1) Tell us a little about you and what you do!

I wake up early but once I’m up, I get to hang out with Long Island! I look for relatable stories that might make a listener smile, or think, or want to experience something and help that monotonous commute seem a little bit easier every morning. 

2) What’s your favorite thing about being on The Shark? 

Almost every song I play on this station was on a mix tape I made as a teenager. The newer stuff WOULD have been on those tapes if it came out in the 90s. I love that I get to share the same music and type of music that got me through so many Long Island storms, figuratively and literally with others who are simply looking for shelter from the storm. 

3) What’s the #1 thing you’ve learned working with Jeff and Stevie?

Patience. Jeffrey is an incredible psychic medium and at times it could be annoying. You want to open the floor to as many people as possible but you tend to get some repeat callers no matter how random the phone selection may be. Jeff and Stevie taught me that those people may just simply need the help more, and if their getting through, it may be the universe recognizing who is in the most need.

4) What’s your favorite Nickleback song? Don’t even try to dodge this one!

Whichever one is the shortest. This is a trick question. However, I answered.

5) Tell us about Hope Rocks and how we can help!

Hope Rocks is an eight hour telethon where we spread one simple message, ‘With Music, You’re Never Alone.’ We’ll be playing some inspirational songs that helped each of us get through some dark times. We will have celebrity guests choosing their favorite songs for getting by and break the stigma about having Mental health conversations. You can listen at 943theshark on 11/13 from 11am-7pm and help spread the word by sharing all of our social media interviews and donation links. We’ll have links set up on all of our pages where you can donate and help spread the message. 

6) What’s a personal goal for yourself that you want to accomplish this year?

I have been so lucky to work with some of the most talented musicians of my formative musical years on two mental health videos. One was for a song I co-wrote the lyrics to called “Choose Song” and the other is a cover of Stevie Wonders, “I Just Called,” which was my Grandmothers song to me. My dreams is to assemble an All Star concert here on Long Island with these artists. These are members of Candlebox, Sponge, Wheatus, Josh Devine, the legendary DMC, and Black Suit Youth along with musicians who have been so generous to our cause over the years like Scott Stapp, Snake Sabo, Greg Unchurch, The Nixon’s and so many more. My idea is to host it on Long Island but stream it to the world so that we’re all together for one day, singing one message, one song. 

7) What’s a song that brings you joy and why?

Far Behind by Candle Box. It was the first song that I felt I could claim on my own. Yeah the lyrics are dark and it could be seen as depressing but the song reminds me of the greatest memories of my life. Sitting on a street corner on a summer night with my friends and hearing it come on for the first time from a boom box that hung off the corner of my friends Alisons scooter. Those free times, when being on that corner was the most important thing in the world. Today it reminds me of my closest friends who I lost in 02. He and I shared a love for that song. Every time I hear it, it gives me a chance to think of my best memories with him.

8) What’s your funniest moment working in Radio?

I flew to LA to cover a Wheatus concert. I had just separated from my ex wife. I wasn’t in the best head space for a variety of reasons. My flight was also at 6am, so I left my house at 4am to get to JFK. I got to LA at noon, hungry, grumpy, and unsure of where I was going in life. I just knew I was going to see my friend Wheatus. Over the years, I developed a real solid friendship with them and was really looking forward to hanging out and forgetting Long Island for a bit. I ubered to the arena and saw the tour bus and my carry on hanging off my shoulder and not in my best shape. I knocked on the door and when it opened, there was Matthew the bass player, 3000 miles from home with no idea that I was coming because the singer Brendan forgot to inform him. He looked at me, standing there haggard and jet lagged and said, “Oh hi…  I’m sorry but we don’t have any food.” Not only did my friend not recognize me, he thought I was homeless. Now we laugh about it every time it is brought up. 

9) For those struggling with depression, what’s a piece of advice you have?

That there is a song out there for you. There are lyrics that were written by someone who DOES know what you’ve been through. You are not struggling by yourself. Find the right song and you’ll feel the support. There is a hashtag called #choosesong where a wide variety of people, from my listeners to celebrities, to random strangers who could be you and I, suggest their song and that song impacts you.  

10) Where can we find out more about you? 

If this was the 80s, my mom would say the back of a milk carton because she’s giving me up. I’m on Instagram as @Orlando0616 and Twitter @TattooandTalk. My email is Orlando@943theshark.com Also, my mother is a huge influence on me now. Despite tongue in cheeks threats of giving me up for four decades, she was the first  to suggest radio for me and is so prominent in my spiritual and emotional growth today.