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10 Questions with ... Kevin 'Gravy' Canup
February 17, 2009
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NAME:Kevin 'Gravy' CanupPOSITION:MD/night DJMARKET:Grand Rapids and LansingOWNER:Citadel
Please outline your radio career so far:
I started my first gig doing weekends at 1320 WKAN in Kankakee. Did that for a year. Then I got my first full-time gig doing nights at WTKO (Kicker 106) in Beeville, TX. I was there for a year and was also the MD. Then spent three years at KNDA "Da Bomb" in Corpus Christi, TX. I did middays, nights and mornings there. Then I worked at WCZQ in Champaign, IL for three years. I was the PD and night guy there. I am now at WHTS in Grand Rapids doing nights and I am the MD. I also do nights at WJIM in Lansing.
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
I worked weekends on a Country AM station. So if I messed up, I knew no one was listening. So it was great!
2) What led you to a career in radio?
I recorded a commercial at WCCQ in Joliet, IL and the guy said I should do radio. Then I interned for him and he asked me to never come back again. No reason given, but never come back.
3) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?
Well, I have done Hip-hop and Country. I know ... what a combination. So Pop is totally different for me. I definitely had to cut down on the slang here. Our station is unique because our cluster is not afraid to spend money on big events.
4) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?
Wow, definitely, but the more you can do, the better you are these days. I am the MD; I do production, and a night show in Grand Rapids and Lansing. With the way this economy is going, I am sure I'll add janitor duties soon. Hey, it's a resume builder.
5) What is the most challenging part of the job?
Trying to keep my sanity with all these 12-year-olds calling.
6) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?
I don't have an iPod. I don't even have a CD player. I am 100% radio.
7) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
It's a toss-up between WBUS and Z95 in Chicago.
8) What advice you would give people new to the business?
Learn and do as many things possible. So, when it comes to firing people, they might keep you.
9) What is the current state of the radio "talent pool"?
I would say poor because so many people are told to just read the liner card. How entertaining can that be?
10) What would you like to do to save radio from its "dying-industry" image?
Shoot satellites out of space.
Bonus Questions
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A radio DJ. I know, I am a man of low expectations .
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