In a city notorious for its traffic, the regulars at rush hour are especially thankful for a solid afternoon disc jockey. Tommy McFly, 23, has earned a spot keeping thousands of Washingtonians company in the car with his evening show on Mix 107.3 FM. And to think he nearly became a lawyer.
How did you become a DJ?
Well, I wanted to be a lawyer. But I started radio at 15 because a family friend who worked for the station said he’d get me a job. So I called every day for three months, and then I stalked the program director until I got a job. It was Froggy 101 in Scranton, Pa., and I was literally Mr. Froggy. But then they needed someone to do a midnight show on Sunday, and someone said, “Let the kid do it.”
And it stuck?
I still wanted to be a lawyer, but then I got the Saturday night show — it was in seventh place at the time and they had nothing to lose. I had not a clue what I was doing, but then in a year and a half it went from seventh to number one, and that’s when I realized I wanted to do this.
Many people in D.C. complain that we don’t have great radio. What are we missing?
Honestly, I don’t think it’s as creative as it could be — I’m very fortunate because the Mix is the personality station in town, and people who are personalities on the radio get out in the community, too. A lot of radio has just become jukeboxes, but that’s not what it should be. It should be about community and trend setting.
What’s the hidden art of a DJ?
I think it’s grabbing the little pieces of life that make good content. It’s a lot of music and entertainment, but it’s Washington, too — crazy things happen here that don’t happen elsewhere, and that people can relate to.
Best new song or album you’ve been listening to?
I’m not ashamed to say I love Pink’s “Funhouse” album.
