to get them on my car radio in Iowa, and while at school in northwest Missouri. They made me excited to hear the radio, excited to hear the music, and I wanted to be a part of that world.

2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?

I always was a talker. Always, since I was two. Never shut up. After the millionth time hearing my mom tell me "not to talk a person's ear off"... well, I decided one day, watch ... I'm going to get paid to talk. It was either going to be television or radio, so I pursued both. The defining moment for me was winning a Missouri State Broadcasters Award for Radio Broadcasting, after only working on the microphone for four months. That was when I said, "This IS it!" Another defining moment is when I was hired to work on two great Urban stations at the same time, in the same market. That seldom happens, and I am very honored to be a radio personality on both WEDR and WHQT in Miami.

3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?

I knew it was a tough industry. I also knew that I was going to deal with issues like racism and sexism, but I was determined. I knew in my heart this was my path, and I would definitely do it again.

4) With all the syndication and voice tracking, where do you see the industry going five years from now?

It's tough to say. It will be harder to get a job in terrestrial radio, but options through Internet and podcasting will make new opportunities available.

5) What's your take on radio currently? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same?

No matter what personalities you have working on a radio station, the music is what's first. That's why people listen to the radio. We have some good music in Urban radio right now, from Kanye West and Kirk Franklin to Alicia Keyes, so Urban radio is sounding great. The personalities are fighting to keep their jobs due to budget cuts, syndication, and more actors and comedians taking over, so the content is definitely getting better between the music as well.

6) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Being a flexible, adaptable and professional announcer. The money is the same, no matter what format. Adaptability with format, co-workers, management and style prolongs your career in this industry.

7) Since you are already working in what many would consider a "destination city and market" what are your plans for the immediate future?

I would like to add more voiceover work to my repertoire. I currently voice for Jamster on BET and MTV, and I image a few stations as well. I have a home studio and work with a few smaller agencies doing commercial voiceover here in Miami, but I would like to add more. www.myspace.com/heathermartinezmedia.

8) What's been your biggest disappointment in Urban radio today?

9) What would people who think they know you, be surprised to find out about Heather Martinez?

Besides the fact that I was born and raised in Des Moines, and graduated from a small high school with only 47 students in my class ... I also have a degree in coaching and sports broadcasting. In fact, my secret ambition is to one day be the public address announcer for an NBA team. I was actually the PA announcer in college, so if anyone knows of a team looking....

10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?

I have been very blessed throughout my career, even when I went through a LAY OFF due to a FORMAT FLIP. I can honestly say I have NO regrets. I have had wonderful people around me, helping to guide my decisions, and I always went with my gut feeling. I have turned down several full-time opportunities, and chose to stay part-time in the market I was in. But I chose quality over quantity. Not every job is the right job.

What do you do for recreation and relaxation?

I love to dance, and I love kickboxing. I wish I had more time to do it. I am also a football fanatic, so I watch a lot of sports as well. Since I live in Miami, the beach is another great place to relax, along with a nice mojito.

What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you?

The best advice ever is from my mentor, talent coach and former boss, Sam Weaver. My favorite is "Know when to speak, know when to listen." Office politics is tough sometimes. You have to know who to talk to, and who not to. Some people will become your friend just to find your weaknesses, then exploit the weaknesses for their own benefit.

Describe your favorite meal?

Ballyhoo's "All You Can Eat Stone Crab" in Key Largo. Funky name, but excellent food. It takes a good 90 minutes to drive there, but its well worth it. You cannot beat their price for fresh stone crab here in South Florida.

What "reality show" could you see yourself appearing on and why?

"The Amazing Race," no doubt. I've been trying to get on this show since it began! I am a geography nerd, and I love adventure. Hands down, I know I would win the million dollars on this show!

Who are your favorites in radio today?

I'm a fan of humbleness, humility and humor. Favorites on-air are Big Boy, Nate Quick, JT Quick, BJ Murphy and" The Mexicans" (Chico and Rascal) on the men's side. For female personalities, I like Angie Martinez in NYC, Lady K in Austin, Tamara G and Nikki Nite in Miami, and Brandi Garcia in Houston. I have also had a chance to work with radio greats on the programming side, like Sam Weaver and Derrick Brown, both whom have pushed me to be the best that I can be. I feel like first-year programmer Derrick Baker at WEDR and I think that Derrick Baker, PD of WEDR has many good years ahead of him as well.