10 Questions with ... Terry O'Donnell

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

1994-2004 WPYX/WTRY Clear Channel Albany
2004-2011 WFLY Albany Broadcasting Company Albany
2011-2012 WQSH Townsquare Media Albany
2012-2014 WPKF/WRNQ/WKIP Clear Channel Hudson Valley
2014-2015 WHYN/WRNX iHeartMedia Springfield, MA
2016-2021 WKKF iHeartMedia Albany
Jan 2022-Aug 2022 Promotions Director/Townsquare Media Albany
Sept 2022-Present WYJB/WAJZ/WROW Albany Broadcasting Company Albany

1. How would you describe your first radio gig?

At 17 I scored a high school internship at the local classic rock station PYX 106 – I was young, impressionable, and I was quickly corrupted

2. What led you to a career in radio?

I remember as a kid scanning through the AM dial on my Walkman late at night and picking up stations from around the country. I found that fascinating- I think that's what got me interested. When I got that internship in high school, I was hooked.

3. You've spent the bulk of your career on the air and programming in New York State's Capital Region. What's it like for you to have all this happen where you grew up?

Lots of radio people I know love to move around the country, I'm the opposite. I like to stay as close to family and friends as possible. It's also good for endorsement$.

4. You still get to be on the r-a-d-i-o every afternoon on B95.5. What is that part of your day like for you?

Spending time in the studio is almost like going to Superman's Fortress of Solitude – it's the one point of my day where there are very few interruptions

5. Who would you love to come in and plug in across from you and be a guest on the show?

Gary Busey.

6. You also oversee Top 40/Rhythmic WAJZ (Jamz 96.3), and Oldies WROW-A (Magic 590/100.5). How do you keep all the balls in the air?

I'm very lucky to have something that's lacking in the industry today – and that is a TEAM. There is an incredible local staff here at Albany Broadcasting.

7. No two mainstream AC stations sound the same these days. What does it take for a "current" to cut through and make it on the air there?

A lot. AC is all about familiarity, so the amount of currents in our playlist is very limited and only the best of the best see the light of day.

8. What's your all-time favorite backstage memory?

Partying with Coolio after my first WFLY Summer Jam back in 2008. He made me pay for his shots (two doubles of Patron). When I brought them over to him he yelled at me because he needed them chilled and with salt. But I did as he said, because – he's Coolio. I considered it an honor.

9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?

I grew up listening to Mason and Sheehan on WPYX.

10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

Buzz Brindle, John Cooper and Randy McCarten three people who really taught me the business and gave me some amazing opportunities to grow. They also tolerated me, which is a feat in and of itself. For job security purposes, I'll throw my current boss Kevin Callahan in there too.

With the venue of choice at your disposal and an unlimited budget, which 6 acts would you pull together to throw a massive listener concert?

I will answer this as if I'm the listener: NSYNC, System of a Down, Night Ranger, Eric Carmen, Huey Lewis and Christopher Cross. This is the greatest concert lineup ever and I don't care if I'm the only one in the audience.