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10 Questions with ... Diane Michaels
April 18, 2022
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I was hired in 1975 to serve coffee at a remote. The PD thought I had a good voice and hired me on the spot. My training was OJT. That was KUIC/Vacaville, CA. From there I went to work at KSFM (Earth Radio)/Sacramento, then on to Reno at KOZZ and KTHX. Spent 20 years there and now at KPND in Sandpoint. I also produce a bi-weekly radio show for Jiveradio.org from home and also assist with Sacramento’s K-ZAP.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
It was all by chance. I wanted to be a marine biologist! But in retrospect my dad was a big music guy, so he taught me to respect and appreciate music. And I always loved to read aloud as a kid…so my training started early.
2. For those that have never heard KPND, how would you describe the sound of the station?
Mainstream Triple A with a smattering of Americana and blues, and some freedom to throw in some odd crazy tunes once in awhile.
3. What will convince you to add a song that you don't initially hear for the station?
My co-workers' thoughts and if I am the only one in the AAA world not "getting" it.
4. You’ve been with the station for 17+ years. What’s changed and what has remained the same?
I’ve been here now almost 18 years. Originally, we were a Sandpoint station, but we’ve boosted the power and moved the transmitter, so we are now a Spokane station, although the studios remain in Sandpoint. And we’ve gone from a little bungalow to a two-story building with brand new studios.
5. You are in a smaller market with a signal that reaches the larger market of Spokane. What do you do to compete with the larger-market stations?
We just have to stay aware of what’s going on in the metro and sound like we are right there in the middle of it all. We have parties and remotes to keep our faces out in the public. We also have a unique sound compared to the other stations in the market. That’s sort of the AAA vibe, right?
6. What’s your favorite song that you didn’t play and why didn’t you?
Not so much a song as an artist…anything by Delbert McClinton! He just doesn’t quite the fit the mold of current commercial AAA radio. There are a handful of other artists that used to be part of format that are no longer.
7. What do you like best about working at a Triple A station?
The wide variety of new music. Not everything is everyone’s cup of tea, but wait a minute and you’ll hear something you like
8. If You were famous who would you be excited to be interviewed by and why?
What, I’m not famous? Great question…if I WAS famous, I think I’d like to be interviewed by KMTN’s Mark “Fish” Fishman! That would be fun! And I’m guessing we’d talk about stuff totally off the beaten path.
9. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
If I may quote Hunter S. Thompson ... "The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench. A long plastic hallway where pimps and thieves run free and good men die like dogs. There is also the negative side."
Seriously though…music is a great balm for the soul. It can change your whole mood, take you away, and bring back a long-lost memory. I can’t imagine a world without it. I am blessed to have called radio my lifelong career.
10. What are some of your biggest career highlights?
Eating dinner with Van Halen at the beginning of their career ...The limo ride to see Neil Young in San Francisco and hanging out backstage was pretty cool. Meeting Donovan and Country Joe McDonald was also pretty special. Having dinner with Bonnie Raitt! As of late, chatting with Ringo Starr, Graham Nash, David Crosby…and loved my conversation with Mike Campbell. Great guy!
Bonus Questions
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
Hiking, biking, skiing, gardening, boats, airplanes, and motorcycles. And if you know me at all, you know I LOVE MY SHEEPDOGS!
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