Interview with Mr. Greg Carpenter

                                                              by The Hampton Herald Staff
​Greg Carpenter Interview
Mr. Greg Carpenter is the radio host of the Morning Show on 101.9.  Our staff sat down with Mr. Carpenter to ask some questions about his career.
 
How long have you been a radio host?
Since 1988.
 
What inspired you to get into radio?
My aunt and my uncle were in radio back in the 1900s and they got me interested in it.  There’s a radio station today called Z 104.  Back when I was young it was called B-104.  It was just a hobby; I was just always interested in it. And I just thought, "How can I do this and get paid?”
 
How did you choose to work at 101.9?
I used to work at Mix 106.5.  That’s the same company.  They are together.  They asked me when I was on Mix to come across the hall to 101.9.  They asked me, and I said “Sure.”
 
Have you had any other jobs besides the radio?
I used to work at Valley View Farms.  In the winter it’s Christmas, in the summer it’s bushes etc.
 
What do you like most about your job?
I love music.  That’s the big thing.  I absolutely love music. I also love talking to and with people.  It’s fun to say something on the radio and have someone say it back to me.
 
What is your least favorite part of your job?
Waking up at 4:30 in the morning.  It’s tough to stay quiet in the house while everyone is sleeping.
 
How long is your workday?
I get there at 5:15 a.m. and leave at 2:30 p.m.
 
What is a typical day like?
Sleep ‘til 4:00am get there at 5:00am then 5:45-9:00 am morning show next work with promotion and work on the show in the afternoon.
 
What is your favorite part about your job?
The on-air show.  I’m on the radio from 5:30ish to 9:00 in the morning.  When you guys are getting ready for school, that’s when I’m on and that’s my favorite time.
 
How do you decide what prizes to give away?
A lot of events come to town—they come to us and ask can you help promote or our events.  We say no if they don’t really fit.  We do say no, but the ones who fit our radio station.
 
How do endorsements work?
Commercials.  Sometimes, a commercial company will come to me and say can you talk about my company.   We do endorsements.  I have Serta pro painters.
 
Did you make any friends at work?
One of my friends helped me get the job and then as I’ve gotten the job, I’ve made a ton of friends.  We all get along really well.  Since I’ve worked there, I’ve made lots of friends.
 
What are some cool or interesting experiences you’ve had because of work?
The best ones are I get to be backstage at concerts.  There’s a band called Hootie and the Blow fish.  Before their concert, I got to play basketball with him.
 
Where did you go to college?
Towson University.  Back then it was called Towson State University.
 
Do you ever get stage fright?
Not really.  I like to talk in front of people.  You get a little nervous, but I’ve never had it so I couldn’t go in front of people.
 
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into radio hosting?
Get to know everyone.  And I’ll say this to everybody.  The more people you know, the better you’ll be in your career.  Whatever you choose. The more people you know on the playground, the more you have fun.  The more people you get to know the more people can help you do your job.  So, the short answer is get to know as many people as you can.
 
Do you have a favorite interview you’ve done?
Yes, do you watch American Idol?  A couple of years ago Lionel Richie was a judge.  He came through the radio station, and he was the coolest, nicest man.
 
If you weren’t a radio host, what would you be doing?
I don’t know.  That’s a great question.  I’m a big believer in doing what makes you happy.  My first thought was boats.  Boats make me happy.  So, something with boats.
 
Has your job changed over the years?
Technology.  When I first started, we played things called records.  Then it changed from vinyl to tapes.  Then we played a whole bunch of tapes.  Then after tapes, it went to CDs.  Then after, everything went on the computer.  Now there’s touch screens and buttons everywhere.
 
Would you like to do any other types of broadcasting?
I would love to be an Oriole play by play broadcaster.  I love baseball and I love the Orioles, so that would be fun.
 
Do you enjoy your job?
Yes. I like it because I like talking to listeners.  We do something “College of Knowledge.” At 7:30, we do trivia.  There are 3 questions, and we see if the listeners get it right.
 
What skills do you need to be a radio host?
Good communication skills.  You have to learn how to tell a story.  Stories always have a beginning, middle, and an end.  The second thing is learning the technology to work the show.
 
Do you have anyone in particular who you’d like to interview?
No one in particular.  The people I like to interview are people who give good answers.
 
Have you interviewed any celebrities?
I have interviewed Ed Sheeran.  I didn’t interview Sabrina Carpenter.  She came by the station, and I got to meet her. 
 
What is the best part of working with a co-host?
The best part about working with a co-host is you can have a conversation and bounce things off of each other.  You can bring something up and they answer it.  If you mess up, they’ll help you fix your mess up.  It’s nice to have a partner.  I say dumb things all the time, if I say things that aren’t the smartest, she can help me get back to track.
 
Are there any challenges to working in radio?
One of the bad parts about radio is sometimes there are layoffs.
 
Since 101.9 talks about a lot of charities, do you have a favorite?
Yes, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.  They help sick kids and do a great job in the community.  Komen, which deals with certain types of cancer.   They are my two big charities.
 
What’s the most played song right now?
Most played right now is Teddy Swims “Lose Control.” So there are official rotations of music.  Powers get played every 7 hours and the other ones get played every 90 minutes.
 
 
What do you like to do outside of work?
Playing with my dog, Dexter or my 5 kids or gardening. I like being outside, and I also really like boats.
 
Do you have any other pets?
I also have two cats—Riley and Leo--and we have two fish—Phil and Brian
 
 
Where is your favorite place to go?
Oriole Park.  I like to be out on the bay.  And the beach.
 
What’s your dream vacation?
Disney Cruise.  If you have a chance to go on a Disney Cruise, you have to go.
 
Do you ever travel for work?
Yes, we do travel.  A lot times it’s for contesting.  We’ll broadcast live from an area that’s a big prize.  Live from Disney or Disney Cruise.  We’ve broadcast from the Disney Cruise ship before.  We’ve broadcast live from sandals in the Caribbean.
 
What happens if you are sick?
We do have fill-in people.  If I get sick, there will be someone to fill in for them so we can have two people on.  Sometimes you’re in the middle of the show and you don’t feel good.  Sometimes you play just a long song.  The person I’m on with we’ll just take over.
 
Do you get merch from your job?
Yup definitely, we get a lot of stuff, mostly sweatshirts and t-shirts.
 
If there was a quote you could share with the world, what would it be?
Be nice to each other and get off your phone.