Straight From the Mouth

Let's talk about the station. How would you describe WTKS, Real Radio FM?

One in a million! From the management, the fan base to the creative freedom I've never seen or heard of a station like it. You have 4 morning shows doing what they do. There is so much heritage and loyalty at TKS is ridiculous. To be apart of a station with that already has veterans is great as well. You have The Monsters who have been extremely successful in the market for well over a decade and then of course Jim Phillips who is second to none really gives you confidence in the continued longevity of the station. It's great to come to work everyday and know that management has your back and gives you the room to do your thing.

How about your show? Break the content down into percentages, i.e. Entertainment news, sports, politics, local events, etc.

We have a good mix of everything. With Orlando getting the PPM in 2010 I have really paid close attention to what has worked in other markets. But the best advice I was given was by BJ Shea who said, "Study the psychology of your audience and compliment the other shows on the station." So far that has worked out great. I tag the show as "intellectually, immature, nonsense". We cover the things we should be covering as far hot topics in news and entertainment but it's the show chemistry that makes this work. Everyone has there take in which makes the flow come across to the listener as us having fun and not being driven down their throats. It's a comfortable flow.

Who else is on the show with you? What role does everyone serve?

We have Oddo who is my co-host. He originally was apart of The Philips Phile. Weeks after the CC massacre management asked me if I'd like to move to midday's and if so what would I change about the show. The first thing I said was bring back Oddo. I had always been a fan of his. There's also Prince who is the executive producer. He takes care of booking guests and making sure nothing screws up. Bull is the production producer. He rides board and produces daily bits, etc We also have a cast of "intards" who do random things like answer phones, etc. Everyone has an on-air role.

Where would you say you get most of your material?

I go through usually about 6-7 sites couple times a day. But being a part of a station that has 4 talk shows I have to find that angle that maybe the morning show didn't hit. So, outside of the daily news stories a lot of it is lifestyle topics within the show.

Best/worst moment ever on the air?

Best moment, hmmmm. I'd like to think that hasn't come yet but right after I started at TKS we were doing nights and around 10:30p we got a call from a guy named Bill. In short, Bill wanted to commit suicide. We 3 way called the Suicide Prevention hotline people with him, contacted the local authorities all while we had him on the air. After the show we all went out to help the police find him. We eventually did, he got help and now is doing just fine. In my 14 years on the air I haven't had such a feeling of satisfaction like that.

Worst moment? Hmmmmm, not so much worst moment but definitely a moment I won't forget. I had a few in Tampa just because of the situation but probably the worst moment on air was actually the story of what happened off the air. When at WJRR I had the opportunity to interview James Hetfield from Metallica. He had just gotten out of rehab and of course that day I decided to tip a few back. His people escorted me and my promo guy into a portable in which Hetfield walked in with his handler. Very cool and very sober. About a quarter way through the interview my mini-disk player died. So, I apologized and restarted it. Seconds later the damn thing died. In a slurred speech I said thanks for the interview and asked him to leave a message on my voicemail. He did and then went a played a killer show.

Something you did on the air that got you a high-five from your GM.

Worst moment?Where do you see FM Talk in the next 5 years?

"They" always say this is the year for FM talk. I do believe that if it's not in the next few it's defiantly coming. Radio fears the iPod but those of us in talk should embrace. We give the audience what the iPod can'tŠgreat content. I also hope that the shows are used to develop new talent for the next generation of talent. Me still being a young doesn't see a place for new talent to develop in this format with the exception of being a part of a content show. I really see some great talent getting exposure with the explosion of talk.

I mentioned sports a question or two back, didn't you a jock in college? What sport?

Yeah, out of high school I went to small school (Wingate) in North Carolina played football for a few years before transferring and graduation at University of Central Florida. Good times.

Being on the air in Florida must make it tough favoring one team over the other. Aren't Gator fans like a religion?

Yes sir they are. I really don't have a college team that I live and die for which makes it easy to poke at all the teams when the time's right. If I had to say though I guess I'd be a Gator fan. I mean hell they're the best right -- who wants to root for a loser. The day FSU is better I'll be Seminole I guess.

Since we're just getting the season underway, want to predict the outcome of the SEC, 1st, 2nd, 3rd?

Florida will dominant again -- no one cares about 2nd or 3rd.

How much will Tebow get offered by the pro's?

Think he'll end up with the Dolphins? Tebow will bank when he goes pro. Dolphins? Who said he's going there? I say Jags -- the dude's gotta stay in Florida because I don't think anyone else will care who he is.

Let's wrap up with radio, next month you'll be joining us in Atlanta for our first ever Talk Show Boot Camp. In fact you'll be on our FM Talk Session. Give us two or three things any programmers reading this should know about FM Talk.

Well if they're programmers I'd hope they already are in the know and I'm sure they are. If I were to suggest some things:

1) PPM... new... cool, but it's not a religion. Let the local talent who knows their market work with their PD to figure it instead of being a textbook robot.

2) A good leader knows how to talk to and teach each talent on an individual basis. It should never ever be a my way or the highway mentality. I must say that I am in a very fortunate situation here in Orlando where my PD is not like that. She is without a doubt the best PD I've ever worked with. You might think that's a kiss ass move but trust me when I say you'd be jealous.

3) FM Talk is diamond in the rough. I'm a firm believer that if you have a radio job then you're good at something. When someone says to me "this guy sucks" or "that guy sucks" I always say, "how can that be if he's doing what he does." Every talent has a strength or strengths. Cater to that instead of picking the weakness. It's actually a rule that most coaches live by.