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10 Questions with ... Shanik 'Neek @ Nite' Mincie
July 24, 2007
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NAME:Shanik 'Neek @ Nite' MincieTITLE:Music & Mixshow Director for WHXT and Programming Assistant for WWDMMARKET:Columbia, SCCOMPANY:Inner City Broadcasting Inc.BORN:Alamogordo, NM (father was in the Air force)RAISED:Neptune/Asbury Park, NJ
Please outline your radio career so far.
WRAS-Album 88.5 (Sept. 1995- Dec. 1997) ... WHTA-Hot 97.5 (Oct.1997- May 2000) ... WFXE-Foxie 107 (May 2000 - Sept. 2002) ... WHXT-Hot 103.9 (Sept. 2002-Present)
1) What was your first job in radio... and who were your e arly influences?
I started as an on-Air Personality ... and my early influences were DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
When I was in high school, we had a class that dealt with mass communications on a small scale, and that really piqued my interest in radio and television. The defining moment came when I was doing college radio and I met Sean Taylor (who was the program director of WHXT at the time). He told me that he had heard me on the air and he thought I sounded pretty good -- and I should submit an aircheck and a resume to him for some part-time work at WHTA. I knew at that moment that "this is it"!
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Yes, I would. I would have changed some of the choices I made as far as dealing with some people and not dealing with other people, but that is all part of life and growing -- or should I say growing pains.
4) Where do you see yourself and the industry five years from now?
More behind the scenes instead of in front of the mic. I would love to do some consulting (since there are no Black -- or am I suppose to use African-American? -- female consultants in the Urban radio arena, even though most radio stations target women) and perhaps some artist development. I've done too many interviews and not to say all, but some of them REALLY need some communication skills BADLY!
5) How do you feel about the PPM eventually replacing the diary?
There are pros and cons to everything. I think it will be slightly more accurate, but some errors will occur.
6) How you feel about being made to wait on a record you hear until the research validates it?
That doesn't really apply to our station. Research is taken into consideration, but if my program director (Chris Connors) feels it's a hit, then the rotation will reflect that and research just reinforces that.
7) What is going to happen to the training of tomorrow's talent and programmers if the current syndication and voicetracking trend continues?
Syndication and voicetracking is a gift and a curse all at the same time. Syndication for smaller markets was a great economic solution because you could have entertaining and informative shows for a fraction of the price of hiring local talent. On the other hand, if you have a breaking story or major event going on, certain syndicated shows are out of touch because they are not in the market directly.
Voicetracking is great technology if you need a day off and you don't want the listening audience to know that you are absent, but I have seen firsthand how it affect people's livelihood. You were once full-time; now you're part-time and only voicetrack. One of the major reasons why certain radio stations haven't completely gone to syndication and voicetracking is the sales department can't have a computer at the live broadcast or live remotes interacting with the public; that just won't work.
8) What adjustments have you had to make in your new position?
Time management and patience. When I'm on the air, it's just me ... that's it. With my other duties around the station, I have to multi-task sometimes to get the job done so I won't be at the station all night! I don't mind burning the midnight oil sometimes, but not every day. I've learned patience because sometimes you have to wait on other people to complete certain tasks before you can get your job done, and I had to realize the hard way that not everyone may move as fast or as swift as you!
9) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
I would like to gain more knowledge in the sales department because at the end of the day, if it doesn't make dollars it doesn't make sense!
10) How do you feel the current competitive situation in Columbia?
Oh gosh, Columbia, SC is a very interesting market. We have our ups and downs, but for the most part we are a force to be reckoned with. Anybody inside or outside the market knows that when it comes to execution of on-air promotions, hosting and bringing hype to an event, and giving our clients and the community nothing but utmost professionalism, of any staff in town hands down it's us! We bring nothing but the heat; that's why we are called Hot 103.9 Fire Baby!
Bonus Questions
As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
No regrets, but one missed opportunity. When Eninem was starting up Shade 45 on Sirius Satellite Radio, I had a chance to have my own show and I wasn't persistent enough with the gentleman that was handling programming at the time, so I missed out on that one! Oh well, when one door closes, God opens another one....
What would people who think they know you be surprised to find out about Shanik Mincie?
I'm really a shy person and like to keep to myself.
How did you get your present job?
I use to work with Harold Banks at WHTA Atlanta, and he called and told me that the position was open.
What is your biggest challenge working at this station?
Racism and sexism.
What do you do with a song you don't like?
Turn it down.
What's your favorite fast food?
McDonald's french fries and Chick-fil-a nuggets ... yummy!
You just won the lotto and you have your boss on the line. What's the first thing that you would say?
It's been real; I just won the lotto! Do I really have to give you a two-week notice?
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