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10 Questions with ... Gini Mascorro
March 12, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Got my start in college radio as a late-night jazz DJ, and following graduation worked as a traffic reporter for a number of commercial stations in and around the D/FW market. Once the novelty of split-shifts wore off, I moved over to local NPR affiliate KERA 90.1 and worked as a talk show producer and midday host from 2000 until 2009, when KXT burst forth into the world.
1. How did you become interested in public radio?
Blame Chris Douridas, Liza Richardson and Terry Gross ... they planted the seed!
2. How long have you been involved with the KERA organization?
In April, I'll be celebrating my 12th anniversary here.
3. How did the birth of KXT happened?
In the months leading up to November 2009, following the purchase of the 91.7 frequency, it felt like the Manhattan Project around here. There were tons of closed-door meetings and whisperings and lots of speculation as to who'd be coming on board, so when I was called in and given the news, I almost fainted.
4. Tell us how the station is making efforts to support the local music community.
Not only do we showcase music from North Texas artists in our locally-produced hours, right alongside the established, tried-and-trues and the newer artists, we also host local live music showcases at area venues, such as our Triple Play and Barefoot At The Belmont series.
5. With Mark Abuzzahab now there, what is the next "phase" for the station?
Yay, Mark! Mark has brought to the table not only his mind-blowingly encyclopedic knowledge of music, but coming from the commercial world, he also possesses a keen sensibility for what keeps audiences tuned in and begging for more.
6. What type of features do you run on the station?
We run World Café, American Routes, Acoustic Cafe, eTown, and Undercurrents, featuring the greatness of Gregg McVicar.
7. How do you stay in tune with your audience?
Via Facebook and Twitter, of course. Oh, social networking ... where would we be without you?
8. Most surprising record of the past 12 months?
The one that hasn't left my player since last spring has been Diego Garcia's Laura. It's one of the dreamiest, most soul-soothing CDs ever produced, and I have withdrawals when it doesn't come up again soon enough on random. To everyone who's sick of hearing me go on and on about it ... sorry, but I'm not going to shut up about this one!
9. What do you view as the most important issue facing public radio today?
Personally reaching out to new audience members, tapping new ears and cultivating what we are already known for doing best.
10. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
That pouring your blood, tears and sweat into something you love truly does pay off.
Bonus Questions
Last non-industry job:
Waiting tables, if memory serves correctly. I've pretty much blocked it all out.
First record ever purchased:
With my allowance money ... Fleetwood Mac's Rumours.
First concert:
The first Pretenders tour following the deaths of James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon (RIP, gentlemen...).
Favorite band of all-time:
X.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
Writing and travel help bring me back to earth. I have a terminal case of wanderlust, a mile-long list of places to visit, and am forever squirreling away my hard-earned pay to make it happen.
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