West New York got a new personality – radio personality, that is – when a disc jockey dubbed Chunky moved into the area earlier this month, along with the new top 40 station 92.3 NOW FM.
The station was once K-Rock and used to showcase personalities like Howard Stern. Now, the station is geared toward women age 18 to 34, and Chunky has his own female-centered show, Chunky Radio, from 7 to 11 p.m. on weeknights.
It is a challenge, he said, but it’s also fun being a 28-year-old guy trying to relate to a young female audience.
“I just enjoy talking to people,” he said. “I enjoy talking to all the listeners of my show, even the crazy ones.”
During his show, he encourages his listeners to call in to talk about what is going on in their lives or maybe to address a topic he came up with, like dating a guy with a cat or being arrested. Chunky said that he gets plenty of entertaining calls.
“The more I can learn about women at work, the more it helps me in my personal life.” – Chunky
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He said that his show has also been educational for him.
“The more I can learn about women at work, the more it helps me in my personal life,” he said.
Started in college
He started in radio as a college student at Western Carolina University.
“I honestly just went there because I thought it was expected and my parents wanted me to go to college,” said Chunky. “I really didn’t have any other reason to be there except for partying.”
Then, he discovered his college radio station.
“This one played what we play on NOW FM,” he said. “It was a pop station run by students and I thought that it would be cool to try out.” The station gave him a very early Sunday morning slot, from 6 to 9 a.m., and everything took off from there, he said.
When asked what he likes most about being a DJ, Chunky said, “I think I like everything.” He added that it really makes his day when listeners let him know he has helped put them in a better mood or even made them laugh.
Chunky may also add to the joy of West New York, where he has now been a resident for three weeks. He said he thinks he will stay a while.
“I love it,” he said. “It’s beautiful. I like just the fact that you know being in the city, it is real crazy and when you come here, it is like a vacation home.”
This is not, however, the farthest he has been from his hometown of Charlotte, N.C. Chunky said he has previously lived in Idaho and was on the radio waves in Detroit before coming to New York.
“All that moving was to try to make it to the top, as high as I could, in radio,” he said. “This is my dream job, so I am hoping it never goes away.”
Amanda Staab can be reached at astaab@hudsonreporter.com.