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10 Questions with ... Christian "Chris" Blood
June 9, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I began my radio journey back in 1988 at a rare high school station. Following five to six years there, I worked around Dallas, cutting my teeth with heavyweights only to realize that this was not necessarily a spot for guys in their early 20s. From North Texas, I bolted for California where I absorbed all parts of the business throughout the late '90s. Alice 1027 - Fresno, CA was my last gig, which included forcing a format change at our cross-town rival.
I'm a phone jock who targets the female demo like few others can, but can also flip a switch and talk football all day .... and even anchor news.
Finally, my name has never, ever hurt a thing!
1) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I've been working with ATM Las Vegas in Europe, developing a worldwide aquarium line with help from the reality TV show "Tanked" on Animal Planet / Discovery networks.
2) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.
I'm highly encouraged by radio's embracing of social media ... just what the doctor ordered following the storm of acquisitions, layoffs and complete instability at the top.
3) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?
Be willing to do anything - I mean anything, within reason - and make people like you. When starting off, remember that, regardless of your experience, you don't know squat.
4) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I'm interested in working the phones with mostly adults, but I also want to delve into Sports Talk. A station that offers both could get me thinking pretty seriously regardless of location.
5) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?
There hasn't been anything really unbelievable, but by far the most common question I get is whether or not my name is real. Yes it is. I think every employer has asked this.
6) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
Simple: Those who can, will. Those who can't will sit around and complain while blaming all other factors. It's just evolution ... no big deal.
7) What do you miss most about music/radio? The least?
I miss the interaction with listeners and the general public the most, by far. I'm not a long-term voicetracker by any stretch. What I miss the least is production, period.
8) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
Well, I became a father along the way and have the rare distinction of having built something completely different pertaining to aquatics, of all things, that I would have never taken on otherwise.
9) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?
Having worked in Europe alongside a rather successful cable-television show has broadened me in ways that I could have never imagined, even if it hasn't all been enjoyable. I'm learning Spanish for goodness sakes!
10) Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
I read a great bumper sticker about 20 years ago while still living in D-FW. It read, "If you ever want to make God chuckle, just tell him about your plans!"
Bonus Questions
Your favorite new diversion is...
Writing about the Dallas Cowboys at the football blog The Landry Hat has become my "new" communication with an audience. The only thing I might know better than radio is America's Team, without question.
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