NAME: Zach T. Martin
TITLE: Executive Producer/Air Personality/Voiceover Producer
STATION: WAXQ (Q104.3)
MARKET: New York, NY
COMPANY: Clear Channel Entertainment
BORN: 12-29-64
RAISED: Ridgewood, NJ, but grew up in Keanesburg, Middletown, NJ
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
3/10/98 -- Present: WAXQ … On-Air Personality/Executive Producer. I handle Weekend/Fill shifts and I'm Executive Producer of "The Scott Muni Show." 05/29/96 -- 01/04/97: WKOC/WNIS/WROX, Norfolk, VA … On-air personality

6/02/94 -- 04/16/96: WGRX/Baltimore … Afternoon Drive2/05/91 -- 6/05/94: WIYY/Baltimore … On-air personalityI have also been the talent for WYCR/York, WPLY/Philadelphia, WHTG/Asbury Park, KAZY/Denver, WRNC/Riverhead, WZZQ/Terre Haute, and WKTU/Atlantic City.
1. What made you want to get into radio? Early influences? First job?
I was always interested in radio; it started in the 60s listening to the great AM DJ's on my Dad's transistor radio. I began to feel that I would really dig being a disc jockey. We'd drive around listening to Imus and my parents couldn't even figure out if he 'was' funny, but I started to mimic him. Then I discovered FM radio … and learned about all the music and the groups. We'd try to name the songs on WNEW or WPLJ … on the first note! We'd also name the groups, chart positions, labels and release dates. I always won! 2. Who/what has given you your edge in your specific market?
I think I have a very-definite edge because I've been in so many great markets. I always believe that talent has to make the listener feel that he or she is from the same area. When I first came to Baltimore (98 Rock), I told everyone I was Fells Point. I made sure that people didn't know I was from New York until I was accepted as a local. The same holds true in any markets that I was working. Having the experience of adapting to different environments and learning different methods gives me the advantage over a competitor. I want my competitor unable to guess my next move, or precise way of thinking. I try not to be so predictable. The other factor in the equation is the team. You need great teammates and good coaching. I've been very lucky in that regard. 3. What do you find is the most effective and interesting way to reach your listeners while on the air?
Listeners respond most effectively to a regular guy or gal. Just be yourself and don't try too hard. DJ's always sense they need to come up with something to say all the time. It's all about the balance and flow on the air. Humor happens when one is being natural. It is also very important to be prepared. I make sure to get the latest info on the artists, and even call some of them I know to find out what is going on in their lives. I also don't talk down to people, or act like I am living the high life. I let them know my opinion when it counts. The secret is how to be the most effective in your delivery has to be learned. 4. Biggest changes in the industry you would like to see happen?
There have been two major factors that have affected the radio business. Consolidation has the potential to seriously erode the medium. Some companies are extremely savvy in maximizing the efficiency of how the business is operated. The caveat with the power of the media being held in fewer hands is the potential to limit diversity. I am concerned over the lack of diversity and fair competition. The other force is technology. I think it is imperative to better understand the proper use to maximize the effectiveness of this new technology. 5. Any advice you could give to less experienced, up and coming radio folks out there?
Once again, I say that a person has got to be true to himself. Remember to keep a positive attitude and visualize success. Never give up, and be aware that sometimes it gets really tough. I can remember sleeping on the floor amongst bugs and rats, not having a car, using public transportation, and not having enough food. I knew that all the hell would help my sense of humor. You cannot give up a dream. Lastly, the person who you think is so much superior than you got to that position by working and being in the right place, at the right time. 6. If you wanted to completely change careers today what would you do?
My dream is to be an over-paid CEO of a Fortune 500 Company making $57,000,000 while playing golf and laying off employees to drive up stock prices, because after all, I owe it to the shareholders! 7. What do you think of the current state of the ROCK/ACTIVE ROCK format?
The Rock formats are strong and will survive and probably regain the lead over other formats in many markets. I remember when Top 40 was on the endangered species list in the late-80s and early-90s. Top 40 is now strong again. It is cyclical. The product is out there as well to help foster continued growth. Audioslave, Saliva, Chevelle, Nickelback, and Creed are all interesting newcomers. People still love Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Foo Fighters and the other Dave Grohl areas of musical influence. The classic artists are still putting out product that is viable, as well as cashing in on the tours. Commercials feature great classics that end up being discovered by a whole new generation of listeners. The most important thing for the potential success or failure of a radio station in any format is imaging, plain and simple. If the format is stale, it will not get ratings. People love features and benefits … so give it to them! 8. Does your station's website have any sort of "attention grabbing" qualities to its homepage? If so, what is it, and how effective has it been driving traffic to the site?
"The Q104-3 website has several interesting features that make it a nice place to visit. Like radio, the web needs to be viewed as a living organism. The content has to be updated on a regular basis. The site does not have to be complicated either. If a site has a choice to skip the into or not, guess what happens… the intro gets skipped. If one thinks while designing the content that people need to be given the option to skip something, then maybe the content or design should be eliminated. People want to see the personalities. That is the biggest reason for going to the site. Listeners need their voyeuristic needs met. I love seeing what some of these radio people are like and look like and what they are about. I also think that as personalities we need to our own sites. I have www.zachtmartin.com, which currently includes my full interview with Pete Best. 9. Any advice for young up-and-coming label promoters new to radio promotion?
Record-promo people should try to make as many contacts as possible. Promo guys should not only send out product to the PDs and MDs, but to the on-air personalities, as well. At most stations, the DJs do not know enough of what is going on in the music world. The record companies should make every effort to reach out to the on-air staffs, especially in the top ten markets. 10. What's It Like Working with Mr. Muni?
I always dreamed of working with Scott Muni. I am continually amazed that the dream came true. We are a great team, and we are very close friends. It is a great feeling to enjoy top ratings in NY. Scott has helped me become a great on-air personality. I owe him a lot. He is a radio icon to which we in rock radio owe a tremendous debt. The guy is in 'The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame' for God's sake! Many people aren't aware that he is also a very funny guy! BONUS QUESTION: A. You are the remaining survivor on a remote tropical island with no chance for rescue. You have a CD/DVD player with endless power. What five CD's are a "must" to have with you? What five movies? CD'S
HOUSES OF THE HOLY
LET IT BE
LED ZEPPELIN 2
LED ZEPPELIN 4
PHYSICAL GRAFITTI

MOVIES
PATTON
FULL METAL JACKET
GODFATHER 1
GETTYSBURG
GLENN MILLER STORY