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10 Questions with ... Rob Reinhart
January 9, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started in radio at University of Michigan campus station, moved on to commercial AC in Jackson, MI and AOR in Ann Arbor. Started radio ad agency and production company, produced national advertising and syndicated radio comedy for Premiere from 1990-2002, launched Acoustic Cafe in 1994. Added a new show (Essential Music) to WDET/Detroit in 2009.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I grew up with The Big 8 (CKLW) and WJR and was hooked on both of those stations instantly. I guess I started by "playing radio" in my bedroom, age eight, with a tape recorder, record player and the newspaper.
2. How many years have you been doing Acoustic Cafe now?
Acoustic Café launched in the third week of January 1995 on five affiliates. We are about to enter our 18th year!
3. How would you describe the music mix on the Acoustic Cafe?
Aggressive acoustic music in no particular genre! Our main focus is rock, pop, alt country, folk, blues, etc.
4. How many stations carry the show now?
Acoustic Cafe is carried on 85 stations, plus Voice Of America.
5. What do like best about doing the show?
Creating a post-produced show that sounds like care and attention to detail was put into it ... because they were! There's a lot of the "let's just throw it on the air/web" mentality. That's not what we do. What we do takes time, and I feel that time is worth the effort.
6. Who would be your dream guest on the show?
Elton John
7. What is your biggest challenge?
Making sure that Acoustic Café remains a show that I would want to listen to every week.
8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
"I would do this job for free." When the first old-timer told me that, I knew what he meant immediately. I was 16. I still believe it today.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ....
Coffee! I know it was supposed to be something more "radio," but what's more radio than coffee?
10. If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?
Become a political strategist. But I'd settle for doing political ad VOs from my home studio all day!
Bonus Questions
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
Raising two boys (10 and 15), kayaking, biking, camping and collecting antique radios (seriously)
Last non-industry job:
Busboy, age 15
First record ever purchased:
A 45 of "Hey Jude"/"Revolution" by The Beatles
First concert:
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, three weeks before "Night Moves" was released... STARZ ("Cherry Baby") opened...
Favorite band of all-time:
Louis Armstrong And His Hot 5 ... and Traffic!
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