10 Questions with ... Kim Monroe

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

WNCD/Youngstown, WRFX/Charlotte, WEND/Charlotte, NC, KNDD/Seattle, WXTM/Cleveland, iTunes, Sony/RED, Sirius/XM, and WLFM/Cleveland.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I couldn't play guitar or sing, but I loved music and wanted to find a way to be "in it"

2. How did your gig at 87.7 Cleveland's Sound come about?

I was working for Sirius/XM, which wasn't going well for me, I knew about 87.7, and had a few phone calls from the "partners" checking to see if I would be interested in "helping."

3. Who are the owners/management behind the station?

Tom Wilson, Chris Maduri and Tom Embrescia...all local guys. They are amazing!

4. What changes are you making with the music on the station?

Well, when I got here, the push was for a Triple A station, but no one had a very clear vision of what that was supposed to be, in the meantime, listeners were gravitating toward the alternative titles we were playing, so I submitted a plan to take the station Alternative. But, not in the traditional sense...there are a great number of listeners who feel abandoned by radio. We have decided to give these folks a home...we play everything from CCR, Fleetwood Mac, to Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, to Fitz and The Tantrums and Silversun Pickups...and NO, it doesn't sound weird!

5. It appears you are now starting to get the sound of the station more current and more Alternative. Explain changes you have been made to the station since taking over as PD?

We definitely are heading more into a current based alternative, but trying to preserve some flavor....little bit of blues, classic alt, '80s alt, and classic rock...a long time ago, radio used to play MUSIC...rock and roll, it wasn't so narrowly defined, and we are having fun...so are our listeners!

6. How much of the day has live jocks? Who are they?

WE ARE COMPLETELY LIVE! Morning drive is myself and Archie Berwick (a.k.a., the Black Mr. Rogers) he is really a good guy with a positive message, we are very different, but somehow it works. Sean "Bull" Robertson does middays; he's been in the market for a while, a true Cleveland music guy. Rachel Steele is my MD and PM drive host. Rachel, Bull and I all worked together once upon a time at 92.3, so that part was easy. I have some new, fresh (and green) talent Dan "The Messenger" McCarthy; he's young, college student, wicked smart and loves this city!! Cherise does overnights...this is a blue collar town, lots of 3rd shifters, why pretend they don't exist or matter, they do! On weekends, I have two more newbies Lydia and Gene and Rocco is here and does his own thing on Saturday Nights and long-time Local show "Inner Sanctum," lives here on Sunday Night.

7. As a LPFM, what marketing are you guys doing to get the word out about the station?

Lots of social networking, grass roots, getting out in front of people as much as possible, we have billboards going up in a few weeks.

8. What is your typical day like?

Well, since I do mornings, it's a challenge. I get to the station about 5a, and from 5:30 until 10 we are live. After my shift, I answer e-mails, return calls, planning meetings with sales and promotions, whatever I need to do. I try to leave around 2p, but I still answer my cell until about 5p. Then it's mommy-time and bed-time!

9. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Passion for the music! When I don't love the music anymore, or I don't get excited anymore. It's time to hang it up!

10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

COFFEE! And, I have tried!

First record ever purchased:

KISS "Rock and Roll Over"

First concert:

Pat Benatar ( a boyfriend took me...he loved her!!)

Favorite band of all-time:

THE CURE

What is the latest with your family and what do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?

Now that summer is here...swimming!!! We have a pool in our development, so the kids love to swim! We go to parks and the zoo and Cedar Point. Summer in Northeast Ohio means OUTSIDE.