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10 Questions with ... Heather Collins
April 17, 2023
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started in radio by accident. Vegas had an engineer named Juan who I met at a remote when I was 16. He told me when you turn 18, I'll invite you to a Mix 94.1 Underground Lounge. Fast forward to 20 years old, I took Juan up on that deal and went and checked out Sara Bareilles. I asked if I could bring my camera to take photos and he agreed. I interned at Mix as a photographer for about eight months and then was asked by Brandon Bell if I wanted to try to be on air. I bombed so badly but he believed in me and gave me a chance. I started off on weekends at Mix, then nights, middays for nine years and recently was just offered afternoons almost two years ago. Which leads us to today! I'm still in afternoons, assistant brand manager for Mix 94.1 and also in middays In Portland and nights in Milwaukee. And if I wasn't busy enough, I also have a social media company.
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
The best thing that ever happened to me! I grew up on Mix 94.1 in Las Vegas, so being able to grow and learn everything in radio from my dream station was amazing! I started as a photographer intern and worked my way into on air, production, music director, promotions and so on and so on.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
So that's the funny part, it kind of just happened. I never ever thought radio would be my career. When I was in school, I really wanted to do audio engineering for live shows. Then when radio fell on my plate and I was taught how really cool this industry is, I kind of followed the path and it's been rewarding and fulfilling.
3. You get to be on the radio doing afternoons in your hometown (Las Vegas, at that) – what's that part of your career like for you?
Sorry to repeat myself but…amazing, fulfilling and over all the coolest thing ever! I remember listening to Jason Rooney do afternoons growing up in Vegas, so now that slot is mine…it's so freaking cool!!!!
4. Who would be a dream guest to have come to the studio and plug in across from you?
Oh, that's a really interesting question. I've had so many interviews and talked with so many interesting people in this industry but if I could have anyone be my co-host for the day it would be K.Flay. Watching her interviews and listening to her perspective on the world and people is so fascinating. If I could pick her brain and have a fun radio show for 5 hours, it would be dope to have her.
5. You could probably be out and about every night of the week. How picky and choosy are you when it comes to attending all sorts of related events?
Hahaha wait, so you're telling me I shouldn't be going out every night? No, but on a serious note I honestly try to go to everything I get invited to because it's all about networking. Lately though I have been saying no to a lot of dinner invites. I've become kind of a homebody. If I get invited to a show or entertainment though, oh I'm going!!!!!
6. What's your all-time favorite backstage memory?
So, Matchbox 20 is my favorite! You can take one look at my social media and know I'm obsessed! I had the opportunity to follow them for around three days to record some social media content. I saw rehearsal, a show, music video shoot, and more. I didn't think I would love my favorite band anymore. To see that side of the process and hear some really bad ass stories. It was a dream. I legit peaked.
7. You also cover middays on sister 105.1 The Buzz/Portland & nights on 99.1 The Mix/ Milwaukee what's that part of your life like?
It's kind of crazy! My day-to-day radio life is to wake up at 8:00 a.m., record Portland and then go into work an hour early and record Milwaukee. Luckily most of my content can be used across all three stations but I'm constantly trying to look up weather, news or events going on in all three cities. It's been a fun challenge.
8. If someone was visiting Vegas for the first time, what are some cool/fun places that only 'locals' generally know about?
I get this question once a week. Depends on what you are into. I'll say my favorite things to do in Vegas are see Beatles LOVE, have dinner at the secret speakeasy Beauty and Essex, check out the barbershop inside The Cosmopolitan. It's a dope ass venue where a lot of great musicians play. Bruno Mars, MGK and Gavin DeGraw have all jumped on stage there. Off the strip, go take the boat tour down the Colorado River, or we have a ton of great local food spots like La Neta, Flower Child and so on.
9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
Mix 94.1 and only Mix 94.1!!!! You get why I'm living my dream every day?
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
Brandon Bell, Charese Fruge, JLove, Dustin Carlson, Ross Mahoney, Shawn Tempesta, John Moug, JB King, Megan Holiday, Mercedes, JC Fernadez and you will be surprised by this, but a lot of awesome record reps Mo, Michele Landry, Tim Dalbec, Nicole Ferreti, Aaron Michelson. All of these people have believed in me, given me opportunities, advice or helped me improve my career!
Bonus Questions
With the venue of choice at your disposal and an unlimited budget, which 6 acts would you pull together to throw a massive listener concert?
If this was the Heather Fest. We would do it simple. A park in Vegas, I loved Bite of Las Vegas growing up so I'd keep it simple at a park.
Matchbox 20 would be the headliner, then K.Flay, Blackbear, Sheryl Crow, Jason Mraz, and Jewel.
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