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10 Questions with ... Manny Cowzinski
May 7, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I think it's important to play the core artists that helped define Alternative music. I also think that it's important to feature new music. We do that. It's important to have music and content that the listeners will like. I also think it's important to have fun. Jack Oliver was my boss at KKRD for many years. He would always end every memo and email with "have fun." It's important to do that
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started my radio career in western Kansas when I was in high school. I started my Wichita radio career in March 1990 at KKRD. The station was a heritage CHR station for many years at 107.3 on the dial. I spent about 13 years at KKRD. I did afternoon and was APD/MD there. I also worked at KMXV in Kansas City. I programmed stations in Joplin, MO and Lawrence, KS. I have been back in the Wichita market for a few years now. I have been back here at iHeartMedia/Wichita for almost 6 years. It's come full circle. I am back on the frequency (107.3) that I started at in Wichita. I love being able to be part of a station that plays my favorite kind of music.
1. How did you first become interested in radio?
I was hooked at an early age. I had a record player, headphones and vinyl. I would spend hours in my room pretending to be on the air. When I was in grade school, I would beg my dad to take me to the local radio station in Leadville, Colorado to meet the air talent and to watch them. That continued when we moved to Kansas. I would go to a local radio station in Garden City and bugged a couple of jocks there on a regular basis. I was in the high school broadcasting class. I did a couple shifts and put together an air check and took it to that same station I used to frequent when I was younger. I got a job there one month after my 17th birthday. I went to school from 7am-3pm and then worked 4pm-12am my junior and senior year. I have been doing it ever since.
2. Tell us about your role at iHeartMedia/Wichita.
I have been PD for KTHR (ALT 1073) for about a year and a half. I was also Promotions Director for the 4 stations in our building for 5 years. We recently hired a promotions person to take over that role.
3. How would you describe your programming style?
I think it's important to play the core artists that helped define Alternative music. I also think that it's important to feature new music. We do that. It's important to have music and content that the listeners will like. I also think it's important to have fun. Jack Oliver was my boss at KKRD for many years. He would always end every memo and email with "have fun." It's important to do that.
4. Give us the 411 on the station and how the ALT 107.3 brand has been growing since flipping to Alternative almost five years ago.
The addition of The Woody Show in the morning has helped with the process. They are great to work with. The Alternative format has so many heavy hitters that we are able to play on the air. It's awesome being part of a company that can have huge concerts and events that appeal to our listeners. ALTerEgo and the iHeartRADIO Music Festival are signature events that are perfect for us. We love being part of that. We also have been able to get out in the Wichita area at events. We try and get out as much as possible. We have the ALTimate Summer coming up. We also have our ALT 1073 5th B-Day Bash at the end of the summer featuring Fuel, Spin Doctors and Eve 6.
5. How has the station changed in the past year?
We've been able to get out and about in the community. It's important to focus on local events. We're also getting more and more shows in the Wichita area, as well as shows in Kansas City, OKC and Tulsa that are perfect for us. This is great for on-air contesting and promotions.
6. What makes ALT 107.3 unique?
We're the only Alternative station in the Wichita area. We play the staples from the 90's. We also mix it in with new Alternative music. We start the day having fun with The Woody Show and keep it going with local talent in the middays and afternoons. We are able to talk about things around Wichita and we actually are out at the events we're talking about.
7. What is your favorite part of your job?
Every day is different. There are folks that work their butts off at the aircraft plants here in Wichita. They make great money, but they have to do the exact same thing every single day. I think that's amazing what they do, I just couldn't do that. I like being able to have new adventures and challenges during my work week.
8. You're originally from Colorado. What was your biggest adjustment relocating to Kansas?
It was a big adjustment moving from a town that's nearly two miles in elevation (Leadville, CO) to the flatlands of Kansas. We moved when I was young, so I really didn't have a say in things. My dad was transferred to Kansas with his job. It all worked out. I was able to make great friends here in Kansas and I am happy to call this place home. My parents are now retired and are back in Colorado. My brother is also back in Colorado. I'm the only flatlander left in the family. I try to make it back as much as possible to see family and friends.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Unsweet Iced Tea.
10. What would surprise people most about you?
I am a geek when it comes to abandoned barns and buildings. I will travel dirt roads across Kansas (even into Oklahoma and Missouri) when I have free time. I will look for interesting things to take pictures of along the way. It drives my wife and kids crazy, but they're slowly getting used to it. It's pretty common for me to stop and take pics along the highway when we're on trips. I want to eventually see about making a calendar or book with some of my pics. The Kansas Department of Tourism asked for permission to use a couple of my pictures for some of their publications. That was cool.
Bonus Questions
You're a big sports fan. Rank your favorite teams in order of passion:
I'll rate them by my favorite team and the sport. I love me some football. I am a die-hard Denver Broncos fan. I bleed orange and blue. I even have a Broncos room in our house. I have been able to get John Elway's autograph a couple times. He actually signed one of my jerseys before a game against the Chargers at the old Mile High Stadium back in the 90's. I took it right off and hid it in my car. They lost that game. That was a bummer making that long drive from Denver to Wichita after that game. That's happened a few times.
Hockey is my 2nd favorite sport. I actually play in a rec league. I have for years. I suck, but its fun playing! The Colorado Avalanche is my favorite hockey team. They're playing well in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I hope that they can keep it up.
Baseball is third on my list. I have liked the Chicago Cubs since the year they choked in 1984. I have liked the Kansas City Royals in the American League since the George Brett days.
Tell us about your job at Wichita Thunder hockey home games at INTRUST Bank Arena.
I actually "hung up my skates." Or should I say headphones a couple seasons ago. I did music at the games and PA on a few occasions. I did that for about 20 years. I just wanted to be able to spend more time with my family. I was never home between work at the radio station and doing the hockey games. I try to go as a fan when I can. But I am still too busy.
What are weekends like for you?
Errands, spending time with the family....and of course looking for things abandoned buildings and old barns.
What are your hobbies?
Taking walks with my wife, taking day trips to KC, OKC and Tulsa and playing hockey, when I get the chance. Oh, and looking for abandoned buildings and old barns. LOL!
First record ever purchased?
I believe "Thriller" is the first one I purchased.
First concert?
I can't remember. Isn't that sad?
Favorite band of all-time?
+LIVE+
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