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10 Questions with ... Brinke Guthrie
April 24, 2012
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1) What led you to a career in radio?
I used to broadcast Reds games in the shower with a microphone soap-on-a-rope (and am privileged to call the Reds' Marty Brennaman a friend of mine). Then I saw the movie "FM," and I thought, "Boy that looks like fun." It was, too.
2) You're basically a curator of radio history...
I created the WKRQ blog as I wanted to put the ton of photos I had online, so the folks who were there could view them in one spot. We had killer talent top to bottom. The '80s just rocked every day, every week, every year. Mornings with Chris O Brien, PM drive with Mark Sebastian, PD Jim Fox, Pat Barry, Janeen Coyle, Steve Hawkins, Bobbi Maxwell, Pam Rahal ... the list is endless. We were truly a powerhouse, and treated each other as family. It was truly electric.
3) How did you get involved with Q102 initially?
I started out doing the request line. Shortly thereafter, I went to board op, then copywriter/production director. I wrote every bit of spot copy for a decade, I bet. I also happened to be the station mascot ... wore a banana costume. I did music research, programming assistant stuff, I was a news anchor, a backup weekend jock, I ran Casey, I was the primary board op for the big remotes, I did station logo design, set up remotes at concert venues, I did character VO, maintained the music library ... whew. That was all at WKRQ. I moved to WRRM and stuck to promotions. Eventually, I moved out to SF and became part of the start-up team for CNET Radio. We were all-tech news all the time, but we also did wall-to-wall for 9/11, which was a breathtaking several days. The pace was breakneck.
4) Do you miss radio?
Well, I'd like to get back INTO radio! I love to write. I contribute to several popular websites on an informal basis. Write me!
5) What's the coolest promotion you've EVER been involved with?
I put our station coffee mug (WRRM) on Judge Ito's desk during the OJ trial. The logo clearly showed up worldwide. Got a steak at the best place in town from our GM for that one.
6) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?
Jimmy Buffett. I used to avoid his Cincinnati appearances like the plague. The crowds were just bananas. But I've come to appreciate his vibe, and his cheeseburgers at his restaurant in Vegas.
7) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
KRLD/Dallas, I think.
8) Looking back, which years hold the best musical memories for you and who were your favorite acts at that time?
For some reason, 1971-72. I lived in Dallas, and songs like "Brand New Key" were all over the AM radio.
9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Love what you do. It'll never feel like a "job."
10) What advice you would give people new to the business?
See #9
Bonus Questions
What's the best sweeper/liner you've ever heard?
The sweepers Chris O'Brien did for our AM show. He added the "Get outta the WAY" tag to the jingle, ducks quacking, etc. It always sounded terrific.
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