30 Under 30 Honoree Profiles: Tommy Chuck
Written May. 23, 2008 by Edison in 30 Under 30 with 1 Comment
Title: Program Director/WFLZ, Gulf Coast Regional Director of Interactive Services
Who is Tommy? "December 10th, 1980, it happened... I popped out! Born in Erwin, TN, I was blessed to have family in the radio business. My father and uncle both worked at the hometown radio station (WEMB) since they were in high school. Needless to say, I didn't have any trouble getting my foot in the door. I took advantage of that opportunity at age 7 and they put me to work! My first experience solo was pressing buttons for a major league baseball game broadcast. Of course, when I was that young, it was just for fun. It wasn't until age 15 that I officially got a job there and worked part-time until the day I graduated high school.
From high school graduation until now, it's been a blur. After the ceremony, I packed my car and moved to Knoxville, TN immediately to attend college at The University of Tennessee and host the night show on WTXM-FM. Within a year and ½, I was promoted to Assistant Program Director and afternoon host. In August 2000, I received an amazing offer to become Program Director of WVSR-FM in Charleston, WV. At age 19, it was an offer I couldn't turn down.
My time in Charleston was short as it was only four months later that Clear Channel Radio called my name and I became Program Director and Afternoon host on WKXJ-FM in Chattanooga, TN. Since January 2001, I have been with Clear Channel. I spent three years in Chattanooga before being promoted to WQEN-FM in Birmingham, AL as Program Director and Afternoon host. It was during my time in Birmingham that I began picking up additional responsibilities with other stations in the cluster and assisting Program Directors in smaller (and some larger) markets. In March 2006, Clear Channel promoted me once again. This time, I was off to hang with Mickey Mouse in Orlando, FL as Program Director of WXXL-FM. Orlando was another short stop on my whirlwind tour as it was a short nine months later that Clear Channel Tampa and WFLZ-FM called my name. A year and 4 months later, I'm still blessed with that role along with the role of Regional Director of Interactive Services for the Gulf Coast Region."
What would your dream job be? "Head Coach of a Division I college basketball team!"
Who has been your greatest influence? "My father, no question about it."
What is the one format that you can't believe nobody has done? "A better of mix of the best variety from the 70's, 80's, 90's and today so you can listen longer while you work! ...Oh wait."
How could radio do a better job of attracting younger listeners? "Actually TRYING to attract younger listeners would be a nice start."
How will radio remain relevant in a digital world? "Creating better content."
Reader Comments
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Tommy has been amazing in many ways, including his natural talent for anything radio (which is in his dna), since he was just a little boy. He has accomplished all of this through dedication and professionalism, and I know all of the hometown folks are very proud of him! His parents and sister give him a wonderful foundation and he has built an admirable life upon that!