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10 Questions with ... Jeff Kingman & Jeremy West
November 3, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Left to Right: Jeremy West, Jeff KingmanJeff Kingman: Jeremy was doing a morning show on our community college radio station and needed someone to help. I stepped in and the rest is history. We've worked together at KJR-A working for Mitch Levy, who is the most talented Sports radio guy in the country. We were on-air at the now-defunct Hot 104 and Border 104 in Pullman, WA while away at college #GOCOUGS. Got a job in paradise at 93.3 KZOZ, where we are working on being together (in some capacity) for what is 18 years now.
Jeremy West: After high school I attended Green River Community College and enrolled in their broadcasting program home to the mighty KGRG; this is where I met Jeff. While there we did our first radio show together and I worked for New Century Media (KJR-A/KUBE) in Seattle, I worked for Mitch Levy on KJR-A as his producer/engineer. Then attended Washington State University and worked for KHTR and KQQQ-A in Pullman, WA, where Jeff and I re-joined forces to create the "Jeff and Jeremy Show." After college, moved to San Luis Obispo, CA where we are now on KZOZ.
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
Jeff: Call screener for Mitch, so definitely Mitch Levy. Was a big fan of the T-Man on KUBE in Seattle, and became a huge fan of Adam Carolla working graveyards in college. Miss Don and Mike greatly; they were hilarious and I loved it when all those guys would bring the inner-office radio struggles to the air. John Boyle brought us here and he was a promotional monster. That guy was great to work for because he didn't hold back on the throttle when it came to making sure promotions were done right.
Jeremy: I started out in the production department under Vic Orlando at new Century Media (KJR-A/F, KUBE) in Seattle as dub dog, eventually producing commercials and then producing Mitch in the Morning on KJR-A.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
Jeff: Always was a huge fan. Picked radio over TV. The defining moment had to be when we would do these remotes at My Office Bar and Grill in Pullman before home football games and the place would be nuts to butts before we even took to the air.
Jeremy: I was always a fan of broadcasting ... I started the first TV station at my high school; we took the announcements from the speaker to the TVs. I thought I was going to be on the TV side until I found radio. It was the program at GRCC (KGRG) that opened my eyes to the endless possibilities on radio. Free-thinking, creative, and a ton of fun.
3) When did you guys meet and how did you begin working together?
Jeff and Jeremy: We met in community college and realized that we had good chemistry and more importantly had a good time doing it. We always thought if we could get paid to do this it would be a bonus.
4) You guys did afternoons for a small FM station in Pullman before coming to San Luis Obispo. What can you take away from that experience that prepared you for mornings on KZOZ?
Jeff and Jeremy: Despite being a much bigger place, both geographically and in population, the two areas are very similar. There is a tremendous sense of "local" pride in both these areas. If you say you like a beer that is not from the area, people want to burn you at the stake. Love it.
5) How long have you been doing mornings for KZOZ and give us some of the ratings highlights during your time on the Central Coast?
Jeff and Jeremy: It will be 10 years this February. Ratings have always been really good. The highlights truly stem from the connections that we have been able to make with the listeners and just the amazing lifestyle that this place breeds.
Funniest thing we ever did was sold tickets on April Fool's Day saying that the Foo Fighters were coming to town. People bought it hook, line and sinker. They had just played a pop-up gig in Santa Barbara a few weeks before and the reactions on the "Ticket Line" were priceless.
6) Describe a typical morning show meeting for you guys. a) What is the process? b) How much show prep do you do and what are some of the key benchmarks of your show?
Jeff and Jeremy: We have two benchmarks. Besides that, we have to keep it fresh for our own sanity. Typical prep process varies quite a bit. We have the luxury of knowing each other all too well since we have worked together for so long. We'll typically throw an idea out there and work on developing a discussion angle on it. We don't like to go into too much detail before it goes to air. We need to be engaged in order for the listeners to be engaged. We pull a ton from the community and lifestyle angles
7) Tell us some of the best morning show moments on KZOZ during your time there?
Jeff and Jeremy: Foo Fighters fake concert, all April Fool's Day moments, Not remembering CHP St. Paddy's Day (bigger than Christmas here) wet lab. All Firestone-Walker events, and the time we threw our bosses' guitars off the roof THREE TIMES!
8) You guys are VERY active with social media like Facebook and Twitter. How has that benefited your morning show?
Jeff and Jeremy: It provides us with great thought starters and serves as our #1 prep source. We try to respond to everything and build an amazing connection with the listeners.
9) You guys are both from the Seattle area and are devout Wash. St. Cougar and Seattle Seahawks fans. How does that play out for you doing mornings in California?
Jeff and Jeremy: It's funny because up until last year the Niners/Seahawks rivalry was great. We have laid off of it this year because, let's face it, you can't make fun of the team that rides the short bus to the Big Bell Bottom every day. The Cougar stuff doesn't get brought up all that much because Cal Poly and the Cougs will NEVER play each other.
10) Finally, who is funnier and why?
Jeff: I like to think I am, but Jeremy is truly the funniest because he doesn't have to work at it. He just says whatever he is thinking at the time and it usually is wrong, in turn that makes it funny.
Jeremy: Jeff is hilarious, usually at my expense, but he makes the time go by so fast. He always has me laughing even when I want to punch him in the face :)
Bonus Questions
You guys talk for a living but give us the lowdown on your favorite music ... both artists and songs?
Jeff: I am weird. I used to like only indie obscure stuff. Japandroids top the list. Now I am forced to listen to my two-year-old daughter's stuff and I'm starting to dig it. Love me some Imagination Movers! She also likes Taylor Swift which I'm coming around on despite the fact the girl can't hold a note.
Jeremy: Wow, we are complete opposites ... I'd be happy with Huey Lewis and the News, maybe some Phil Collins, or Van Halen. Jeff's into something called Japandroids...? I always bring headphones on road trips.
What do you read in the bathroom?
Jeff: Right now? Fantasy football blogs. In the off-season I read Ken Anthony's contributions to All Access :) I figure "When in Rome."
Jeremy: Nothing, that's GROSS!
Left to Right: Jeremy West, Jeff Kingman -
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