Pauly, Paul, PWK!!!! My dawg hope all is well your way. I appreciate you taking the time out of your schedule to do this interview. So you’re originally from Cleveland, Ohio – went to Nordonia High School. This is where your love for radio and wrestling started. Tell us a little bit about your life as a kid and what got you into both wrestling and radio?
Only child, stayed inside a lot. Radio, Music, TV & Pro Wrestling were like my siblings. Though as a teen, I got into musical theater. That opened me up and brought out my artistic, goofy side. First gig out of high school was Assistant Production Manager for the Cleveland Opera – On Tour. We went to both rural & inner city schools to bring a little culture to kids who didn’t live in communities that provided those opportunities… After that gig, a friend in Ohio opened the door to radio by inviting me to do characters on his show. From there, I went to Ohio Media School and was hired before I even graduated.
At the same time I was breaking into radio, I was also breaking into the independent wrestling scene in the Ohio area. I started as a ring announcer on a local TV show and that lasted about 2 1/2 before moving to Vegas.
At some point you took a move and opportunity out to Las Vegas – what initiated this situation? How did it come about? Were you already working in radio at the time?
I needed out of Ohio. Yes, I was working in radio & wrestling, but I was broke and living on friends’ couches. A coworker showed me a job posting for a Las Vegas radio station that needed a weekend personality / weekday board-op for the Howard Stern Show. This was a chance to get paid to do what I was already pretty much doing for free or very little. Plus I had family out there.
I believe you gave Vegas and X 107.5 the past 15 years of your life – what would you say is your favorite or most memorable radio moment during that timeframe?
I don’t know… haha… There are so many moments. In my 20s, it was the non-stop hard work and non-stop party. We put in the time and sweat and we celebrated every moment! I had many chances to rub elbows with some big stars. It was surreal and a dream come true.
Though in my late 20s / early 30s, I was humbled a bit, when the economy went to shit and I was laid off. BUT they offered me a chance to come back, IF I started over from scratch. Make next to nothing and work limited hours. Those limited hours became full time very quickly… but then the position was eliminated yet again. Though I had a Program Director that fought for me and I’ll never forget her efforts to keep me on the team… and she did! For the audience, nothing every changed. But behind the scenes, I had to start over once again. I survived many management changes over the years and built myself back up. Eventually, the new ownership made changes and that position of Production Director and Night Personality went away, yet again, and I was gone for good… I have to be honest, after the couple years I had been through (professionally and personally), it was a relief and forced me to do what came next.
During this timeframe you also got involved in FSW – explain what FSW is for those who might not know, your role in the organization, and how you came into that title…
Future Stars of Wrestling, an independent wrestling company in Vegas with some amazing talent and people who have moved on to the big time. I started out as TV and Live Event Host and then after 4 years, I was named Commissioner of the company. That turned into a role that I cherished. I became the “evil authority figure” that was a pain in the side of Karrion Kross (current WWE Superstar). He eventually put me through a table. Yeah, that hurt!
How valuable would you say something like FSW is to the wrestling community especially since not every city has something like it?
Considering that many talents have moved on to the big leagues, FSW has proven to be the breeding ground for… wait for it… the FUTURE STARS OF WRESTLING!
You’re now in South Bend on 103.9 The Bear – BiG CONGRATS!!! How did this move come about?
I packed my stuff and drove across the country… hee hee… No. While I was laid off and in a bad situation in Vegas, I was looking for work anywhere. I was in talks with a few companies, BUT they were either in some real unattractive places or they were the corporate giant companies that really don’t value their talent and those opportunities were in markets I could afford. I had enough of that lifestyle for a while. But then I started getting emails and phone calls from a company based out of South Bend, Indiana called Federated Media. After an hour and a half phone call with the company’s top dog, I knew this was where I was going. The next day, he offered to fly me out for a formal interview. The Monday after that, I was offered the gig… and I accepted.
How is the transition in regards to weather? Aha!
I was born and raised in Cleveland. Spent 23 snowy winters and rainy springs in that place. But I have to tell ya, you get adjusted to that paradise Vegas weather real quickly and forget about that cold shit.
What is your role with the station?
My main role is Production Director for the South Bend cluster. I manage the commercials for 6 stations. This role is way different than the Production Director role I had in Vegas. WAY more responsibilities. I actually feel needed and appreciated. Not just a number on a list.
The other role I have is Afternoon Host on Real Rock 103.9 The Bear. It’s an Active Rock station and I really love it!
What is one thing you would tell someone trying to pursue a radio career these days?
You know what I’d say… but I’ll give a more positive answer for this interview… Work your ass off! Be reliable and available at all times. Never say no! If your PD didn’t pick you first for assignment, make them regret that with your hard work. Out perform your peers. I tried living by that for many years and I feel it’s what kept me around for so long. Though I feel bad for my final PD in Vegas. He didn’t get the best of me because of personal situations.
Another bit of advice… STAY SINGLE, so nothing gets in your way.
What is the toughest thing you have endured during your radio career?
Trying to balance a personal life, building a family along with maintaining my career. I failed.
But a close 2nd is what’s happening now. I moved to a new place in the dead of winter and as soon as the snow melted, a pandemic hit. So aside from coworkers, I haven’t made friends or had a chance to mingle or get to know this town. It’s like house arrest with work release. But I am SOOOOOO grateful to be employed and have the ability to apply my craft.
Who is your favorite jock of all time?
My favorite jock is the late Len “Boom Boom” Goldberg from WMMS in Cleveland. He was very unique and did his own thing.
My favorite personality is Howard Stern. He is the reason I’m doing this. Though I do not want to do what he does, I am inspired by how revolutionary he has been. The greatest to every use the medium of radio to propel himself into superstardom.
What makes a good jock?
Either too much pride or no pride at all… and persistence.
What makes a good night jock?
The ability to speak to the creatures of the night. It’s a different air shift than the rest of the day, especially in Vegas.
What is the best thing that happened to you during your radio career?
Didn’t you already ask me this? To be specific, it was developing a relationship with my first love, WWE. Because of my radio gig, they paid attention to me and always hooked me up with opportunities to cover their events.
Favorite wrestler of all time?
Favorite Wrestler – Shawn Michaels
Favorite Character – The Undertaker
Favorite Superstar – Steve Austin
Favorite Villain – Vince McMahon
Favorite Newcomer – Karrion Kross
Favorite genre of music?
All of Alternative. All of Rock, is a close 2nd. Oldies/Classic Rock, in at 3rd.
Favorite artist or band of all time?
Favorite band is Green Day. Favorite Artist is Chris Cornell of Soundgarden.
Are you a good dancer?
Great interpretive dancer.
How does one properly make a pb&j?
2 slices of white bread. CREAMY peanut butter on one slice. GRAPE jelly on the other. Slap them bitches together, cut it diagonally and EAT IT!
Where do you see radio in 5 years? 10 years?
As long as the infrastructure is still intact, traditional radio will still exist. In fact, it’s getting easier and easier for anyone to have an audio platform. So radio will always be around, whether it’s music, podcasts, etc. Though the paying gigs may get less and less.
Favorite wrestling commentator of all time?
Jim Ross, my hero. Saved my life.
Favorite wrestling organization of all time?
WWE – The best!
Best wrestling event you’ve even experienced?
Any WrestleMania weekend. The entire weekend of events. There is nothing like it. The Super Bowl only wishes it was as much fun.
Best concert you’ve ever experienced?
There have been SO MANY in my life that were great. Green Day puts on an amazing show. TOOL has the best visual presence. U2 blew me away. Metallica might have been the best performed show. But… I saw Paul McCartney. A Beatle. You can’t get better than that!
What goals do you have for the rest of 2020?
Survive. Make it to 2021 and hope there are opportunities to go outside and mingle again.
Anything else you wanna tell the readers?
A.D. and I are lovers. I swore I wouldn’t out him, but I can’t hold it in anymore!!!!!!!!
Nah, I appreciate you taking the time to even ask me questions. The fact that anyone would even read this or listen to me or watch me is more than I could ask for. It’s been a wild ride, but we’ve only been on a couple big hills, there are plenty more ahead and a couple loops before this coaster rolls back into the dock.
