10 Questions with ... Ulysses 'Stretch' Garrett

NAME:Ulysses 'Stretch' Garrett TITLE:MD/Radio Personality STATION:LAUNCHcast Radio & 102.3 KJLH MARKET:National & Los Angeles COMPANY:Yahoo! & Taxi Productions BORN:February 24, 1976 in Baltimore RAISED:Baltimore

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

My first experience in radio was as a freshman at The University of Maine of at Ft. Kent. It was dope being able to play music I wanted to. Although it was only campus based it was still thrilling. My first paying gig was with V-103 in Baltimore as a sophomore in college. I used to listen to Frank Ski when he ruled Baltimore, Randy Dennis, Jean Ross and Tim Watts were my mentors. If it wasn't for the two of them (Tim & Jean) I wouldn't be where I am now. Dion Summers, Kathy Brown (I love me some KB) and Tom Calococci did wonders for my career, and now my man Aundrae Russell is my Head Coach!

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

I also had a fascination for music. I knew early on that I couldn't rap or sing but I knew my music. In college I transferred schools and changed my major. I knew at 19 this is what I wanted to do. I love the feeling of being on the air and having thousands and thousands of people listening to what I have to say. It's a high I never want to lose. I think that moment where I realized oh snap I'm actually doing this was when at the V when they put me on from 8a to noon every Saturday. I was only 20 and on the radio in my hometown on the #1 station at the time. It don't get no better than that!

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

Man, the game has changed since I started 12 years ago. I'm still young in this business but the opportunities that I was given to grow aren't available now-a-days. So I would say yes I would still do it because I love it so much.

4) Tell us a little about LAUNCHCast and Yahoo Music and your involvement.

Let me first say that LAUNCHCast Radio/Yahoo Music is an awesome place to be! I'm a Music Director here, where I oversee all of our Urban Audio programming. There are over 30 stations that I program, from Hip-Hop, Today's R&B, Adult R&B, Quiet Storm, New Jack Swing, etc. Not to mention I program our Latino Pop station as well. So I'm well versed in my Espanol! I'm able to create stations that you would never hear on terrestrial radio for example I created a "New Jack Swing," East and West Coast Hip Hop, Soca and Dancehall stations. Where on the dial are you going to find that? That's one of the best parts of this job. I'm able to serve the audience what they want.

5) How you go about selecting music to be aired? Elaborate.

I pay attention to the charts (R&R, BDS Radio and of course All Access), but for the most parts I listen to the streets. The streets never let you down. If a song is poppin' in the club before it even hits radio, and cats know about from hearing it there, that's a good thing. Back in the day when I was hosting parties I would see how the crowd would react to a song. If they stayed on the floor and danced, you had a winner. If they walked off, well, you know it's not that hot!

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?

I think radio today is in trouble. That's why I branched out and took on a new position with what is now called "New Media" here at Yahoo! Today in radio you don't have the training grounds you had when I started. There are rarely any stations that have overnight shows anymore for the neophytes to mess up and learn and cultivate their skills. With so many small stations being bought out and the big dogs coming in, it's a lost art. It really sucks for PDs because you have a lot of cats in positions over their head. Just like jocks they need time to mature and learn their craft. You just can't be a van driver one week, then MD the next, then programming a station a week later. I feel syndication can work in the right element the same as voicetracking. But for the most part in radio cities where the listeners want to interact and see the talent it doesn't work. Just ask those cities that spent a lot of money on "big time" talent to only see it backfire.

7) What adjustments have you had to make in your new position?

I had to learn how to think like a programmer and not a jock. The beauty is I have the best of both worlds. I still maintain an airshift out here in L.A., and of course I program. I also think I had to learn how to program for the masses and not just play music that only I dig.

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

Wow, I think that would have to be learning to be more patient. I'm so quick to want to jump and make things happen I never take the time to fall back and observe. Then proceed with my actions. Although over the years I have been working on that a lot.

9) How do you feel about having to compete with terrestrial radio?

I don't really think about it. There are so many different outlets for people to get their music now that I think there is room for everyone to shine. Technology is changing rapidly every day, so it's just fun to see everyone make their mark.

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

Yes, many! LOL

Well, I wish I had stayed in Cleveland back in '99 when I was part of WENZ doing nights (6-10pm). But at the time I was 22 and dumb. I was spoiled at being at 92Q in Baltimore; when things didn't go my way and flow like in Baltimore, I was ready to bail. I think two years of grooming there would have been good. I also regret not getting a last show and goodbye's to Baltimore when I left 92Q in 2004. But, hey, it's the business and you just move on. But when I think about it I don't see them as regrets but more learning experiences because if I didn't go through those ordeals I wouldn't be where I am now in my career.

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

That I'm actually a shy cat!. Also that I'm a great cook! Ask all the women I have cooked for over the years! And my tall self can't swim!

What's been your biggest disappointment in radio today?

Leaving Baltimore. Again back to this, but I really wanted to do afternoons and eventually mornings in my home city. But it wasn't in the cards for me, but I'm still young. You never know what will happen in the future.

How did you get your present job?

God! That's the honest truth. He delivered me this job. I was doing some fill-in work at KJLH when I was looking through the Monitor and just came across Yahoo! Music. I was like man I listen to this all the time I wonder if they're looking for some new talent. So I emailed my boss my resume and cover letter and a week later he got back to me and the rest is, as they say, HIStory!

What is your biggest challenge working at this station?

Wow, just putting in the long hours! I'm used to four-hour shifts. Managing to program the many stations and contribute to the many other live content programs we have and just keeping my mind fresh to think outside the box. It's a grind but I enjoy it, and I know big things will pay off in the long run.

What do you do with a song you don't like?

I use is it as a coaster for my coffee table. Kidding! Honestly, since we have 200 editorial LAUNCHcast stations and literally millions of customized stations that our listeners create and the fact that we have a skip button in LAUNCHcast, we play just about everything. We don't push everything, but we'll make it avail for the customized stations. SO, I'd play it and see if it gets any traction from our listeners.

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

My mentor Tim Watts told me when I first started that this is not the business you want to be in if you want fringe retirement and lots of money. This is a shaky business, but you have to love it. Because if you love it. It will love you back after all the nonsense and politics! I don't think I was ever given any bad advice all of it has been good even it was dumb. I just take it and use it.

Describe your favorite meal?

It would be pancakes! I can eat them things all day long.

What's your favorite fast food?

Fatburger and Chick-Fil-A.

Do you read ... everything? Books, Magazines, etc.? Nothing? What's your favorite reading material?

I love everything by Walter Mosley, Langston Hughes and Cornell West. I love fiction, i.e. mysteries, thrillers and, yes, even romance. I'm actually writing my first novel! So go and buy it whenever it comes out.

How did the events of 9/11 change you personally?

It really shook me. Not only do I have family and friends in the city, but I was dumbfounded on how we could be attacked on our own soil. I never thought in my lifetime I would experience some thing like that.

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

Well, I have been a few dating ones, like "Change of Heart" and "Blind Date," but I could see me on "The Amazing Race" or "The Bachelor"! I could be the first black bachelor. LOL.

You just won the lotto, and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?

Yo, I'm going to need a very long sick leave! I was just diagnosed with Im-Rich-a-titus!

Is there any question that we didn't cover here? Feel free to ask it and answer it here and we'll add it to the list:

No, I'm all good thank you for the opportunity. But if I had the opportunity to marry Oprah, I would!