FMQB recently checked in with WMMR/Philadelphia PD Bill Weston’s dynamic duo in programming – APD Chuck Damico and MD Sean “The Rabbi” Tyszler. Each has contributed greatly to WMMR’s resurgence and has flourished under Weston’s tutelage and the amazing team that has been assembled at Philadelphia’s true home of Rock N’ Roll.
Q&A: WMMR/Philadelphia APD Chuck Damico and MD Sean “The Rabbi” Tyszler
FMQB recently checked in with WMMR/Philadelphia PDBill Weston’s dynamic duo in programming – APDChuck Damico and MD Sean “The Rabbi” Tyszler. Each has contributed greatly to WMMR’s resurgence and has flourished under Weston’s tutelage and the amazing team that has been assembled at Philadelphia’s true home of Rock N’ Roll. Here’s what they had to say…
eQB presents excerpts from the FMQB September Magazine Rock Q&A featuring WMMR/Philadelphia APD Chuck Damico and MD Sean “The Rabbi” Tyszler
Their thoughts on the competition in the Philly market…
Chuck: In a PPM world there are many ways to succeed and both WYSP and Radio 104.5 are taking paths that can work. We all know content is king and that’s what ’YSP is working to offer. Compelling content is what it’s all about and they’ve got some of the pieces in place. 104 is not a true “Alternative” in the music sense of the term but they have established themselves as another “option”. The thing that may be a road block for both stations though is their corporate situations. We’re given a lot of freedom and resources at Greater Media, and I’m not sure they’re given everything they need over at ’YSP and 104 and that can make things pretty tough.
Rabbi: It was great having no competition for a few months but with our success we knew deep down that there was a target on our back and that some station was going to go Rock. Radio 104.5 is the “new toy” in town so it is hard to compete when something is new. With any new station there will always be a lot of sampling going on but everything new has to become old at some point and they hit their peak and are starting to level off. Ultimately their music selection will burn and they will have to add commercials (which they only play three minutes of right now). I am not sure if they are going to add jocks and a street team but right now they are a mass appeal music jukebox. We’ve made a few adjustments but nothing major and they are all great improvements that we should have done a while ago. I do not really consider ‘YSP competition anymore. In my eyes they are a Talk station. Obviously they are taking notice of our success because they recently started playing bands and songs that they have not played since they went Free-FM two years ago. I feel that a little competition makes you better so in my opinion it is not the worst thing. Also they help familiarize some songs that we play even though we do not sound alike.
On the dynamic between themselves and PD Bill Weston…
Chuck: Bill’s a real good manager. He puts good people in place and let’s them do their thing… that is until their thing blows then he knocks them back on track. We’re pals but he’s the boss ya know? Music and creative meetings are set up so everyone has equal voice, but given the nature of his position he needs to have final say and I honestly can’t remember being discouraged by his calls or the process. He’s won big before and he’s doing it here. Something about his way just works.
Rabbi: We are a true team at WMMR and everyone in all the departments get along. Bill is always asking Chuck and me for feedback and constantly looks to us for our input and suggestions. I run our Monday music meetings so Bill trusts my ears that I will bring the right records into the meetings. Bill cares about the station immensely. We all have the winning attitude and the mentality that whatever we do we always think in terms of what is the best for WMMR.
On WMMR re-claiming the mantle as the city’s best Rock station…
Chuck: A number of things happened that presented a great opportunity for success and we maximized those opportunities. The first one was Radio One didn’t work hard enough to retainPreston and Steve. Bill and John Fullam jumped on that chance and got those guys over here and got them on air. Another really important part to that puzzle is that fact that we gave them what they needed to succeed. I can’t tell you how many times they’ve told me about things they wanted to do at Y100 but either weren’t allowed or couldn’t get the resources. I spend a lot of time working to get those guys the tools and permission they need. It goes a long way, not just for the particular bit or stunt, but well beyond that in to their attitude and work ethic they give back to the station. Stern’s leaving of course was another major opportunity. Our answer (Preston and Steve) was in place and firing on all cylinders when he split. P&S beat Stern in his last month on the air 25-54. It was like a passing of a torch or something. Additionally we started feeding the music dayparts from the Mainstream, Active and Alternative inventory. We secured a great lineup by re-signing Pierre Robert and Jaxon and bringing Matt Cord back. We marketed with TV and outdoor and took advantage of all new technology opportunities – internet, podcasts, database, texting. We’re solid in every way.
Rabbi: I remember a meeting we had when Bill Weston was brought in as PD. He asked everyone in the room “what makes ’MMR so great?” We brainstormed for a good hour and came up with a few ideas and started implementing them. We also base a lot of programming and features on listener suggestions and feedback. I know you will never please everyone, but if we can please most of the people most of the time, they stick with us. Our listeners and MMR VIP’s (our listener club) are like family. We try to hook them in whenever we can. We are a Philly staple. A lot of listeners grew up with us and have kept us in their family for almost three generations now. There are millions of listeners out there who share our heritage and have a fond memory of the station. The fact that we are so user friendly plays to our advantage. Listeners want us to be successful and stick around.
On the Preston & Steve Show…
Chuck: The show is funny first and foremost. Steve Morrison is an alien. He’s seems to have seen every movie, read every book and knows what you’re thinking three seconds before you do. He’s worked as a comic and transitioned it in to a “radio comic”. He’s not just funny; he’s the perfect kind of funny for morning radio. The show is also very local and I don’t mean traffic and weather. They find things that Philadelphians and South Jersey people are talking about and they make it very entertaining. They’re not too cool for anyone and they’re certainly not afraid to rip themselves. Their keys to success – well I’ve touched on a few things already, they’re work ethic is amazing especially for a show this successful. They’re good people. Egos are in check and they’ve got a great team around them. Executive Producer Casey Foster is a key player. Preston Elliot is probably the best show “driver” in the business and that makes Casey the navigator. He lines up great guests and manages the program as it happens. The show’s had a few different female players over the years but Kathy Romano is really the perfect fit. She’s been there about five years and can really hold her own in that room full of idiot guys. Nick McIlwain who actually started here at ’MMR as an intern for me left to join them at Y100 and ironically is back at ’MMR. He’s become the internet manager in addition to helping produce. WMMR.com and prestonandsteve.com are both wildly successful since the show’s come over. Nick does a great job handling their internet presence. Since coming here they’ve added a sixth person – Marisa Magnatta. She was here when they got here and the minute they saw what she can do she became a full time member. She supports the show primarily off air handling a staff of interns, phones, archiving, logistics and occasional wild animals in the studio.
On ‘MMR’s music programming…
Rabbi: We are “Everything That Rocks.” It is a difficult balance to keep our listeners – who are very diverse – happy. Since our music sound is so mass appeal our audience comes from all walks of life. We have some listeners who have been with us for almost 40 years and we also have some new listeners who have recently found us. We have listeners who love the (I hate to use the word) “classics” but we also have listeners who love all the new music we play. We do not limit our selves to sound codes and texture. A good rock song is a good rock song. We have had Killswitch Engage and Muse in rotation at WMMR at the same time. At the end of the day we still know that Zeppelin, Guns N’ Roses, Green Day, Nirvana and Foo Fighters will always deliver. We want to keep our listeners happy. Plus we want to reward everyone who sticks around for more than 20 minutes and that is where the MM-aRchives come in. They are songs that you will not hear on any other station and make us stand out as a rock staple. It is more than just live in studio performances; they are songs that you will not hear on any other radio station in the area. Our listeners trust us with the music we play. They know that whenever they put on WMMR we are playing a great rock song.
**QB Content by Mike Bacon**
| Also in the September Issue: |
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Artist Spotlight: Smashing Pumpkins Q&A: SVP Marketing & Promotion |
