-
10 Questions with ... Big Reid
September 3, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. That I care about my listeners more than anything. I'm not trying to sound corny; this is a real thing. I knew going into this and already having experience doing weekends that I was going to become familiar with the people and build that friendship. But in the last year, I have become super-close with a lot of my listeners. I try my best to be there for them even when I'm off the air. I'm available 24/7 if they need someone and I know they appreciate that
-
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I got my start at Chabot College in Hayward, CA on KCRH, "The East Bay's Best Variety," and later got an opportunity to intern with the Fernando and Greg Morning Show on 99.7 NOW. After my internship I was hired to be on the Promotions team and got my first shot on-air overnight on Black Friday in 2014. I continued to fill in and made my way back to the morning show as Video Producer, running the show's live video stream, eventually landing weekend nights on-air. After doing weekends for a while, our longtime night host left the station and I went for it and became the night show host officially in December of 2018.
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
Working on the Promotions team was pretty straightforward, but working with the morning show as the Video Producer was a challenge. I don't think CBS Radio will fire me now but I knew absolutely nothing about editing video or running a live video board. So there was a lot of YouTube tutorials and prayers.
As far as being on-air, I was bad ... like bad bad. Worst part is at the time I thought I was killing it!
2. What led you to a career in radio?
Growing up I was in foster care, so a lot of times I would find myself being alone. The radio was the only thing I had to keep me company. I would listen all the time and got fascinated with the idea of being on the other side. I would dub myself doing intros of songs over my foster parents' tapes. They were pissed -- but I was hooked!
3. You've been doing nights at 99.7 NOW for a year now. Looking back at that year, is there one thing that stands out that you didn't realize about yourself as a jock?
That I care about my listeners more than anything. I'm not trying to sound corny; this is a real thing. I knew going into this and already having experience doing weekends that I was going to become familiar with the people and build that friendship. But in the last year, I have become super-close with a lot of my listeners. I try my best to be there for them even when I'm off the air. I'm available 24/7 if they need someone and I know they appreciate that.
4. As a kid growing up, what was your favorite station? Jock?
My favorite station growing up is ironically my competitor now, Wild 107/949. What's awesome is that I've had the opportunity to work with a lot of the people who molded that station into what it is today, such as Michael Martin, Jazzy Jim, St. John, Strawberry and the list goes on. Every day when I show up to Bonneville/SF for some reason I run into Elvis (The Doghouse) and that blows my mind that he knows who I am. Sorry, but I'm still a huge radio nerd!
Favorite jocks would have to be St. John, Strawberry, Chuy Gomez, Victor "Big Daddy" Zaragoza, Sway, and Renel!
5. What kinds of social media engagements are working best for you these days?
Responding. It's really important to interact with the people as much as possible. Like their posts, retweet them, and respond to their comments. It means a lot.
I also do an Instagram Live nightly, #BigReidLive, where I chat with listeners from 9:30-10p PT Monday through Thursday.
6. "Local, local, local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep yourself visible and involved in the community?
I make myself available and participate in as many programs as possible. Currently working on a program with a few friends that visits various campuses throughout the Bay Area and conduct assemblies with the goal to positively impact youth with stories of perseverance from people they can relate to.
7. What is your favorite part of the job?
The listeners. I don't think I could ever get tired of making someone's day. I also like food drops, yeah ... especially Wing Stop!
8. What's the coolest promotion you've been involved with recently?
For the second year we did Camp 997 where we send a bunch of kids to a week-long sleep-away camp. For some of those kids, it was their first time experiencing something like that. For others, it was a chance to get out and make new friends! Seeing the pictures of them having fun was awesome.
9. Who would be a "dream guest" to have on your show?
I've come back to this question way too many times. But I think I got it. Bruno Mars -- yup. He seems chill and I feel like we could have a dope conversation.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
Oh, man where do I start! Chad Mark Glen, my college professor at Chabot, basically gave me a station to break and put back together again. Fernando from 99.7 NOW has been in my corner since day zero! Before I even got my internship, he was handing off my demo to our PD. Forever grateful to him! Mary Diaz, she taught me how to do radio! From the running a tight board to VoxPro, she's always been a huge mentor to me. My PD Jazzy Jim ... he's one of the greats and he made me work my ass off for everything, no handouts, and it made me a better jock.
As far as influences: St. John and Strawberry. I grew up listening to those guys; who would have known I'd be doing crosses everyday with St. John and taking over for Straw! Crazy.
Bonus Questions
What has been the "song of summer" for your listeners? and what has been the "song of summer" for you?
The song of the summer for my listeners? Depends on what group you're asking, but I can say without a doubt that Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello's "Senorita" is it.
For me? Jonas Brothers "Sucker!"
-
-