The Infinite Dial

Who is Rob? "I was born and raised in Western Massachusetts, graduating Ludlow High School in 1997. After high school I did a brief stint in college always knowing what I really wanted to do. My mother and father ran a professional soccer team named the Western Mass. Pioneers, they needed an announcer...I auditioned, got the job, then enrolled in the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. I took my first "real" radio job running Red Sox games, and cutting tags for spots...they even called me the "Night Production" person. I always wanted to be on the air, and the opportunity arrived for me here at WMAS. I left a full time job with benefits for six hours a week on the air. After a few months of doing overnights the opportunity arrived for me to do a 2-7pm Saturday shift. In April of 2001 the break I had been waiting for finally arrived. Keith Stephens our afternoon guy got a job at WKLB in Boston, and I was named MD / Afternoon Drive host. Everyday gave me more and more responsibility eventually leading to where I am today. When I'm not working, I try to spend as much time as humanly possible with my wife Melissa, and my 10 month old daughter Kaitlynn."

What would your dream job be? "I'm pretty happy at this point in my life and I love my job, but I always wanted to own a lobster boat, so when the days get long...I imagine myself doing that."

Who has been your greatest influence? "Without sounding cliché, my Grandmother. When I first started doing overnights, she would sit up all night with a little radio, and give me a critique session the following day."

What is the one format that you can't believe nobody has done? "I would love to see a format where the 40 most popular records in the country are played every other hour...maybe call it...'Top 40'."

How could radio do a better job of attracting younger listeners? "By taking a step back, and remembering what turned us on to radio. I remember seeing my first live broadcast, and saying that's it...that's what I want to do...getting out more, and being relevant to them is key."

How will radio remain relevant in a digital world? "One thing that the other options don't provide is the ability to keep things local. People want to hear their local weather, traffic, news, etc. Something can also be said for local contesting."