Toby Knapp
Now this is a throwback. After climbing from WSBG in the Poconos, to WBHT/Scranton to start my career, I landed afternoons in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at WLAN-FM. While there, I pulled part time/weekend shifts at WIOQ/Philly. Who knew a part-timer would be interviewing a future billionaire [Jessica Simpson] at the beginning?
Toby Knapp: I feel like one of these kids is not like the others… This is from the FM97 WLAN days. We were close enough to New York for some quick visits from the small market regional APD/MDs who may have wanted to trek in to hang with some musical icons and whatnot. In this case, a rooftop soiree with Mariah Carey.
93-3 FLZ. 2001-2004. Of all the amazing things I was a part of at 4002 Gandy Boulevard in Tampa, this… was by far the greatest thing I’ve ever – ever- been a part of. And we made some amazing radio happen, too.
I realize my career has the foundation it has because I was taught by people who were taught – or were taught by those taught by the ones who laid the foundation for this personality radio game. Kid. Magic Matt. If you don’t understand what it took to make magic happen then, you won’t get how to make it happen now. You can’t just be around it – you have to learn it. That’s a skill today could use a refresher course on…
Along the way, I’ve been able to be a part of some incredible projects… including the return of CHR to Baltimore. “It’s about to get busier,” Thea Mitchem says to me when she read me into the project. Years later, I remember pushing that button and turning it on... and I’m proud of what it continues to mean to our cluster and to the fans in our region. This was from the launch party at the Hard Rock Inner Harbor (2012).
Toby Knapp: From the American Music Awards… this one time I interviewed this one guy who hadn’t released his first solo CD yet. One would go on to be an icon, the other would just go on… JT and I from 93-3 FLZ in 2002.
I think it’s important to get your butt kicked along the way by some great coaches and PDs. These two. At different times, and then, together, made me better and make me better every day. I’m thankful they’ve been patient enough with me at times to nurture me along. It takes unique leaders to coach true creatives… Here are two who get it. iHeartRadio DC circa 2019. Had to be pre-pandemic.
One of the best things ever… was just to have non-gimmicky-non-cliché-non-bs chats with amazing artists. Still is. To have someone like Ed lean over and say, “that was one of the best chats ever….” Meant and means everything.
These days, it’s about a new challenge. Mornings. DC. While I did mornings once before, the pressures are justifiably different. Now, it’s about trusting myself, learning to trust a team-within-a-team, believing it n my skills, learning new things, unlearning others. Life is about evolution… and as mine continues, I’m looking forward to what lessons it may reveal which we can all learn from… air and off… because, after all…
It’s about friends. Family. Legacy. Right? And the show goes on…
Oh, one more thing… Joe… Bobbi... and the others I’ve been made better by along the way… thank you. For everything. We’re not done yet.. but so far, everything is beyond good… because I’ve met you. Okay I’m done. Less is more. Word economy. Don’t get into the weeds. 😊
