10 Questions with ... Herkules

NAME:Herkules TITLE:On-Air Personality, Weekends and Fill-ins STATION:WPGC 95.5 MARKET:Washington, D.C. COMPANY:CBS Radio BORN:August 23,197? (I'm still young) in Washington, D.C. RAISED:Ft. Washington, MD (right outside of D.C.)

1) What was your first job in radio and how did you get your name?

WPGC Sales department. I got my name while I was in college because I was always lifting weights and was always one of the strongest in the gym.

Early influences?

Growing up listening to Donnie Simpson every morning on the radio and realizing that he got paid to talk ... and was also getting paid to be on television at the same time ... and having a ball doing so. Also watching videos of Doug E. Fresh and seeing how he entertained the crowd made me want to entertain and host events as well.

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

After I graduated from the Univ. of Delaware and was dating someone who was already on the radio (no, I am not mentioning her name; she knows ... and a few other people know who I am talking about), seeing what she was doing daily for her show and appearances and how she was affecting peoples' lives in a positive way really got me going. Getting the chance to meet Tigger , Michel Wright, DJ Flexx, Donnie Simpson and Adimu got me going even more. When Tigger first took me under his wing, when DJ Flexx would help me with my demo, and DJ Rico helped me learn the board I knew this was it. One more thing: The first time Reggie Rouse and I had a deep conversation back in his APD/OM days of WPGC, I told him that I wanted to be on-air, and he told me what I needed to do. I knew I was on the right track.

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

YES, INDEED! This is a business and every day I learn something new about it. It took me a while to realize that this is my passion, and if you are passionate about something you will work hard at it and continue to learn something new every day about your passion or yourself.

4) Where do you see yourself and the industry five years from now?

In a top-10 market doing afternoons and making a major impact. I also know that I will have my own TV show at the same time. I said that I always wanted to be a Donnie Simpson and Big Tigger wrapped into one, meaning that I would have the longevity like Donnie with the energy and drive as Tigger -- but be the first Herk.

5) What's the toughest thing about working at a #1 heritage station like WPGC?

To not get caught up in the call letters and to not get the "BIG HEAD" -- meaning ego-tripping. I used to think that because I worked at WPGC, I would automatically get whatever, but I had to realize that I don't work at WPGC ... I work for WPGC. I don't own any call letters, I don't own a station vehicle, I don't own anything in that station. I work for WPGC to help make WPGC sound better when I am on the air, look better in the communities and at appearances, and I help better WPGC's reputation overall.

But at the same time I can also harm WPGC if I participate in things that I shouldn't or act out in a manner that is unprofessional. I learned that radio is a business, and in this business you can be replaced quickly. The hard work that you put in can be gone in a blink of an eye, and when you try to get back in good standing it takes one million times more effort to do so. I have learned a lot about myself both personally and professionally while working for WPGC, and I am very blessed and thankful to be able to have done so.

6) What is going to happen to the training of tomorrow's talent and programmers if the current trend continues? How do you feel about syndication and voicetracking?

This is a business, just like the automobile industry or computer industry. The key is to stay ahead of the changes and be prepared for them before they come -- instead of preparing for them after they hit. You have to stay on top of your game and be willing to learn daily. You also have to be wiling to become more versatile; if not then you are not and will never be an asset to your station or company.

I am not mad at syndication but I don't think that every syndicated show fits every market. There are some shows that should never be considered for certain markets, especially during Monday-Friday major dayparts, because the host(s) of these shows aren't local and don't sound local at all. Local programming to me is crucial. I live in the D.C. market and if something major happens in my market at 3p on a Friday afternoon during rush hour, then I need to know that Tigger is going to be able to tell me what's going on because he is on locally. If I am listening to a station that has a syndicated show at that same time, can I expect them to stop the show and deliver the breaking news that happened in my market? Are they going to be able to give me the full details, and sound as concerned or as passionate as a local personality? These are some of the downsides of syndicated shows.

Believe me, I am not mad at syndicated shows because those folks are earning a living, but to me local is where it's at. Now, would I ever want a syndicated show ...YES, INDEED! LOL. I have a three-year-old son, and bills and daycare don't pay themselves.

7) What adjustments have you had to make and what's the biggest difference between what you're doing now and what you did in Richmond?

I was on in Norfolk/VA Beach for three years; I only did Richmond for a few months on the weekends. The biggest adjustment for me has been not being on the air full-time. I love radio and love being on the air; I really do miss the daily show prep, production, interaction with my team members. I miss the chats before you go on the air; I miss meeting listeners when they come to the station to pick up their prizes; I miss doing on-air interviews with artists; I miss the daily phone conversations with listeners. I miss all the daily things that go on at a radio station.

I have had to find different things to do. For instance, now I teach night Radio and Adobe classes at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting's Crystal City, VA location; I have hosted a few national tours. I have been able to work on some TV projects. but I still miss the daily grind of being on the air.

8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?

Production and voiceover. I like the creativity of production and really would like to do more voice over work and get better at both.

9) How do you feel the current situation with fines and firings is going to affect future morning shows? Are air personalities going to be less creative and adventuresome because of the fear of being fired?

No, I think that will make them want to get even closer to the line without crossing it. That's the beauty of setting a limit to things. You never know how close a person is going to get and when they get right to that line, listeners are shocked but usually in a good way.

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

I wish I would have gone to Atlanta when I first had the chance to be on-air.

What would people who think they know you be surprised to find out about Herkules?

That I am a childhood cancer survivor, and the reason that I work so hard and do so much and want to get back on the air full-time so bad is because when I had my surgery, I was clinically dead for 1 minute and 45 seconds, and saw the clouds and bright light that people have talked about. I realize that life is so precious that nothing should be taken for granted and tomorrow really is not promised.

What is your biggest challenge working at WPGC?

Being patient. I know what I can do and what I have done on the air full-time and I am ready to get back at it.

How many public appearances do you make and how important are they to what you ultimately want to do which is win?

I host WPGC's live broadcast from Zanzibar every Friday night with DJ Book. and I usually have two or three more appearances per month. I enjoy the clubs because I get to interact and party with the listeners, and they get to really see the real me and we all have a great time. I'm not just a voice they hear on their radio. I love doing appearances.

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

The best be yourself and go for it. The worst is try to be like -- and do your breaks like -- they do.

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

"Celebrity Fit Club," just because I want to see if the Drill Sgt. Harvey's workouts are really that tough.