10 Questions with ... Dom Nardella

NAME:Dom Nardella TITLE:PD STATION:WKRK MARKET:Cleveland COMPANY:CBS Radio BORN:January 29, 1970 RAISED:Youngstown, Ohio

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

WNCD/Youngstown to WXTM (now WKRK)/Cleveland.

LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:

Parking deck attendant

FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:

Genesis - Abacab in 1981

FIRST CONCERT:

Rush "Grace Under Pressure" tour in 1984

FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:

Rush

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I liked the mystery behind it. Some guy sitting in a room somewhere playing records -- heard but not seen!

2. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

WDVE/Pittsburgh.

3. What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?

In college I did some time in medical school.

4. What part of your job do you like best? Least?

Best: The creativity.
Least: Paperwork and budgets.

5. What led to WKRK's ratings success in the Fall '07 Book?

Rover's Morning Glory! Follow that up with great personalities in the other dayparts and no-nonsense Alternative Rock.

6. What would an outsider find most surprising about the Cleveland radio market?

The listeners here are very fickle about the music what they want to hear on the radio. We're not like any other "big city" in America. Very loyal once you have them, but don't try challenging them too much. If you're doing something they don't like, they will let you know. But if you are doing right, they're the first to give you praise.

7. What makes K-Rock unique?

We don't follow trends or charts... Just because a band or song is working in every city in America, it doesn't mean it will work here. Like I said, this is a very fickle market when it comes to music. They want the music on 92.3 K-Rock to be like meatloaf and mashed potatoes, familiar, and satisfying! If they want to try some spicy sushi, they'll hunt that down on the 'net on their own time.

8. How would you describe the music and imaging on the station?

The music is down-the-middle guitar-based Alternative Rock. While cool bands like Interpol will sell out shows when they come to town, it's the Buckcherrys and Three Days Graces of the world that the audience wants to hear on the radio. The imaging is very listener-friendly. It's not some huge voice shouting a dial position at you. We use Drew Patterson from The Point in St. Louis and he has really come through for us in getting the message across. No processing, no filters... A nice straight-forward read.

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

Reading allaccess.com! I was going to say "without a nap" but then my GM would be on to me.

10. What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?

Something in the medical field

What are your hobbies?

I bike like crazy, I'm a gadget freak, and I like to rebuild computers.