-
10 Questions with ... Michael Buhrman
August 4, 2015
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started as a weekender at KS1075 in 2001. I moved to Over nights in 2004, named Assistant MD in 2008, Programming Assistant in 2009 and promoted to MD in 2011. In January 2014, I added APD duties.
1. What got you into radio?
I started off as a listener and a prize whore who used to win all the contests as a kid. Happened to be the Phat 5 @ 9 winner on the first night of the new night guy, Kobe at the time and after several months of calling he asked me to come in and be an intern and I've been addicted every since.
2. Do you remember your first impression of walking into the studios and offices of KS?
My very first experience when coming in as an intern was being walked up the stairs to the studios for the first time and the PD at the time, Cat Collins walking down and sarcastically saying to the night guy, "who's your uninvited guest?" Having not known Cat at the time, my first impression was fear and thought it was going to be my last day. It's funny looking back because Cat ended up being the guy who hired me as an on air personality and later as Assistant Music Director and had a lot of great years with him while he was in Denver.
3. Best advice for someone trying to break into the radio business?
Try and learn how to do EVERYTHING. Learn production tools like Pro Tools or Adobe, learn design tools like Photoshop or Canva, learn through great air talent and programmers how to fine tune your show... todays world of radio is much different than when I started but when I started I was the "What can I do...how can I help" and just making yourself readily available and the go to person for everything. Also, just work hard. I notice a lot of people trying to break in from some broadcasting schools and what not who almost have an attitude like they earned a spot in radio or TV. They haven't even started yet.
4. Where would you rather spend a 3-day weekend...Las Vegas or Coachella?
I've never been to Coachella but I absolutely love Vegas so as much as I'd love to try something new I'd probably say Vegas. And three days is about as many days in a row I can take anyway so thats perfect . I spent Memorial Day weekend there for my birthday and from what I remember it was a fun time.
5. What would probably surprise most people about you?
Probably how long I've been in radio. I started interning when I was 15 and was almost hired as soon as I turned 16 so having 15 years experience at my age and having now spent half of my life doing radio I think is the main surprise for people who don't know me.
6. What's your favorite song on the station right now?
The Weeknd "The Hills"! I heard this before "Cant Feel My Face" (which is another favorite of mine) and was blown away when it dropped. It's amazing the dramatic rise in popularity The Weeknd has enjoyed over the past six months and am loving the direction his music is going. I think he's going to be a great artist for KS for a while.... honorable mention to K Kamp "Comfortable", too. And not just because they say "Denver Nugget" in the song.
7. If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?
Seriously no clue. Definitely something with music so would probably be trying to work records or do something on the concert side of things. But just to wake up every morning to a job that you love doing is a blessing and with radio its been that way and more specifically with the great staff here at KS. Kage has put together such an amazing crew and we just keep pushing on and doing what we do and try to make awesome radio.
8. You also work with the cluster's Comedy station, Comedy 103.1 (http://www.comedy1031.com/). Do you see many similarities between comedians and recording artists?
Comedy 13.1 is GREAT and it's been an awesome 2+ years being apart of that station. And with comedy, just like with music, you have up and comers and super superstars. I find while a guy like Kevin Hart or Louis CK may be a little difficult to get in studio and partner up because they are so next level, the majority of comedians usually make time to stop by because they've heard how great the station is and we have a great relationship with Comedy Works which is one of the best comedy clubs in the country so that's been a great relationship. But it's been awesome to get guys like Bob Saget (who's my fav), Louie Anderson or Sinbad etc, etc in the building and be able to chop it up with them and hear some of their awesome stories.
9. Hypothetical situation...You need a temporary co-host for your show but your co-host must be either a comedian or recording artist, who would you choose?
Me and comedian Jo Koy have a great rapport so I'd probably say him. But on the music side, you can't go ten seconds in a conversation with Baby Bash without laughing your ass off so I'd probably need two co-hosts.
10. I know that your PD, John E. Kage, has been a mentor to you. Ever given him advice or counsel?
I wouldn't be where I am right now if it wasn't for Kage and no single person has looked out more for me in my career than him. The knowledge that has come from working with him has been very rewarding. Fortunately, whenever I have opinions on station related matters he always has an open ear and I know he will listen to my thoughts and actually take what I say into consideration so we're always having discussions on that. But he's a great friend so we are always giving each other advice on everything from radio, to life in general and everything in between.
Bonus Questions
You are the king of Facebook food porn. What's your favorite Denver dinner spot?
In terms of the really nice and fancy and only get to go there once in a while place it would definitely be Shanahan's Steakhouse. In terms of where I can frequent more often probably Jack N Grill which has some amazing green chile. At the end of the day I'm almost always as Chipotle which was founded right here in Colorado!
Favorite thing about living and working in Denver?
The weather which is sunny almost year round and even when we get snow it's usually melted the next day. I also love the vast diversity of people. This is one of those cities where when you move here you never leave. If you move away, you end up back in three months (which has been BRUTAL on traffic lately but hey what can you do)
-
-