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10 Questions with ... R Dub!
May 23, 2023
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I was so fortunate to be able to start my broadcasting career at the age of 15 in Tucson, Arizona, working for some incredible stations including KJYK (Power 1490), KRQQ, and KOHT. After many years in Tucson—a town I loved so much—I was pried away to program KHHT (Hot 92.3) in Los Angeles. I've been in San Diego since 2011, where I program both XHTZ (Z90) and XHRM (Magic 92.5). I also host afternoons live on XHRM. My Benztown-syndicated Sunday Night Slow Jams show currently airs on over 200 radio stations in 17 countries.
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
There should be a movie about Tucson's Power 1490. In fact, we produced an award-winning documentary about it – you can find it on YouTube. Here was an AM radio station, in the 90s, breaking Hip-Hop music in Tucson, AZ. Kids were coming home after school to turn on an AM signal to hear news songs from Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Dr. Dre. It was the city's only outlet for 'their' music. And it was the staff that really put the station on steroids…and, we were all kids – kids going up against the milquetoast old dudes at the big (and boring) 100,000 FM competitor in town…and winning!
Some mega talent got their starts at Power 1490, including KYSR's Stryker, KMJK's Boogie D, Bruce St. James (KPWR, KKFR, etc.) and so many more. I was doing the night show by the time I was a junior in high school. It was some of the most fun I would have in my entire life; a dream come true for a kid who wanted so badly to be in radio.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
I was one of 'those' kids who knew he wanted to be in radio at extremely early age. I was lucky enough to live in a few cities with some impeccable radio and grew up listening to and learning from them. I paid attention to what was between the songs and felt an overwhelming connection to the personalities…borderline stalker-vibes! I was only 14 years old when I absolutely knew, without a doubt, that this was the career for me.
My dear mother, God bless her heart, not only supported this dream, but physically 'pushed' me into it. I was just 15 when Mom found a help-wanted ad in the newspaper looking for a DJ for a mobile entertainment company. She urged me to apply. I was just 15 and thought, 'There's no way they'd ever hire me. I'm a kid with no experience…they'd laugh at me! No thanks!' Being the amazing mother she was, the very next day, she took it upon herself to call the owner and sing my praises. I shrieked with horror when she informed me she had called the company and 'set up an interview' for me. 'How could you do that to me, Mom?!' I almost died from embarrassment – at 15, you're way 'too coo' to have your mom call a potential employer. Well wouldn't you know, I ended up getting that job! And it was that first job that would put me on the most incredible life path I could ever imagine. It was at that moment when I learned the most valuable career lesson ever: Never, ever be afraid to go for it. Ever. It's been my life strategy ever since: I ask for everything, including things I'm obviously vastly underqualified for. It's how I got on Shark Talk in 2013 and how got that amazing gig in Los Angeles. Just keep asking, no matter how absurd the 'ask' is – sometimes they say yes!
3. You're the day-to-day programmer of Z90.3 and do afternoons across the hall on Magic 92.5. What's your secret for keeping all the balls in the air?
Two things, specifically. Number one, I truly adore these two brands. I'm 'old school' in the fact that I've always believed that a station needs and deserves its own PD. I know that today, it's not uncommon for someone to be PD of three, four, even five stations! But I've always been a purest, and believed that a station and its staff, clients and listeners deserve the attention of their own, exclusive PD. I never had any interest in giving my attention and love to more than one radio station at a time until an opportunity to program two of my absolute favorite stations in the world came about. I could not say no. It felt akin to having both J-Lo and Selma Hayek ask me to the dance: 'Why yes, yes I will take you both!' So my secret number one isn't a secret at all: I simply love these two brands so deeply, with all of my heart and soul. That makes the work never seem like 'work.'
Second, I have an incredible team here that is great at everything they do. I feel like a conductor to an incredible orchestra – where every player is the consummate pro at what they do. We have a vision and my fantastic team here is responsible for executing the perfect score. And they do, every time. It all comes together beautifully because of them. I'm nothing without them.
4. Your legendary 'Sunday Night Slow Jams' show airs on Z and also on over 200 (!) other radio stations. You started the show when you were 16 – what has that part of your career been like for you?
Absolutely thrilling. I feel so blessed to be able to bring one of my strongest passions (love songs and dedications) to almost every far-flung corner of the country (and now, world!). I get just as excited to receive a phone call from Mankato, MN, as I do when I hear from listeners in New York and Los Angeles. SNSJ is a true 'connector,' and now, almost 30 years in, I'm hearing from adults who tell me they've been listening to the show since they were kids and would listen with their mom! We make deep connections with listeners - whether it's someone missing a loved one a thousand miles away or a teenage girl going through her first breakup, it's amazing how the show resonates (and wins) with every demo imaginable. I get calls from 70-year-olds, 11-year-olds and every age in between…every color and background you can imagine! Love is universal. And now, since we offer SNSJ in versions for seven different formats, virtually any station can make their Sunday nights (and now weeknights) a destination.
From a career standpoint, it's been nice to always have a second, and much more, stable job. When you just have 'a job at a radio station,' well, that can all be taken away in two seconds: Another budget cut can come at any moment, or your station can decide 'to go in a different direction' (with you) tomorrow. However, with syndication, SNSJ specifically, if tomorrow, one of my affiliates decides to part ways with me, I still have 224 more. It's one of the few instances where you truly have some real 'security' in this industry. Since the success of SNSJ, it's been my choice to stay in local radio as a programmer and local air talent – I do it because I want to, not because I have to. It's an incredibly satisfying and liberating feeling. I promised myself I'd exit when it stops being fun. It hasn't.
I'd be remiss if I didn't thank Chachi, Masa, Mark Wilson and the whole Benztown Brigade, who have really catapulted SNSJ into one of America's most listened-to shows.
5. You're also The Grand Leader & Sultan of The United Territories of the Sovereign Nation of The People's Republic of Slowjamastan. Please fill us in on when and how that all came together and when and how can we visit?
I haven't lost my marbles, I swear. "Micronations" are a real thing. In 2021, I bought 11 acres of land near The Salton Sea in Southern California and claimed independence as The Republic of Slowjamastan. We have our own currency, passports, a national anthem, and over 1,500 citizens playing along. We have a fire engine, police car and a border patrol truck – you have to protect your borders, right? We see quite a few tourists! I honestly did not expect Slowjamastan to blow up quite like it did (and is still doing). Oh, and we have laws too – Crocs (the shoes) are forbidden in Slowjamastan. Confused? I understand. Time to visit slowjamastan.org! Grab a drink and dive in, you'll be there for a while, I assure you.
6. You're a travel aficionado, having visited 192 of the 193 countries on the planet. How have you accomplished that and what is the last country left for you and do you have plans to get there??
Tom, since you've sent me these questions, I'm happy to say I checked off 193! I didn't purposely save Turkmenistan until the end – it just so happened to be the last country (that I hadn't seen) to open up after that pesky pandemic. I was there last week and absolutely loved it - I had no idea I would enjoy it so much. So what are my three favorite countries? I'm glad you asked! Brazil, Philippines and Turkmenistan. The three 'craziest?' Probably North Korea, Somalia and Yemen. You can check out my photos and a report from each country on my travel blog at www.ramblinrandy.com. Just pick a country, any country, and you'll get a look at it through my eyes. The world really is a beautiful place, even places you'd never think to visit.
7. What's your all-time favorite backstage memory?
It's been a blast interviewing so many Slow Jams stars backstage, but bringing my Mom (God rest her soul) on-stage at a Sunday Night Slow Jams LIVE! was my most memorable concert experience. I asked the crowd of 12,000 people if I could introduce them to 'the lady of my life.' They went bananas when I brought up Mom. And to think, this all wouldn't be happening if she hadn't called to score that interview for me when I was 15!
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?
Take me to 102 Jamz Orlando (WJHM) in 1991! That station was so very one of a kind. From the very focused yet diverse and local music mix, to the outstanding jocks and brilliant Jerry Clifton-based imaging, no station has had a more special and unique vibe than 102…Jams!
9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
WJHM Orlando (Bartell Bartell), WGCI Chicago (Disco Dave & Frankie J) and KKBT Los Angeles (Every jock!)
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
This is not a winning venture – I'm going to miss so many people that deserve to be mentioned. Please know I am thankful for and have learned something from absolutely everyone I've ever had the pleasure of working with. But at the very top sit: Bruce St. James, Tim Richards, Mark Medina, Dave "Chachi" Denes, Greg Ashlock, Michael Martin, Dan Hunt, Maynard, Erik Bradley, Jim Ryan, Tracy Johnson, Joe Lindsay, Gregg Wolfson, and Norm McKee. And if we had more space, my list would go on for ten more pages.
Also, all of my SNSJ affiliate PDs share responsibility for my success. I started SNSJ in Tucson at just 16 years old. Today it is surreal to have the show on in places like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. I'd like to thank all of my affiliates profusely. It is an honor and privilege to be a part of so many amazing radio stations in every part of the country and world. I feel I'm the luckiest guy alive.
Bonus Questions
With an unlimited budget and venue of your choice available, which 6 artists would you pull together for a Z Summer bash?
Taylor Swift, Weeknd, BTS, Bad Bunny and Jimmy Buffet (so my Dad can come!)
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