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10 Questions with ... Chris Rahn
June 2, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started out as a street team member at Classic Rock KQRS here in Minneapolis. Worked my way into some weekend air shifts at the sister Alternative station Drive 105, as well as some overnights on KQ. I then got the Traffic Director position for Drive 105 while continuing my weekend air shifts. Next stop was PD/on-air for Drive 105. I stayed on in that position through two format changes, LOVE 105 (Oldies), and LOVE 105 version 2 (AC). I ultimately met my doom with the last change to 105 The Ticket. I spent 11 years there! Three different owners, three different formats! I was lucky enough to land on my feet by scoring the Promotions Director position at KTWN shortly after my release from the 105's. With the transition to Go 96.3 I moved into the Brand Manager position.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
While attending the University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire I worked as a DJ at a college bar/dance club. Classy hardly begins to define it. It was fun though! We did a lot of promotion with the local Top 40 station. I became friends with the jock that came to the bar for the remotes. He eventually invited me to the station to start helping voice the bar's spots, and a couple guest appearances on his show. That's all it took. I was hooked.
2. What do you love most about your job as brand manager?
Right now what I love the most is that I get to help build this station from the ground up. From the very beginning I was lucky enough to be involved the conversation. Where do we want to go musically? What's the vision? What should the logo look like? Seeing it come to life has been so much fun. I get to be a part of the music, work with the hosts, plan promotions, and strategize with sales...no two days are the same. There is a ton of energy in the building. Everybody is so pumped up about the format. It's just a lot of fun being a part of it.
3. What's it like being owned by the Pohlad family, also the owners of the Minnesota Twins?
It is amazing! I'm not just saying that with the hopes that they read this either. The experience I've had working here has been extraordinary. They take VERY good care of their employees. The culture in this building is what you dream of when looking for a gig. I could not be happier.
4. What's the story behind Go 96.3 brand and slogan, Where Modern Music Is Going?"
It really stems from the word "Modern." As we began discussing moving into this world we spent a lot of time with the word "alternative". We all agreed that "alternative" can be too narrow. We wanted to be different; we wanted a word that meant something more. We landed on "Modern"..."Modern Music." The slogan, "Where Modern Music Is Going", came from a couple different ideas. One being the pop/alt sound that has been growing, and the fact that we are embracing it. Another being where we want to take it...with a very dynamic set of resources...local hosts, curating their shows, a very modern and amazing website, and Go TV. Of course the fact the word "Go" is in the slogan had something to do with it too.
5. Tell us about the station's recent launch of Go TV.
It has been quite a project. I can't take any credit on this one...we had several people in the building working day and night to get this thing launched. It turned out amazing. It really makes us stand out. We want to be different...and this is a big part of that. The hosts are having a lot of fun with it too. I think we all forgot how much we loved watching music videos. Response has been great as well. We had over 60,000 impressions in the first month.
6. What else makes Go 96.3 unique?
I think we have put together a pretty unique air staff. They all have quite a bit of experience, coming from a unique set of backgrounds. The way I am asking them to execute is also a little different. Really want them to own their shows. Curate, be creative, move sideways, and throw me curveballs. Challenging them to sound different than anybody up and down the dial while they are on. They are not only providing content on-air, but on-line as well. We want that content to help build our digital assets. Those digital assets are also very unique. I think our website is very impressive, unlike any others out there. Plus, Go TV is pretty cool.
7. You recently added Miles Anzaldo to your air staff and programming department. Could you give us a little insight on everyone on the Go 96.3 on-air staff?
Barb Abney is on 8a-12p. She has built a strong following in the Twin Cities by consistently connecting with them on-air. She's pretty much the city's sweetheart. Very involved with the local music scene as well. Extremely connected to the city. She's a blast to work with. Brian "BT" Turner is on 12p-1p. He brings a vast amount of Twin Cities radio experience to the table. BT is more involved in the community than any other jock I have ever worked with. He literally knows everybody. His work with local community organizations and charities is unmatched. He donates a lot of his time to these organizations. He brings all of that to his show and does a great job connecting with listeners. Jason Nagel is on 1p-4p. He has also been on the air in the market for many years. Jason is our local music guru. Very involved in the local scene, which is amazing by the way. Does a great job of connecting the artists and the station. Linnea & Thorn are on 4p-8p. Thorn has been working in the market for quite some time as well. His knowledge of the format is vast. Plus, he goes to more shows than anybody I know. Any questions about local venues go to Thorn. Linnea is a part of the local music scene. Her band Rogue Valley can be seen all over town every week...along with dates in Chicago and around the Midwest. She brings that perspective to the show, something kind of different. Miles of course recently joined us...coming from LIVE 105 in San Francisco. Not sure how we convinced him to move to Minnesota, but glad it happened. He's got a great sound and brings a different style to the station. His experience in the format is solid and you hear it.
8. What do you like best about living in the Twin Cities?
Wow...so much. I love living in a smaller town, but being so close to the city. I get the best of both worlds. The local music scene here is awesome. I find new favorites monthly. I actually do like the changing of the seasons. Winter can get brutal, but you get used to it.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Fruity Pebbles
10. What would surprise people most about you?
Probably that I have spent my entire career in Minneapolis. Pretty rare.
Bonus Questions
How are you prepping for your first baby?
Ha! Trying to wrap my head around the fact that I will be responsible for another human being. If you know me better you would know how scary that is.
What are your hobbies?
In the warmer months golf and going up north (bonus points if you know what "up north" means). When we are freezing are butts off I like a good movie ort book at home, but will also adventure out for some ice fishing.
Last non-industry job?
Waiter...everybody should be forced to do this job at least once in their life.
First record ever purchased?
Guns N' Roses...Appetite For Destruction
First concert?
Guns N' Roses/Metallica...hell yeah! I was 14, 10th row floor at the Metrodome.
Favorite band of all-time?
Pink Floyd
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