Rock station 101.7 The WALL (WLLW) is throwing out the standard radio hiring playbook and letting the public audition for a paid morning-show co-host role through a new talent search called “Rock the Mic.”
Starting today, listeners 18 and older can submit a short audition video at 1017thewall.com/rockthemic introducing themselves, explaining why they’d be a good fit, and offering a sample of what they’d do on the air. The winner will earn a paid, part-time on-air position co-hosting The WALL’s morning show weekdays from 6 to 9 a.m. alongside current host Ken Paradise.
“It’s a fun, interactive way for us to find a new on-air personality to work with Ken,” said Paul Szmal, Operations Manager for FLX Local Media’s seven Finger Lakes radio stations. “We have a process in place with three judges, and the finalists will each do a morning show with Ken. From there the judges will make a call — but our ‘WALLnut’ listeners will have a voice in this too, through a fan vote on the website.”
The contest timeline includes:
• Submit audition videos by May 22 at 1017thewall.com/rockthemic
• Finalists announced May 29
• Live morning-show auditions with Ken Paradise during the week of June 8
• Fan voting opens June 8 at 1017thewall.com
• Winner announced on-air June 19
The judging panel includes Paul Szmal, Operations Manager; Ken Paradise, The WALL Morning Show Host; and Scott Swanson, General Manager.
Submissions are open to anyone 18 or older living in or around the Finger Lakes region. Full rules and eligibility information are available at 1017thewall.com/rockthemic-rules/.
101.7 The WALL is one of seven Finger Lakes radio stations operated by FLX Local Media, alongside Finger Lakes Daily News.
