Latest / What’s Up, Wake / Radio Royalty: DeLong's Tune-derful Journey
Transcript
- [00:00:00] Melissa: We've got a real treat today. She's arguably the most recognizable voice and local radio as part of the G 1 0 5 team. Since she was a sophomore in college, when she joined the wildly popular show, Bob and the show, Graham longtime fans have watched her go from college student to wife with kids. Now we hear her voice in the afternoon commute, and she's a regular contributor to our magazines with her [00:01:00] Erica Chats column. I'm particularly excited about this chat because I'm fortunate to call her a friend of mine. So this will be like sitting with a girlfriend for an hour. Today we get the chance to hear some behind the scenes radio stories, including how she got her start in the business. One thing's for sure. If you want to be a dj, you've gotta start from scratch. Welcome to Raleigh's Radio sweetheart, Erica DeLong. Erica DeLong: Hello. Hi, Erica. I know we're friends. I'm like, you don't have to gimme the introduction. Melissa: I know. We were already sitting here chatting before and, and Joe, our producer, is like, can we start this Erica DeLong: Oh yeah. Melissa: Because Erica DeLong: we already Melissa: started . How are you? I am doing great. I'm so happy to see you in person. I we're Erica DeLong: both so busy. It's like, oh, good to see you. I knows. Spend a minute. We've been trying to do Melissa: lunch. Yeah, we text a lot, but we don't get to see each other in person a lot. You're always all over the place. You're busy lady. Well, that's life. That's life for everybody these days. It is. It is. But particularly with you. So we're gonna get into that a little bit, but for our listeners who don't know, tell us how you got started in radio [00:02:00] and was radio always your dream? Erica DeLong: I begged my way in the door when I was in college. I actually, since I was in fifth grade, said I wanted to be Oprah. I wanted to be a version of Oprah. That's what I had. I would sign it in people's yearbooks growing up and stuff. And so then in college, I. I went to Peace, William. Peace now had a scholarship, had a boyfriend from high school that I was gonna spend my life with that didn't work out, but , you know, everything was planned out. And then Fortune fester, who is now doing remarkably well in Hollywood. Yes, she is killing it. She's doing great. She went to school with me and we were both in student government and she was like, Hey, why don't you do this internship? She was an intern at G 1 0 5. So I begged my way in the door, and this is when they actually allowed interns. So there was like 30 people trying to get in at the same time. I begged and begged and begged until finally somebody said, just come in here and start doing stuff. So I did and then fast forward to, they hired me 'cause I was such an idiot in college. I mean, I was an. I was an idiot. Yeah, that's the norm. They would tell me to do stupid stuff and I did whatever they asked [00:03:00] because I was in college. And so, they hired me as the assistant producer in college when I was a sophomore, which was really cool. But I never slept because I was doing like 18 credit hours, working, nannying, doing all the different things. But when you have a passion about something, you make it work. And so I just kind of fell into it and then it progressed to, now Melissa: that's, that's one thing I tell my kids is. If you're passionate about what you do mm-hmm. You'll never work a day in your life. So you're, I still work. You're proof that. Yeah. Erica DeLong: No, but it's fun. But you love it, you know, like, there's been many, many nights where I have, and I still do it. I spend the night trying to get things done because I'm determined, you know? Mm-hmm . I, it's like a girl dating a guy that doesn't wanna pay any attention. He will make a way or find a way if he really wants to. Just like, you'll find a way to make it happen if you have a passion for it, for your career or whatever you're doing. Melissa: So you wanted to be Oprah. Do you feel like what you do now has kind of. [00:04:00] Tipped that. Oh yeah. I mean goal, like, reached that dream. Well, now the trees in a way Erica DeLong: have evolved some. Mm-hmm 'cause you know, I have kids and that's my priority, obviously, and a husband. But I would say that, especially now that radio has evolved. I mean, I'm doing TV correspondence stuff with some of our locals. I've done other, you know, I outside of local. Magazines, it's kind of like we're all over the place. Mm-hmm . So I get a little bit of everything, which is nice. That is Melissa: true. Yeah. You get to be on, on the TV show, the local show. Remind us, Carolina. That's called Carolina. Okay. Yep. And then I'm done Sunday, Monday through Friday. Yeah. On, yeah. But you're on what, once a week or? Erica DeLong: It depends. Like we have a contract deal and then I have a individual thing going on with them. Okay. And so it's like iHeart has a partnership with them where we go on and we do like trade and then also I just do entertainment and stuff for them. Or if they have a red carpet event, I can go and cover it. 'cause I'm usually going and then give them the B-roll. Melissa: Okay. So speaking of red carpets, you have been on some pretty fabulous red carpets in the past. Erica DeLong: Yeah. The [00:05:00] Oscars, the Tony's, the Grammy's, I've been to all of them. Mm-hmm . I think right before Covid. I mean, it was, it was, I was going frequently and so, and you know, because I've young kids, I would literally fly to la do the red carpet, get changed in some random Walgreens bathroom and a, and a gown. Hop on the red carpet and then go back to the airport in a gown. And so that's how it would usually go. The Oscars, I remember my first one, and I think you may have included like a picture of Brad Pitt at some point in an article we've done together. Mm-hmm . I wanted to go and I didn't know until right before it was time to go because it was, it's very hard to get into the Oscars, you know? I can imagine. Especially as a local, I'm not in la I am not in New York at that time. And so, so I, I manifested is what I think I, you know, got my way in the door. And I also said before that I was gonna take home some of the red carpet and get a picture with Brad Pitt. And both of those things happened, which is just crazy. I think if you think it and you visualize it, things do come Melissa: and you're determined. Yeah, I was determined. Yeah. And you're also you're [00:06:00] so personable and friendly too, that people want to be nice to you in return. Erica DeLong: Well, they may not. Like I ended up in the board of directors luncheon somehow at the Oscars, and I don't know how, and my little TJ Max gown, by the way, But I don't know how, I just think that . Fake it till you make it. Sometimes I accidentally ended up in those places. So Melissa: you've, you've accidentally ended up in a lot of places. Yes. That are are pretty, pretty awesome though. Yeah. So talk to us about your longevity in local radio, because nowadays it seems that the quote, local radio is programmed based in like Detroit or Nashville or LA for syndicated shows or radio personalities have to move to bigger markets. I know that at one point you were in Detroit, you were in New York. Yeah. But your longest streak has been here and home at home because you're from Durham. Yes. You're a local girl. Yep. So to be able to stay here in Raleigh for so long, how have [00:07:00] you managed to do that by making money for them? . Erica DeLong: Let's just keep it real. Yeah. No. I, you know, . Yes. I moved to New York City, I went to Detroit. You move all around. Mm-hmm . For me personally, I knew that I wanted to come home because it was the balance that I wanted. Like you can work and, and do all these amazing things, you know, career wise, but for me, I needed the family, the kids, the husband, all of that to feel balanced. So it was important to come back. I miss my mama. Yeah. Your parents are here. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And so I came back. I felt slightly like a failure because I was in New York City and stuff, and so it was like you go from the number one market. To back to a medium now a large market. And so I felt like a failure, but really I, you know, fast forward to 15 years later, I'm like, this is perfect where I wanna be. But it is hard to stay in radio. You move around a lot typically, and I just somehow manage to, I don't know make money and make good partnerships and, and things like that, which has kept me a mainstay at G 1 [00:08:00] 0 5. Melissa: Yeah, because you know, I've, I've been a long time listener to G 1 0 5 and used to listen back in the day when you were with Bob and the show Graham. Yeah. When you, when you just started out. But it, it feels like everybody around you is gone. Oh. I'm the only one there. You're the only Yeah. You're, you're the og. Yes. So, to be able to stay in in one place and not move is quite remarkable. Erica DeLong: Yeah, I mean, and there's been opportunities offered to me as well, like in different markets like Nashville. 'cause I would've loved to gone to Nashville, but I also have to weigh my options. Like, am I gonna get paid, you know, a seven figure salary that makes it makes sense to move my family or something crazy, you know? Also, my mom's here like that. Spending time with people I love is more important than a dollar to me. Mm-hmm . And so, not that I was offered like that, I'm just saying, I think being here was the balance that I wanted, so I was kind of determined to stay here. Mm-hmm . And I'd already done New York, so I didn't feel like I needed to keep growing 'cause I'd already been there. Now I'm back at home. [00:09:00] Melissa: Yeah. You can see that the, the grass was green on the other side, but not necessarily what it really was right. For you? Erica DeLong: Yeah. Like to me, this is my happy place. Whereas in New York it was great. I was front row fashion shows like making . Tons of money to be in my twenties, but it was empty at the end of the day for me. Mm-hmm . Like, I would go home at the end of these big lavish events and I'm sitting and eating outback at takeout by myself. Mm-hmm . And that was just not what I wanted for myself. Melissa: Yeah. So now Erica DeLong: it's like, the career is amazing, but what matters to me, what drives me is my family and my friends. So the balance is better for me here. Melissa: So as, as a mother with a daughter. We both are. I personally find you inspiring to the younger generation of girls. You're cheerful and you're kind always, I've never seen you anything else, really. We've not. Erica DeLong: We've probably had a few sessions where we were like, I know they didn't. I'm . Melissa: Yeah, but you say it with a smile on your face, , [00:10:00] but you also have to have grit and fortitude to be successful in a male dominated business. So . What do you think has been your biggest challenge in your career, and what advice do you give to girls wanting to break into the radio or entertainment industry? Erica DeLong: I'm tough and some people may say that you're, can I say a cuss word on here? Melissa: Maybe Erica DeLong: he can bleak, he can Melissa: bleep it. Erica DeLong: You're the B word. You might be B word, or you know. Aggressive, but sometimes you gotta stand up for yourself. 'cause if you're not standing up for yourself, nobody else is. I mean, yes you have your husband and stuff outside of, but at work like you, you have to fight for yourself. And I will say, I gotta give credit to Bob Dumas from when I started. I. He's kind of the one that taught me how to be feisty in the beginning, like, you know, to get the pay that I wanted or to get things that I deserved because I watched him do it and he was like, you can do it too. And he also had two girls and so Yeah, exactly. He's got daughters. He probably used that. He took me under his wing a little bit to, [00:11:00] to push me in that direction and so I became feisty. And living in New York City right outta college was a, it just kind of threw you to the wolves to learn how to be feisty. Yeah, Melissa: I'm sure. Erica DeLong: So the biggest advice would be to stand up for yourself, believe in yourself, and know that you do have what it takes. I mean, women are remarkable at juggling many things at once. And the biggest challenge I would say is to . Somebody thinking that I can't open my own breaks or that I am a laugh track because I'm a female. And I was like, no, no, no. It's the Erica show. Yeah. Yeah. And, and I'm not trying to be like Bigheaded, but it's just like, you know, I'm not a laugh track. Be proud of that. You have created that. Like women, we are local radio, no matter what city you're in, and women are the ones that typically are listening. That's your audience. And so why not represent who your audience is? And so I always fought for that, like. I am what people are like, you know, the listeners we're the same. We're friends. Yeah. We're tuning in. We're, you know, so, so let me be that person. And plus it does help when you help bring in a lot of money. Like they, they [00:12:00] hear you more. Oh, I'm sure they do. Yeah. Yeah. , Melissa: they hear you more Erica DeLong: when they have no choice but to Melissa: listen. Yeah. Erica DeLong: But I have been a surrounded by some really great leaders that have been male that have helped me get to where I am. So it's not like, it was . Super hard. Like I had some great examples to help me fight to get to that space. Mm-hmm . Melissa: Well, talk to me a little bit about how you did start out with Bob. Mm-hmm . Dumas and he is more of the, the shock jock Yeah. Type of guy. For those of us listeners who were around back in the day with Bob and the show Graham, you guys would do some pretty outlandish things. Oh gosh. Now Erica DeLong: I'm like, please don't Google it. Okay. . My political career is down the drain now. . I was thinking about being a mayor. Not now. No, Melissa: that that is not in the cards for you. I'm just kidding. I wish you like Erica DeLong: a flawed person, . Yeah. It was very shock jock, but that's when it was very popular of several shows throughout the country and Bob was one of those Main voices that people knew around the nation [00:13:00] for being shock jock. Shocking radio. But you didn't wanna get out of your car 'cause you're listening to it. Exactly. And obviously we'd be late for work Melissa: in the morning. Oh yeah. But then we, you can't go to work in the morning without listening because everybody's gonna be talking about it. Yeah. So you've gotta be, you know, up to date with what, what Bob and Erica are doing. Erica DeLong: And so it really has evolved over the years. Like our world is not like that anymore in many areas of our life. Mm-hmm . You know, not just radio, it's all changed. So like the shock, shock thing is not really . , that's not the thing anymore. Yeah. 'cause you'll get fired immediately. So I was never, never the shock jock. I was just the one that was a part of the, the crew. And So you were the pawn . Yes. But now when I look back, I'm like, oh, I would never do that now as a PTA mama. Like, you know? Yeah, yeah. Things like that. I would never do that. Yeah. Melissa: That's, that's kind of where I'm getting at is, you know, the way that you have evolved and how you're able to show your personality on the radio, because you really only get. Small snippets of time. Too different. Erica DeLong: It's not like 20 minutes where it used to be. Yeah. We talk for 20 minutes and tell our whole life story. Mm-hmm . It's [00:14:00] definitely two minutes, three minutes, you know, little. And then you gotta include like whatever promotion you're doing, whatever song you're doing, whatever, artist promotion. So it's a lot to go in that little bit of time. Which is why we have podcasts and things like that to open up more avenues to be able to talk more. Yeah. Which I'm fine. I don't need to talk . I'm like, I don't need to talk as much as fine. Melissa: Well, I think that was helpful for you, . For your career to start out. Yeah. In the longer format that you were able to really show who you were, because we got to know you, right? We got to grow with you and your audience has been with you all this time, but we were able to really get to know you as a young college student. We walked with you as you were like dating, right? And meeting your husband and having kids and everything. And I think that was helpful that you were able to really talk for a longer amount of time. Erica DeLong: Well. That's the reason too, that I have been a mainstay here is because that was set up, you know, early for [00:15:00] me, and I evolved over the years, but it was like. People, I was a family member to people just like y'all are family. Mm-hmm . Listeners are family. And so it was kind of like, oh, she's, she's a part of the crew. And so I think I was able to get in in, instead of just showing up outta nowhere, you know, to the market. Melissa: So you are a recognizable person and you're nat naturally personable, but do you ever wish you could turn that off? Especially like, I know I go to the grocery store looking like. Old trash . Oh, me too. Wearing my pajamas. And I don't know that I would really love for everybody to recognize me at all times. So do you ever wish you could like, put on a mask and, and hide from people ? No. Erica DeLong: I know that sounds crazy, but No, just because like, I don't think radio and not to knock it, but I don't think it's special. It's just a job just like a teacher or firefighters or police officers, which we're so thankful for them and our nurses, but. We're everyday people. [00:16:00] And so at least now since kids, it's like I just roll up however people see my kids, Mitch Mack shoes, it doesn't matter. I'm like, yeah, we're just like y'all. You know? Yeah. It doesn't matter. And so, and sometimes I'll notice people will be . Awkwardly looking at me, and so I'll just throw a hay up and they're like, Hey, it's you. And I'm like, yeah. Hey, how you doing? You don't have to be weird. Yeah. Yeah. Melissa: I'm the same as you. I know. With, with my personality, I consider myself to be an introverted extrovert because I do like talking obviously. Right. I've got a podcast and I love being social, but then I need like. A whole day of no one talking to me. My husband's Erica DeLong: like that. He recharges by the silence, you know? Okay. That exactly. That's a good way of putting it. Yeah. So Melissa: do you, what do you do to recharge? Erica DeLong: I like to be quiet too. Mm-hmm. Which is weird. People would think something's wrong with me, but I'm like, no, I, I like to be quiet. My husband would disagree on that , but Melissa: I can go Erica DeLong: home. Maybe your Melissa: definition of quiet is different than Erica DeLong: it . Yeah. I can go home and just. What is it? Doom. Scroll and just be quiet, you know, and find or [00:17:00] go sit and have my nails done and not talk to anybody like at home. For instance, my husband, they consider him the mayor of the neighborhood. 'cause he knows everybody. He talks to everybody. When I get home, I don't really talk to everybody. I love our neighbors. They're amazing. But I don't need to go down the street to see the new paint job in Joe's living room. Like, I don't, I don't need that. I kind of keep to myself, 'cause the kids, it's usually busy. Mm-hmm . And our life is so busy as it is. I whip the makeup off, put on sweatpants and like. We're just quiet, chilling. Melissa: And you're just full-time mom mode at that point too. Yes. Usually Erica DeLong: doing an art project or laundry did that this morning. That was fun. Melissa: Yep. At least start a load before you Erica DeLong: head into the studio. Yeah. Melissa: Yeah. So what. Would be your ideal day or weekend with your family? You could do anything. What would you want to do? Erica DeLong: Going to explore something new. I love to go somewhere, whether it's a road trip or we're getting on a plane to go somewhere. Like I was just in Florida. I went down for the day, 10 hours in Florida, came back like, I know that sounds crazy to some people, but that's how [00:18:00] I roll. And so just going on some kind of adventure where we're learning something new as a family is my absolute favorite thing. Melissa: You just got back from a trip to the Philippines? Yeah. Can you please tell us? About that trip while you were there, who you went with? Erica DeLong: So outside of radio, like as I've evolved, you know, and grown up, like I'm on the board for Prison Alliance, which is faith-based prison reform. And so they go into prisons all over the world. And so I was asked to go on the Philippines trip and I was like, okay. And I don't typically leave my kids for a very long time. Mm-hmm . And so this was like a two week trip and then, so I cut it down to a week. I said I'll go for a week. Because I couldn't go for two weeks for my kids. Yeah, that's a long time. And so they were like, no problem. So we rearranged it so I could fly back, you know, early. And it was incredible. We went into 27 prisons. Wow. It was a busy trip. I was absolutely exhausted because you, you land and then you hit the ground running mm-hmm . And you go, and so. Melissa: The jet lag is, I mean, you cannot get worse than the Philippines. My, [00:19:00] my husband's family lives in the Philippines, so Okay. So Erica DeLong: it's 30 hours to get there. It Melissa: it's rough. Yeah. And the older we get, the rougher it is. Erica DeLong: I was bouie on this trip, someone very amazing, paid for me to go first class. Oh nice. And I was like, I was expecting to hang on the wing. You can put me wherever. I didn't care , but. I had a bed, I had the slippers. I was like, okay. With the little like helps fancy drinks, that helps with the jet lag. It definitely made a difference. And so now I'm like, all right, I'm going back, but I need to start a GoFundMe. Yes. I'm just kidding. Yeah, because like you can't go back like after, not on most flights. Yes. But yeah, I'm like, oh my gosh, that was night and day difference. That Melissa: would Erica DeLong: be Melissa: rough to Erica DeLong: next trip. Melissa: Go coach. Yeah. Erica DeLong: But it was incredible. And . It was, it is a faith-based organization and so I was not there to, 'cause when it comes to faith stuff, I'll talk all day in front of millions of people. It doesn't matter to me. Mm-hmm . When it comes to that, I'm more quiet. Don't ask me to pray in front of people. Like, don't do any of that. I don't know what happened. I was sitting there in this prison with like 400 men [00:20:00] that were there. This is like the big prison with murderers, rapists. Like, is this in Manila? This was, we stayed in Manila and then we would go to different places. Okay. And so, I don't know exactly where this jail was. Mm-hmm . We would have to take a, you know, sprinter van to get to our spots every day. Okay. There was no security. And I was like, gosh, you gotta have faith. 'cause we're in here with our heads vowed with like literally some of the worst prisoners in the Philippines. Something happened to me. I got up on that stage and I don't know what came out. It was just like, okay. Like I was, and I, and the tears were just falling down my face. Mm-hmm . I would not stop crying when I got off the stage. So for me it was a life changing trip 'cause I knew that transformative something that I had been what I do for a living. Like, well now probably be doing some different stuff along with radio, but there's some other things that will probably happen because of that trip. And it made me realize like, you know. I was supposed to be here. I was supposed to like, you know, I've been training all these years. Mm-hmm . It feels like to get to a different Level of life. So, Melissa: [00:21:00] well, that's one thing that's so lovable about you is the fact that you really do give back. Not just, you know, worldwide and, you know, far away in the Philippines, but locally too. You're, you really have your hands in a lot of local charities and, oh, my husband, you're trying to do something good. Erica DeLong: You need a car. You done gave your money at a charity. Yeah, . I was like, I know, but it'll be okay. One day I'll get a big house somewhere, you know, in the mansion, in in heaven or something. But . Yeah, we give a lot of money away and, and my husband's in finance and he's like, I ain't gonna say nothing to you, but yeah, , like, you need a car? Yes. . Melissa: Anyway. Yeah. Not just money, but a lot of time and a lot of energy and, and, and good spirits towards local stuff. I, I think Erica DeLong: it's good though, like when you give, it really is a fulfilling, it's not for recognition or anything. It's like you really, it, it fills your heart. Like I think that's part of the reason why I honestly am a happy person is because We're so blessed. Mm-hmm . And so when you give to others, you see how it blesses others. It is just like this riffing effect. It is. It comes full, [00:22:00] full circle, fulfillness, you know? Mm-hmm . And so it. I don't wanna leave the earth with a bunch of fancy cars. I don't care about that. I would rather make an impact in the world. And so that's the goal. Well, I mean, Melissa: you're still in the, the, the stage of cars that you're gonna have goldfish and Cheerios up under your seat. Anyway. My, my gosh, it doesn't matter so bad. Erica DeLong: I opened the back door to put my purse back there and I was like, there's like four yogurt things just on the floor. Half eaten. Yeah, just on my floor like that. A colon of Melissa: rats could live in a mom's car and yeah, just throw it away. Us we wouldn't even notice , so, yeah. Okay, so we're gonna head into what I like to call the lightning round of questions. Okay. The first few questions are gonna be hyperlocal questions about North Carolina. Okay? And everybody has an answer to these and there are right answers and wrong answers. Erica, oh, is it gonna be NC State Duke, or Carolina? That is my first question. Wolf Pack Tar Heels. Blue Devils. Erica DeLong: I'm a Duke girl, but don't come for me. I did take classes at NC State. [00:23:00] Did she just put an X by my question? Look, incorrect answer because I know you're a Wolf Pack. Uhhuh. . I did go to state, but I, you know, did gymnastics and a lot of leadership stuff at Duke when I was younger, and so I'm. I'm, I'm Duke. And you grew up in Durham. Like I said, so I'm Duke, but I will say I do like, the coaches at UNCI think they're phenomenal. Okay, so Belichick coming here is a big deal. Yeah. Melissa: You're, you're being very, very, even here trying not to, but to pick it would be Duke. Okay. Yes. You do have to pick one and that is the wrong answer. Erica. Erica DeLong: I know . Melissa: Okay. Pepsi or Cheerwine? Pepsi Erica DeLong: isn't Melissa: cheer Erica DeLong: wine. I thought cheer wine was Pepsi. Melissa: No. Well, they're both created in North Carolina. Erica DeLong: Okay. Melissa: I don't think they're created, are they both created in non I thought it was the same. I don't know either way, Pepsi. Okay. I don't think there's really a wrong answer to that. Eastern or Western Barbecue. I. Erica DeLong: Eastern. Melissa: Okay. Erica DeLong: But you know, I'll eat all of it. Yeah. . Whatever comes to my way, I'll eat it. Yeah. Melissa: If [00:24:00] it's, if it's put in front of you, you'll eat it. So, okay. So when you're in the car, do you choose to listen to radio, an audio book or podcast? What do you like to listen to? Erica DeLong: A little bit of everything. Sometimes it's honestly silence because mm-hmm . I feel like life is so crazy busy sometimes the, the silence, I won't even realize it's silent. Well pro probably. 'cause your brain is still going a mile. Brain is, yeah. A million miles a minute. I do listen to radio and I'll pop over. 'cause I, unlike maybe some people, I love our competitors too, like the people that are on the air at different competing stations. Mm-hmm . I really like them as humans and so I'll listen to them on occasion. Yeah. You guys are probably friends. You meet it. Yeah. I mean, events and stuff. Yeah. I have an event tomorrow night with one of our local like competitors in . They're wonderful. And I'll listen to radio. I also like self-help books, audio books. Mm-hmm . So whether it be faith-based or, you know, tricking your mind to eat a salad every day, you know, something like that, that hasn't worked yet, but you know, so I kind of flip around. It depends on the day. Melissa: You've gone to a lot of red carpets like we [00:25:00] talked about. Which one is your favorite to go to? The Oscars was pretty incredible. That was awesome. And I know you've talked in the past, you really like the CMAs too, right? The Erica DeLong: CMAs are fantastic because everybody's so down to earth and, and they're just like us. Mm-hmm . They just have a bigger house most of the time. Yeah. , you know, or a bigger bank account. They're just so down to earth and relatable and you, you can access them. Like you can go into Blake Shelton's Bar and there's Blake Shelton playing a song for the people that are in the bar, you know? Mm-hmm It's, it's really cool. Whereas in Hollywood you got an entourage of people and publicists and you can't reach 'em until you get through those four people. Mm-hmm . And so it's a little different. Melissa: So they're more approach country stars are more approachable in general. Oh, 1000%. Yeah. Favorite celebrity encounter. Erica DeLong: Gosh, there's been a bunch. I saw George Clooney at the airport one time and this in Detroit. You walked right up to him. . Yeah. And he was so cool. And the one thing was he, he was so cool. Okay. What I've learned over the years, other than Mariah Carey over the years, the bigger the star, [00:26:00] sometimes the more down to earth where they're not trying to improve themselves like he was so down to earth, walking through the Detroit airport, like no big deal. Same thing with Brad Pitt. Like very cool one down to Earth. Mm-hmm . But then you get Mariah Carey. Mariah Carey was like one of my most memorable because she made me hold frozen peas over her eyes. . So during an interview, 'cause when I was in New York, we did the satellite tours, which means it would be One studio and it would go to all of the radio stations. Mm-hmm . She was tired, and so she asked me to get her some peas for her eyes. I was like, yeah. I mean, I was young. I was like, of course I will. . I held up during the whole interview. Oh, wow. Melissa: So you sat there and talked to her? Yeah. While holding frozen peas. Well, we Erica DeLong: had another person asking questions. I was like, young, young then, so, oh, okay. You know. They didn't gimme that luxury, but I got to hold the peas. That is amazing. And she signed me a poster that I don't know what I did with. Yeah. Melissa: So yeah, you probably have a closet full of paraphernalia and, and collections. Yeah. Erica DeLong: It's a bunch of stuff. Yes. Yeah. In storage somewhere. Mm-hmm . Melissa: Including a piece of red carpet from the Oscars. Yeah. That Erica DeLong: is in my closet. I did, I was meaning to frame that. I never did. So yeah, Melissa: you've, you're gonna have to [00:27:00] put that on a wall somewhere. Okay. Dream interview. Erica DeLong: I'm in a stage now where I wanna talk to the people running our country and ask a lot of questions that we don't always see in the news. Mm-hmm . And hear about. I have a lot of questions about stuff and so, I never get political on radio or whatever. I'm very neutral. I see and respect all sides, but I do have a lot of questions that don't make sense to me, so I'm like, I need to ask. Some questions here. Melissa: Well, you did interview Obama. Yeah. Erica DeLong: Back in the day. Yeah. I've interview. We actually made international news for that. Yeah. I didn't ask him political questions. I asked him about his daughters and dating. Mm-hmm . And so that ended up making international news. But yes, I've interviewed I. Giuliani. I think Trump, I interviewed him briefly before he was Trump before he was like, he was like doing the You're fired guy. Oh yes. Yeah. What was that? Melissa: Apprentice Erica DeLong: money. Money, Melissa: money. Yeah. Erica DeLong: So, but you remember the theme song, but not the, Melissa: the, but I've interviewed a Erica DeLong: lot of folks and so, um, a lot of times they're BS 'cause they're only allowed to answer certain questions. I just wanna get down to the real stuff and, and ask some real questions.[00:28:00] And of course I wanna interview Jesus. But you know, that's later, maybe one day. Melissa: later, later timeframe. Hopefully one day. Yeah. Favorite local date Spot? Angas Spa. I know, I knew you were gonna say that. Erica DeLong: I love it. We got a little table there. You went there last night, didn't you? ? Yeah, we did. Or two nights ago. Yeah, we did. And I love it because the people that run it, they work so hard. Mm-hmm . To make it special. And to me, I always want to give back to people that are work. You know, they work hard. To make it a wonderful experience for people. So, Melissa: and it's like shopping local. It's eating local, so it's, it is supporting, you know, small businesses. And, and I know you Erica DeLong: had Scott Crawford on, you know? Of course, yes. His restaurants are phenomenal. So anytime you can go to one of those restaurants, love that too. Yeah. But if I had to pick one place, it would always be the barn because I grew up doing stuff there. Melissa: If you had to listen to one genre of music for the rest of your life, nothing else, what would it be? Erica DeLong: Gosh. Snoop Dogg. . Melissa: I knew . I knew you were gonna say nineties wrap. Erica DeLong: Yeah, nineties wrap. I also, [00:29:00] I like everything. Mm-hmm . But I'd probably go with a nineties wrap. Yeah. I mean, Melissa: you really cannot beat Snoop Dogg. So, yeah. Dr. Dre. Erica DeLong: Yeah. Eminem. Yeah. Melissa: All the OGs. I don't know. The nineties wrap. Yeah. Erica DeLong: Mm-hmm . I am the mom pulling up, bumping in the carpool. I have to turn it down. I bet. You're like, let not embarrass my children. So, no, that's when you roll Melissa: the windows Erica DeLong: down and turn Melissa: it up. Yeah. Erica DeLong: Yeah. Sipping on Jen Melissa: and Erica DeLong: Joe . Melissa: Oh my gosh. Lean back. So, yeah. Okay, so tell us where people can follow you and when they should tune into G 1 0 5 to listen to you. Erica DeLong: On social at Erica DeLong, 'cause I'm in different, like on seven different stations now and so like, it depends on what city you're in. You might hear me in Asheville. Oh, neat. Okay. So, and I do country in other markets and then here. Oh nice. I didn't know that. Yeah, so, which is good 'cause you know, there's so much crossover now anyway. Yeah, we play country on G 1 0 5. Or it's considered country. So, and then G 1 0 5, I'm on from three to seven weekdays and yeah, I'm either at Prison Alliance or March of Dimes [00:30:00] or, you know, different organizations or coaching basketball. It is fun to follow you. You can see me wherever I'm somewhere. Yeah. You, Melissa: you are a fun one to follow because you are, you show that you're all over the place. I do not know how you do it. I really don't. I mean, it's, well, Erica DeLong: we go in and out, we're quick. Like, you know, I, I show up places and I'm like, Hey, okay, gotta go. Yes, exactly. You gotta go make a lunch. So, yeah. Melissa: Well thank you for coming today. No, thank you. I always love seeing you. Erica DeLong: Yeah, I know. Well eventually we're gonna do our lunch for sure. Yes, we will. [00:31:00]