December 14, 2018
What have been your most rewarding moments both professionally and personally this year?
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Java Joel, WAKS: My 1st year as PD of Kiss/Cleveland has been incredibly rewarding. To top off the year, we literally just launched our new hip-hop station, the new REAL 106.1. With all that, I’m even prouder of my son, Charley. His growth over the last year has been incredible. Seems just like yesterday he was a baby… Now, he’s aircheckin’ my stations! (“Why do you still play THIS song, Daddy?”) Here’s to a great 2018 and an even better 2019. Merry Christmas everyone!
R Dub! Z90: Professionally: Having another awesome year with my team at Z90 and Magic 92.5, and reaching the 170-station mark with Sunday Night Slow Jams. Personally: Surpassing the 100-country mark on my quest to see all 193 countries on earth. Mike “OD” O’Donnell, WKRZ: Personally, my first Mission’s Trip to Haiti back in April. That was a life-changing experience. Professionally, I brought on a new Promotions Director who I absolutely love. It feels good when you hire someone you feel very comfortable with and they pan out to be very adept at their job.
Sassy, WKXJ: Personally, I’m still child-free and now single, so thank God. Professionally, I was taking a selfie with my new CEO David Field and having everyone on the Entercom team wonder how I got him to do it (lol). Big Rob, KSME: Professionally helping take KISS to new huge ratings and revenue wise, and personally being a dad watching my 2-year old grow every day. |
Matt Johnson, KSLZ: Professionally, taking the helm of the mighty KSLZ-FM. Personally, seeing my kids settle into a new school quickly and making a smooth transition.
Jonathan Reed, WNOK: Professionally, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some great brands in South Carolina and Georgia in the company. Personally, I’ve been able to accomplish taking part in 5k’s, I met someone and I’m ready to go into 2019! Rick Vaughn, Power 94.9: Professionally, getting KBER back to #1 Men 25-54 for 3rd quarter 2018. Personally, not falling to my death after getting temporarily frozen by fear on a rock wall hiking up to summit Broad’s Fork Twin Peaks on the 4th of July. Not dead = rewarding.
Brian Michel, iHeartMedia / Atlanta: Professionally was seeing our team come together and engage the community for hurricane relief efforts and send several tractor-trailers fully loaded to South Georgia and Florida. Personally, getting to see my kids do what they love, whether it’s the boys playing hockey or my daughter in gymnastics and dance. It’s always amazing to see them grow.
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Sara Cucci, WBBO: Professionally I’ve had a full year of the best ratings in station history! Personally, I got married and am just so blessed and grateful for what a wonderful year it has been. Chris K, The End: Actually, professional and personal tie together. Helping put the spotlight on the Camp Fire victims, I went to volunteer that very weekend up in Oroville at a donation center called The Hope Center. I took my son with me, which was kind of cool to have him learn about giving back firsthand. I had previously worked in the city of Paradise early in my career, and the city is now totally flattened, so I had a real connection there. I was talking about it quite a bit that week on the air and using radio for the good of the community. Gina Gray, WERO: Professionally, taking the reins of BOB 933, it’s a very exciting time for me at this stage of my career. Personally, I finally started adulting and bought a house, that fortunately survived hurricane Florence. Jeff Hurley, WLAN: The birth of my daughter surpasses everything this year!
Dave Dyer, WB Records: Hearing that Bebe Rexha and Dua Lipa are both nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy. Max Volume, KOZZ: Doing the afternoon drive shift on 105.7 KOZZ “Reno’s Classic Rock!” |
Raphael Opida, WIOQ: I feel like work and personal life go hand in hand in this biz. It’s been amazing growing personally and professionally into a critical role for my radio station, being able to make the “big-boy” decisions, networking with some cool industry people and building a personal relationship with them, and of course, all of it culminating to throwing a big holiday concert (shout out Q102 Jingle Ball) for our biggest fans! I look forward to 2019!
Kobe, WWHT: Professionally, the ability to continue to perform at a high level in the eyes of myself and my employers. Personally, to keep growing year after year and never becoming stagnant.
Rob Roberts, WRQX: Bringing Mix back from the dead has been a life-changing opportunity for me. Personally, who knew I was going to love living in Maryland?!?
Mike McVay, Cumulus Media: Professionally, emerging from bankruptcy in a stronger position and without having to eliminate jobs. The people that make Cumulus great remain. Personally, listening to my daughter on the radio. She works for Saga, which is a very good company, and the environment is one she raves about. I enjoy being able to hear her grow.
Jon Zellner, iHeartMedia: Professionally, reading my answers weekly in FMQB. Personally, watching Mackenzie, my youngest daughter, become a college graduate.
Kevin Kash, WIYY: Professionally, I continue to grow as a viable contributor of entertainment and information through my job in radio. Whether they dig they music or something I say, it’s that human connection that makes it all good. Personally, I continue to grow husband and father. No price on that.
Jonathan Shuford, WRVW: Professionally, our recent LIVE. LIFE. LOVE. concert for suicide prevention was a huge success and we raised a lot of money which was very gratifying. Our other benchmark event this year, River on the Rooftop during the summer, was also pretty exciting. Personally, I’m rewarded by the Packers finally getting rid of McCarthy.
Derrick “DC” Cole, WAEB: Most rewarding for me in 2018 is having my first baby boy a few days ago, welcome to the world Nathan Tyler Cole. Professionally, it’s rewarding to talk about my journey of fatherhood on air and having listeners come up to me as they follow my journey.Next Week’s Question Of The Week:
What will be the biggest issues/challenges the radio industry will face in 2019?
e-Mail your responses to: jodorisio@fmqb.com or bburke@fmqb.com
