1) Why did you get into broadcasting? I went to school for television and radio at Tompkins Cortland Community College, where I received my Associates degree and later a Bachelor of Science degree from State University of New York at Fredonia but always thought I would be in television. I worked at the college (rock format) radio station while attending Fredonia where I did one show a week, that became 3 and 4. I knew very little about rock music and everything about country. Somehow I fooled everyone. I think it was my subscription to ‘Rolling Stone’ that helped. When I graduated from college, I thought TV would be my thing so I applied at every TV cable network out there and landed my first TV job with Newschannel 34 (now WIVT In Binghamton) and had a part time radio job at 1430 WENE-AM in Endicott before moving on to “the new country station in town.” I was absolutely terrible in the beginning but I loved every minute of it! I ended up not liking TV but really found the reaction and mystique of radio fascinating. I stayed with it and really found my footing with a weekend show I wrote, produced and hosted called ‘Yesteryear Today,’ where I presented country legends from the 50’s through the 1970’s. I had a ball and received some wonderful reviews from the fans. Radio won over TV and I never looked back.
2) What is your most memorable radio moment? I have many many memorable radio moments. Looking back, one of my more memorable radio moment was experiencing the power of radio listeners when we did a Country Cares for St Jude’s kids. After visiting the life changing St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis with my radio team, we came back determined to raise a ton of money for those special kids that were fighting for their lives. With the help of my incredible promotion director, we took our little radioathon ideas and made an exciting 2 day radio 3-ring event, complete with autographed guitars to auction off, artists like Merle Haggard, George Strait, Garth Brooks and Martina McBride calling in to the station, hundreds of autograph to auction off and heartfelt DJ hosted radio segments that helped up raise a ton of money surpassed $90,000 the first year. We were told we would be lucky to raise 20 K. Like I said, the power of radio is amazing.
3) What is your personal motto? Life is a gift and I try to make the most out of every day given to me. Throughout my life, I’ve been told I can’t do things. It takes a lot of energy to prove them wrong but it’s worth it when you get it done. I don’t have much use for negative people. My personal motto is to enjoy every day, keep an eye on nature, smile more, check your ego at the door and most of all, stay positive. Tough times don’t last but tough people do.
4) If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? I grew up loving Superman, Spider-Man, Batman but also, old reruns of classic shows like ‘The Munsters’ and ‘Bewitched.’ As crazy as it may sound I was always jealous that I couldn’t twitch my nose like Samantha. If I could, I would change the world.
5) If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what album would it be? If I could only listen to one album for the rest of my life it would be a mix tape I made myself. Everybody thinks I only like country music but the truth is I have a very eclectic music love and enjoy pretty much every genre of music. I think there has always been good AND bad music. Of course I always enjoy the good music and there is so much of it in my personal collection, many of which is great country I’m happy to say we play on 107.1 The Bear.
6) What song might someone catch you singing in the shower? I’ve been known to sing in the shower from time to time and it’s usually one of those songs you can’t get out of your head. Sometimes it’s the last song I heard on the Bear. I’ve also been known to murder the lyrics of a song or two. Oops. Sorry songwriters.
7) What else should we know about you? One thing many may not know about me is I am a very loyal person to who I am. I did most of my soul searching when I was young and learned to be the best at who you think you are, stay loyal to friends, family and your job, take time to relax by an ocean once or twice a year and take time out to appreciate what God has given to me. Some people may not know how much I love everything Disney. My best job was working at Epcot Center in Walt Disney World, Florida. And I would still be there if they paid better! I always wonder where I would be today if that happened. Hmmm…..
