You can catch Maxwell on the world famous Z100 in New York, weeknights from 6-10pm and on iHeartRadio’s heritage Top 40 radio station, WNCI 97.9 in Columbus, OH. He is also heard on over 180 radio stations across the globe on the syndicated “Most Requested Live, with Romeo” show as the premiere guest interviewer. Conducting interviews with stars like Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, and more, he has proven to be one of the most sought after in the industry. A true friend of the stars. Teaming up with Nick Cannon on the “TeenNick Top 10 Countdown”, Maxwell has acted as co-host for the television show and also entertains on Nick Radio, Nickelodeon’s go-to for “All The Hits & All The Slime!”
In this feature, Maxwell details his ascent in the radio industry, from humble beginnings in San Luis Obispo to becoming a prominent voice on Z100, highlighting milestones like working with influential personalities and memorable interviews with music icons. Emphasizing authenticity in broadcasting, he shares insights from hosting major events, curating hit playlists, and navigating challenges, while also offering a glimpse into his off-air life and the importance of staying genuine for budding radio professionals.
LEG: We currently hear your voice across 180 radio stations nationwide, including the world famous Z100. How and when did you get started in radio? Were there people in the industry that you looked up to along the way for inspiration or guidance?
I’ll give you the quick version of the journey…I got started in San Luis Obispo, CA when I was finishing my last year of college. I was hosting late nights on the Top 40 station in the market. It was funny because the show was a “slow jam” show where I was taking dedications and giving love advice…I was like 22 and had no clue about love, lol! From there I moved to another station in San Luis Obispo (KSLY – Sly 96) to host mornings. Did that for about 2 years before going to host the morning show at B-97 in New Orleans, then off to KSMB in Lafayette, LA. After a few years in the south, I made my way to the iconic WNCI 97.9 in Columbus, Ohio where I really began to sharpen my programming skills while being on air and adding Music Director & Assistant Program Director duties. Things got scary in ’08 when the company consolidated tons of positions & eliminated my role at WNCI in favor of out of market voicetracking…but I found an amazing opportunity at WIOQ “Q102” in Philadelphia. It was then when I gained major media market experience & truly set my eyes on Z100.
There have been so many people in the industry who I looked to for guidance and inspiration. From a jocks perspective…I’ve always thought that Romeo was the best in the biz, so when I got to learn from him in Philly, it was like a dream come true. Not only is he a dope jock, but his programming skills are insane! Other on air personalities I admired were JoJo Wright out of LA, Big Boy & the Baka Boys. Before streaming was a thing, I used to get so hyped when my family would take trips from San Diego to LA to visit family because I could listen to them. There have been so many awesome Programmers who I have been blessed to work with in my career…everyone from Michael McCoy in Columbus, Mike Kaplan (who gave me my shot in New Orleans), Sharon Dastur instilled a confidence in me to one day be in the position I’m currently in now, when she first hired me to do overnights at Z100 & Mark Medina who’s currently allowing me to stretch my creative legs in the industry.
LEG: You’ve conducted interviews with stars such as Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, and Harry Styles to name a few. Can you share some memorable interviews from your career? What have been some of the most insightful or surprising revelations you've extracted from the stars you've interviewed?
There are so many fun moments. A few are; playing “Dance Dance Revolution” at WNCI with an unknown artist (at the time) named Katy Perry…she kicked my ass & still to this day, will not let me forget it EVERY time we see each other. At an exclusive – no phones allowed – show with Harry Styles, he stage dove into the crowd…that was insane! I had one of the most heartfelt conversations with Gaga on the release day of her album Joanne after she was mentally exhausted and needed like 40 minutes to sit in the green room and decompress from an overwhelming day, she made her way into the studio…we shut the cameras & mics off & just hugged for like 3 minutes and were just there for each other. What I’ve taken away from so many fun interviews with the biggest stars on the planet…everyone is human & just want to be treated as such. It’s my job to make them feel comfortable enough to share their amazing stories about their amazing music.
LEG: How do you prepare for interviews with such high-profile artists, and what do you believe sets your interview style apart from others in the industry?
I prep for my interviews by getting to know who the artist is as a person. I want to know an artist’s “why”. Fans want to know their “why”…anyone can google search stats and everyone asks “who’s your dream collab?” Those are fun questions at times, but have been asked a billion times…I want to know “WHY” your dream collab is your dream collab…and I also think the key to a successful interview is listening.
LEG: As a co-host on "TeenNick Top 10 Countdown" and a personality on Nick Radio, you've ventured into television and radio beyond traditional interviews. How do you adapt your approach when hosting these shows, and what aspects of hosting do you find most enjoyable?
That chapter of my journey was SO MUCH FUN! It was challenging to learn how to connect with a TV audience…I learned things like “blocking” and how to be a more animated version of myself…especially since it was for Nickelodeon! When hosting those shows, I knew I could be a little more goofy and truly tap into the big kid energy I have. Plus…getting slimed was literally the coolest thing that has ever happened to me in my lifetime!
LEG: As a pop-culture pro in the industry, how do you stay informed on social trends in such a fast-paced and ever evolving world?
This one is simple…you just have to do it! You have to try the apps…swipe on them…participate in the trends, or at least familiarize yourself with them so you don’t get lost in the dust. It’s just a matter of trying all the things…you don’t have to like them all…but you do have to try them all.
LEG: You’ve hosted events such as the iHeartRadio Music Festival, the Z100 Jingle Ball, The Kids Choice Awards and more! What is a day in the life like at these popular events? Is there an event that you look forward to every year?
Oh boy…show days are crazy! Let’s chat Jingle Ball…it’s always like at least 2-3 days of artist prep to get some notes on who’s going to be there & who I might bump into or be interviewing. Day of…probably an 8a wake up to eat what might be my only real meal of the day…we already have the fit picked out cuz I gotta look fresh. Head to our pre-show “All Access Lounge” where there are a few stage hits between artists, checking out the different activations at the event & I love getting to meet the listeners who turn up and listen to my show throughout their day! Then interviews begin with the artists at our broadcast booth – our show will go live from 2-6pm from the venue & after that wraps, it’s immediately over to Madison Square Garden for more interviews backstage at the show. Sometimes I’ll get pulled to guide a tour of VIP winners…I’ll try to sneak a peek at the monitors backstage to see what’s going on at the show, because I don’t really get to see too much of it. There will be some running around capturing backstage content…and like that, it’s all over and I’ll usually find a buddy to tag along to a pub or bar for a shot of tequila before MAYBE going to an afterparty. Exhausting right?!?! hahahaha
LEG: We are big fans of the #MaxwellApproved playlist. Tell us, what do you think makes a song a hit? What are a few songs that are Maxwell Approved right now?
I love this part of my job…new music discovery is so dope! It’s an awesome feeling hearing a song early and watching it shoot up the chart! A few things that I think make a song a hit are, a catchy hook, beat, or melody (that’s kinda obvious) & truth or vulnerability in the lyrics and storytelling. Even if it’s a pure pop song like Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night”…it’s a story from a genuine fun place. That’s honesty. Or even Selena Gomez’s “Single Soon”…it’s the honest space she’s in at the moment & people connect to honesty, no matter how deep or surface level the lyrics. Other songs that have gotten my “Maxwell Approved” stamp…Doechii “What it Is”…Billie Eilish “What Was I Made For” and of course Lany “XXL” Oh, and watch this Tate McCrae “Greedy” record continue to gain momentum
LEG: During the span of your career so far, have there been any obstacles that you've had to overcome? If so, how did you handle them?
The year I was let go. It was for no other reason than the company & economy was changing and my position was eliminated. That was tough because it wasn’t performance based. But that’s when I truly got my first taste of TV. While I was searching for my next radio gig…I was in Columbus, OH as a TV entertainment reporter for the local news station. I still stayed in the public eye by going to concerts and creating video content to bring to the market. I really have my best friend Tim Flaherty and his company “Posthouse Creative” for seeing that there was a void in the market for that type of content.
LEG: Here at Lakeside, we believe in “finding your lake”. In a career where you use a substantial amount of your social battery daily, how do you like to unwind after a long work week?
OMG!! I LOVE SLEEP!! I try to make sure I get at least 7 hours…9 if possible. I have the luxury of having an on-air schedule that kinda fits with that. Hahaha after work I usually hit the gym for a little (if I have the energy) and it helps me really wind down and makes it easier for me to sleep later hahahaha. I’m a pop culture TV junkie, so I’m probably just zoning out flipping through the channels to find something that doesn’t require me to think. I’ll hop on the phone for a bit with my family and girlfriend…and during football season, Sundays are for football…no questions asked!!!
LEG: What advice would you give to someone who has interest in starting a career in radio today?
I think the biggest piece of advice is to make sure that you absolutely love it. This is not an industry where you can fake it…listeners and viewers see right through the BS. If you’re not authentic or you’re trying to be a character…you better be a REALLY good actor. In a time where content is everywhere and everyone is doing something, whether it’s on social media or whatever…the people who truly connect & have any future or longevity are those who are genuine. I haven’t made it 20+ years in the industry by trying to be something I’m not. I’m just trying to be the best ME I can be.
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