10 Questions with ... Jay Kruz

NAME:Jay Kruz TITLE:PD STATION:WSWD MARKET:Cincinnati COMPANY:Bonneville International BORN:Detroit RAISED:Detroit

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

WTWR/Toledo; WDRQ/Detroit; VH1 Satellite Radio on XM; MTV/VH1/CMT Radio Networks; X107.1/Cayman Islands, BWI; HOT 104.1/Cayman Islands, BWI; WSWD/Cincinnati. Also voiced and/or imaged stations like KCHZ/Kansas City, WAYG/Grand Rapids, KWOF/Cedar Rapids, IA, KDUV/Stockton, CA, and WZAT/Savannah.

LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:

Telemarketer & Best Buy Mobile Audio Sales Associate, but I'm most proud of my time spent as a golf ball picker upper at the driving range.

FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:

The McDonalds all beef patty, special sauce, lettuce... song. I think it came free with a Big Mac meal.

FIRST CONCERT:

Huey Lewis

FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:

Difficult to pick one - Reel Big Fish, Sublime, Jack Johnson, and John Mayer are all up there though.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

My school district had a 200 watt FM flamethrower which opened the door to learn almost every aspect of radio. Alex Tear, (now PD WKST/Pittsburgh) was giving a speech at a broadcasting conference and Bill Keith, the school's station advisor, encouraged me to give Alex my tape and resume. Alex and I kept in touch (I sent him every sweeper I created) and he, along with Nick Craig at WKQI/Detroit helped me land my first gig with Terri McCormick at WTWR/Toledo. (Did that meet the AllAccess call letter/name drop quota?)

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

My mom used to listen to WNIC/Detroit all the time. I knew all the characters on Jim Harper and the Breakfast Club and can still sing the jingle. 89X told me what to order from Columbia House.

3. What led you from the Cayman Islands to Cincy?

I wanted to grow in my career with another great company and be closer to my family, so I was very interested in this opportunity. When I quickly learned about the strong community focus that Bonneville has, I was impressed. After meeting with the senior management team, I knew I wanted to be here.

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

Hmmm... I'm Catholic and attend services. I don't know why, but people seem to find it surprising.

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

Best: I've only been in Cincinnati about a month now, but thus far, having a full staff on-air and great behind the scenes support is great.

Least: My telephone. It's not that I don't like you; I'm just not so good on the voicemail front. Send an email, please!

6. What makes The Sound unique?

Our music is difficult to put into one category -- alternative mixed with some active rock, a dash of AAA with a hint of Hot AC. We give back to the community. (Take a look at the latest Earth Day event which concluded with a $1,000 donation from Bonneville to the Cincinnati Park Board - CLICK HERE) We don't play cheesy games or have wheels of any sort. We have REAL personalities who relate to the audience while keeping the music priority number one. Our imaging magic is made with the pen, not in the production studio. We try to be an intelligent station without being elitist.

7. Who are some of your favorite jocks?

I think Ryan Seacrest is a great jock, truly an excellent communicator with a great conversational delivery. Mojo in the Morning in Detroit, Scott Herrold at SOS Radio Network in Vegas, and Merrick & Rosso at NOVA in Australia are all very talented.

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

A stop at Skyline or Gold Star Chili... I haven't made up my mind which one I'll be brand loyal to yet.

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

Try to be nice to everyone... it pays off in the end.

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

Real Estate.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy photography and prior to heading back to the U.S. snorkeling. Unfortunately, can't do much of that in the Ohio River, so we'll trade snorkeling in for golf.