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10 Questions with ... Cosmo
May 9, 2023
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
First gig was out of St. Louis Broadcast Center at 20-years old in Craig/Steamboat Springs, Colorado… then back home to Missouri for a stint in Sedalia, MO and Mornings and PD of KSDL. Then off to WDEK and then where the Cosmo nickname came to be at 97ZOK for nights (ask Scott Chase or Paige for the full Pirate Radio stunt story. Came back to Missouri to launch KOQL/Q106.1 as PD/mornings and then crossed town to lead KTXY Y107. Will celebrate 20 years on Y107 next September.
I also love doing sports play-by-play and handle those duties for multiple sports online for Columbia College Cougar athletics
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
It was crazy. Classic AM/FM mom & pop owned combo … I did it all. Air shift, news, sports, farm reports etc. Learned a TON. Still can't believe I moved 22 hours away from home for my first gig.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
Never really considered broadcasting as a career, but as a kid we were always making up shows with our boom boxes and cassettes. Kept hearing about the St. Louis Broadcast Center (on the radio, of course) and the rest is history.
3. Your wife Kat is your morning show co-host. How does that add to the dynamic of the show?
Kat is a natural and has elevated my game to the next level. We don't make the fact that we're married a huge part of the show. It comes up, of course, but our focus is on telling great stories, and inviting the listeners in to be a big part of our party.
4. Who would be a dream guest to have come to the studio and plug in across from you folks?
Man… dream guest is tough to choose one. I'd say right now it would have to be Ryan Reynolds. Just a brilliant guy, so quick and I can only imagine the stories! For Kat since she's a coach and woman's mentor it would be Mel Robbins.
5. How does your show jump start the rest of Y's broadcast day?
We are a high energy, listener involved show. We love to laugh, but when the need to be serious is there, we're not afraid to range into those emotions. Fun is a core value of not just Y107, but our entire company. We are so blessed at Y107 to have an experienced and talented staff with our PD Chris Carson on middays and the Marconi Award winner Kristin Monica on afternoons and Erik Zachary's XYZ show on nights.
6. How do we become more attractive to the potential Gen Z and Generation Alpha audiences?
Be where they are as much as possible. Local events, concerts and fundraisers. Social media is important but it's so much more than just 'being on Tik Tok.' We're constantly asking ourselves and our team how do we stay relevant and in their wheel house.
7. What's your all-time favorite backstage memory?
More of an on-stage memory…while at 97ZOK in Rockford the On The Waterfront concerts were HUGE! Whole staff on stage each announcing short bullet points and then chucking t-shirts to the crowd … I was last and as I yell "Give it up for Blessed Union of Souuuuuuuuuls"
I run off stage and JUST miss getting blasted by the guitar player who was running just as fast ON THE STAGE! 8. If you could take a spin in the custom All Access Back To The Future Delorean, which legendary station from the past would you like to work at for a week?
As a kid from St. Louis it would have to be KSHE95 . Hands down. Close second would be the old Top 40 there, KHTR 103.3
9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
As mentioned prior, KHTR for the Top 40. I can still remember my dad bursting the bubble of Casey Kasem's AT40 .. how the heck did he know the top 10??? It was in the newspaper? WTH?!? KSHE was and is still a legendary Classic Rock station. I remember an April Fools Day stunt where they created the storyline that they were throwing stuff off of the top of the Gateway Arch.. I fell for it hook line and sinker. The rush I got knowing that those kind of memorable stunts and bits could be created? LET'S GO!
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
I've always listened to out of market shows and airchecks. MoJo , Elvis Duran certainly Kidd Kraddick (direct competitor) going to MSBC and just soaking up how others are using the invisible airwaves to make memorable content event better! Always trying to be a better broadcaster.
Bonus Questions
With the venue of your choice available and an unlimited budget, which 6 artists would you pull together for a summer Y107 blast?
Oh snap! Ok
Khalid, Doja Cat, Lizzo, Ed Sheeran for sure, Harry Styles and heck we changed the name of the station for this girl a while back TaYlor106 … the one and only Taylor Swift.
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