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10 Questions with ... Abby Krizner
March 18, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Finished my Masters in Multimedia Technology and started at WXDX in 2007 as a part-time weekend DJ. Moved to nights 6-10p within a few months and became the producer for the afternoon sports show, "The Mark Madden Show," as well as the Music Director for The X. I started tracking for outside markets last year (including WEBN Cincy, and WDTW Detroit) and am now hosting the morning show in my hometown!
1. How did you become interested in radio?
My love of music drove me to radio. I've been playing in bands since I was 15 years old and playing music completely feeds my soul. When I was figuring out a career path in college, I wanted to find something that would satisfy that passion for music and performance so I took the opportunity to do a shift on my college station when it presented itself. I still took a misstep and didn't pursue right away because my advisors encouraged me against going into radio and I unfortunately listened. When I came to my senses, I ended up going back to get my masters to focus on Sound Design and got an internship with WDVE here in Pittsburgh.
2. Why do you describe yourself as a Rock & Roll Multi-Tasker?
Well I'm always juggling more than one thing and it usually involves me being in front of a microphone whether I'm working on air or playing in the band. It's a cool world in which to have entirely too much to do!
3. Tell us about your weekly Promowest Live TV show?
We run in a couple of markets, here in Pittsburgh, Columbus, Ohio and Youngstown, Ohio--all on the NBC affiliate in their respective towns right after Saturday Night Live. We feature live music both inside and out of the genres I'm used to and throw in some interviews here and there. Favorite episode, OBVIOUSLY, is the one where I got to interview Mike Ness of Social Distortion. Fork please, I'm done.
4. What led to your move to mornings on The X?
Good question! Ha! Honestly, I probably shouldn't speak for the bosses, but I think my passion for music is transparent and it was a good fit for the direction they wanted to take.
5. Tell us about the Abby In The Morning Show?
Well it's a one-woman operation. I produce, book, and host the show so that keeps it very open ended as far as what strikes me on a day to day basis and what we'll cover. I like to keep an eye on the local stories since Pittsburgh is my hometown, plus we are the Penguins flagship station so there's an awesome excuse to talk hockey with some of the greats.
6. What makes your show unique?
It's still a newborn to me so while it's finding its stride, I lean on what I love and that's finding new bands for people to check out. I feature new songs every day on the show and try to keep people guessing on the usual playlist.
7. What part of your job do you love the most?
I get so engrossed in what I'm doing from one minute to the next, honestly, the part I get most excited about is when I step away and really get to appreciate it. It's also a good chance to refocus, get creative, and come up with new things to try. Also, being by myself in the studio means I can get away with a little bit of shameless dancing and head banging with no evidence....That's fun too.
8. What do you like best about living in Pittsburgh?
I think since the dawn of time, the stock answer has been "the people," but that's because it's true. Young or old, the blue collar mentality, the ownership of the city, the pride in where you live, it's evident in every person. Plus, we have a lot of medical, scientific, and environmental initiatives which are moving Pittsburgh forward in a way that keeps (and brings) a lot of energetic young people here.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________?
My husband's support...and coffee.
10. What would surprise people most about you?
I cannot stop swearing. I speak slowly on-air to avoid this, but yeah, if I weren't typing this right now, I'd probably be swearing.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Playing with my band and going on long distance bike rides with my husband.
Last non-industry job?
I was a drug counselor at a methadone clinic for a couple years. Psychology is still a huge field of interest for me, but I was a bit out of my league and inexperienced at the time when I actually worked in it.
First record ever purchased?
My parents had an awesome music collection, so I got away without having to buy much of anything until I was a pre-teen. I bought Live Throwing Copper, which coincidently, I heard for the first time on 105.9 The X.
First concert?
Elton John--this would have had to have been in the early-to-mid-90s...I'm proud of it now but at the time, it didn't make me a very cool (or relatable) kid.
Favorite band of all-time?
Queens Of The Stone Age. I heard them when I was about 17 and it flipped a switch in my brain.
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