10 Questions with ... Robin Nash

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Aside from a quickie stint in promotions at Camel Country 108 here in Phoenix, I started here as a DJ while still in college at ASU. It was just a baby born station in '93 as The Edge 106.3/100.3, which has changed to The Edge 103.9 and now X103.9. I shifted from overnights after three years, to nights for another three years. In 1998, PD Shellie Hart bumped me to middays. Soon after I worked with Nancy Stevens as PD, who named me Music Director in 2001. Then Marc Young took over the PD stripes and we rocked it for awhile before his move to Q101. Tim Virgin came in and took over the MD stripes for awhile, and then after his departure to Q101, Marc Young came back to 103.9 and bumped me back up again to MD. I've been holding on tight to the midday slot all along and lovin' every minute of it! I've been told I'm an anomaly in this crazy world of radio...being able to grow with one station for over 15 years!

1. What are you most proud of since joining the station 15 years ago?

Being part of a family team in radio...working with a majority of the same people for more than 12 years. That's unheard of.

2. What do you remember the most about when you started working at The Edge?

I remember Dead Air Dave showing me the production world, Christopher The Minister and John Clay telling me to lose the NY accent, and Willobee letting me fill in sometimes (yelling at me often) with him on his morning show in the tiny trailer that 106.3/100.3 broadcasted from...that we dubbed as "the crack house." The best that remember vividly was Willobee playing me BUSH for the first time and asking me if "Everything Zen" would fit our station.

3. What do you like best about living in Arizona?

Sunny days, beautiful winters.

4. What will be your biggest challenge with your recent promotion to MD?

I've done this before and excited to be back working with my fav record reps! Only challenge is to keep them happy.

5. What are the music meetings like at the station?

Fun! We sit with the entire staff and rate songs each meeting to gather everyone's thoughts on the music we're looking to play in the future. We laugh, we argue, we laugh again.

6. What makes 103.9 unique?

I say this every time...a majority of the staff has been here for over 12 years and this community has grown up with us. We actually live the lifestyle of our listeners and therefore, they feel a true connection to us both on and off the air. Plus, our music I feel, offers the best, freshest, and "true alternative music" variety of any station I've tuned in to across the nation.

7. What would an outsider find most surprising about the Phoenix radio market?

As competitive as we all are, I feel there's a mutual respect amongst us all and you can see that when out sharing the same events.

8. What excites you most about your midday shift?

Everything! Being 100% involved in everyone's day. I'm the one playing their favorite tunes while they're taking a break from their own day. Interacting through social networking, phones, offering up current videos and event news...basically putting a smile on someone's face, who may be having a rough day.

9. What would surprise people most about you?

I love to cook. I think of myself as a little chef.

10. What are you most passionate about?

That's a loaded question. I'm so passionate about so many things, it's really too long of a list to answer. Yes of course family, friends, music, and happy animals ;) ...But the one thing that's top of mind would be "honesty."

What are your specialties in the kitchen?

I can open the fridge and cabinets and make the tastiest meal out of what you may think is garbage. Plus, I can rock the best Italian meal you've ever tasted. It takes hours...my grandma's secret recipe.