-
10 Questions with ... Amy Black
October 14, 2008
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
Please outline your radio career so far:
Careful, this is a mouthful! KBUL/Reno (Part-time on air and promotions) 2007-2008 KWYL/Reno (Middays and MD).
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
Not technically a gig, but it was 2am at the measly University of Idaho station where I had a buddy who did an obscure Alternative Rock show straight from his iPod. I was armed with a Nalgene bottle full of rum and coke. There couldn't have been more than three people listening, but it still took the entire bottle to give me the liquid courage to open the mic. It sounded a lot like ... "Um ... yeah. This Modest Mouse song is ... um."
2) What led you to a career in radio?
I grew up in a town that got three stations on a good day, so I wasn't one of those kids who stayed up at night figuring out clocks, dreaming up sweepers, or interviewing my stuffed animals. Landing a career in radio was a total freak accident that all started with a little feature called K-Bull Kritters. I did PR at a local animal shelter and bimonthly brought a critter to the Woody and Paula Wake Up to help boost awareness. I met some great people at the station and started as a remote tech soon after. After a few hungry months, KBUL's PD Derek Gunn offered me the night show, and I fell in love!
3) What is your favorite part of the job?
Having the opportunity to soak up anything and everything before my brilliant, magnanimous PD Nick Elliott gets sick of me asking a gazillion questions everyday. I get a bonus point for that, right?
4) What is the most challenging part of the job?
The lack of communication between promotions, production and sales can be a little frustrating.
5) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?
Danzig is my snowboard soundtrack.
6) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
Until very recently, I feared public speaking more than death.
7) If you could add one full-time position to your budget right now, what would it be?
In a perfect world I'd have an adorable Jimmy John's sandwich guy on call in the studio, but realistically we could use another staff member in Interactive. The web is such a great medium for connecting with listeners, and we currently have one guy keeping up with four stations.
8) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
Ryan Seacrest. I can't help it! Not only is he very easy on the eyes, I love the way he talks to you instead of at you. His interviews aren't awkward drilling sessions. He sounds like he's just catching up with a buddy.
9) Who would be a "dream guest" to have on your show?
Can I use the same answer twice? No? Then I'd love to have Tina Fey. I'd just have her do a naughty Sarah Palin impression over and over and over...
10) What advice you would give people new to the business?
Newer than me? Don't be afraid to do the grunt work. If you have to start out washing vans, holding down the choice spot at a concert for 11 hours, or alphabetizing the biggest collection of CDs you've ever seen, do it with a smile. You've been given the opportunity to work in the most amazing industry!
Bonus Questions
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A landscape architect, figure skater, sex therapist, veterinarian, social worker and wildlife photographer, just to name a few. I changed majors almost every semester in college, so I took a career analysis test that said I was most suited for a job as a ... drum roll, please ... flight attendant.
-
-