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Straight From The Mouth
The Morning Mouth's December Interview with Tony & Cappy
(Reprinted by permission; Copyright © 2006 Talentmasters Inc.)

Let's start with a quick bio: (Tony wasn't able to join this interview)

Cappy: I grew up in Rochester listening to Brother Wease. That show and his talent gave me the desire to be on the radio every morning. I wanted to be on the air, but got accomplished as a producer first. After internships/part time gigs at WCMF, WPIG and KPLX, I finally landed a gig at KKZN in Dallas producing for Alex Valentine in 1997. I moved to produce at KDMX in 2000,then got upped to co-host after a few years. Tony and I have been doing this show together now for 2 years.

Some of your bits are legendary, even to the point of scary. Were there any out-takes from you "catch-a-predatory" series?

Tony & Cappy's Scared Straight MySpace was amazing. In the Spring, we set

up a decoy MySpace account like they do on Dateline. We busted predators live on the air. We confronted some in person at the mall, homes. We arranged all kinds of meeting and went after it. The Attorney General was calling, Dateline - it created a ton of buzz locally and nationally. We just finished another run of Scared Straight MySpace in the Fall Book. It's a risky bit - it's hard work and you're really putting yourself out there, but we brought it back because it's all people were talking about. We saw a nice bump in the numbers because of it too. To see how we orchestrated some of those bits, check Cappy's BigBlog at the back of The Mouth every month!

And before I forget, with the Super Bowl around the corner, give us the set up for "Chick Kick."

It's a female field goal kicking competition on the turf at Texas Stadium (home of the Cowboys). We talk it up on the air for a week or so and invite any female who wants to kick to show up. We get hundreds and always land news coverage. Be forewarned - lots of strong-legged Melissa Etheridge listeners will show up if you know what I mean. Last year's winner kicked a 35 yarder! The Cowboys should have hired her over Vandershank.

Was/is there an idea you wanted to do, but couldn't?

One bit that got pre-empted was the Whack Shaq where you beat the hell out of a hanging Shaq pinata. If our PD was Michael Richards that would have worked! We've had the FBI, Dallas PD, Secret Service and CPS call our PD - and we're not even "that kind of show." We don't try and get in trouble, but we do try and make compelling, real radio. Sometimes you've got to walk up to that edge to do that. Tony and I have had to sweet talk our way out of things at times, but that should never get in the way of a bit idea. Always ask for forgiveness, not permission.

Bit that bombed?

We tried to have a Dallas Cowboy player on with us weekly this year. We knew the team would be controversial and good all at the same time, so it seemed like a good wave to ride. After two weeks of trying, we realized that

he just plain sucked on the radio! Instead of covering our mistake we just went on the air and were honest about it. We told our audience we weren't going to lie - the guy was like talking to Frankenstein and the bit just wasn't working - we screwed up. They all called and agreed!

Idea that got you called into the GM's office?

Having our promotions director pretend to be a listener that wanted to pimp out her 6 month old baby and sell add space on his head. It was a great bit, but CPS didn't think so. Our GM, Pat McMahon, was super cool about the whole thing.

What are planning to do this Christmas/Holidays on the air?

4th year of Tony & Cappy's Holiday Home Invasion. I wrote about it in a BitBlog earlier in the year, but we ask listeners to nominate a family in need. We find an unsuspecting family (single moms with kids are great) and sneak in to their home and give them a total Christmas. Jeff and Jer started this years ago and Ace and TJ do it too. Ours is a little different. They rely on the generosity of their listeners to make donations. We hit up big clients like Wal-Mart, Old Navy and Southwest Airlines, and they always come through with more than enough!

Outside of listeners, whose opinion about the show matter to you most?

My wife, she's in the demo.

Other morning shows that inspire you?

There's a ton of brilliant shows that I follow and share ideas with on a regular basis. I am a big fan of Mojo and Chad Mitchell, Dave Ryan and Steve-O, Ace & TJ with Yankee Pete, Danny Czekalinski, Kevin Rolston, Rich Berra, Little Tommy, Eric Rowe and Kirk Marske with Dwyer and Michaels. I'm always looking across town to see what Kidd is doing,too.

Who would you say are the 5 most interesting people you ever met in radio?

Oprah (she smelled the best), Travolta (I'd like to have a few beers with

him), Tommy Lee Jones (mean old bastard), Joe Montana (personal favorite sports hero) and Gary Busey (definitely the most bizarre human I've met).

What's your take on radio as a business today?

Like a slumbering apathetic giant it has finally started to stir recently and I am excited about changes After a pretty stale last 10 years, I think we're on the brink of some great progress in talent.

Where do you see it headed?

Lots of new talent getting opportunities to do real and compelling morning shows.

As a co-host, you've gone through some transition there with partners, direction, etc. What's been the trick to keeping the show on track?

Trying to give everyone room to grow, but sliding in some pointers here and there. If I diagnose a weakness or think we're in need of a change I speak up and address it quickly. It's been cool for me to learn from the different jocks I've had the pleasure to work with.

What's the best way to explain change to listeners?

Honesty.

Since you began doing mornings you got married and have had two children. How has that changed your show?

It has given me a ton of topics. Everyday my life is a topic. My wife and kids practically write the bits. If your PD won't get you a prep service, just start having kids. As for my personality, I am still a crotchety, opinionated New Yorker at heart. Adding kids has made my personality deeper and more complex.

New Year's resolutions?

Lose more weight. Get more ratings. Make more money. Have a threesome.

The jocks you want to meet most at Boot Camp?

I honestly don't have a list in mind, but I will say that I have met some great talent there already. I wouldn't mind sitting down with Howard Stern some day to pick his brain... and wallet!

Read previous Morning Mouth interviews.

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