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10 Questions with ... Casey Krukowski
September 9, 2008
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NAME:Casey KrukowskiTITLE:PD/middaysSTATION:WRXLMARKET:RichmondCOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:1/31/75RAISED:Lisbon, OH (near Youngstown)
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WCER /Canton OH weekends; WDVE/WXDX/Pittsburgh Production Intern; WONE/Akron Production Director; WDYL/Richmond APD/middays; and WRXL.
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Telemarketing/record store
1. Why has WRXL been a successful Alternative station?
Elliot in the Morning has anchored the station since we flipped to Alternative in 2002. Although it's based at DC101 it's truly a regional show and Elliot does an excellent job of hitting local content and making market appearances.
2. You just had a solid Spring '08 Book. What were the highlights?
Our annual Chili Cook-Off spring show certainly helped. We were top 5 18-34 and we had a great 25-54 book too.
3. What would shock people most about WRXL?
The size of the staff is small but passionate.
4. How would you describe the music and imaging on The X?
The music is pretty much guitar-based: Seether, Three Days Grace, 3 Doors Down, Foo Fighters, Breaking Benjamin. The imaging is fairly stripped down. We use Malcolm Ryker who is awesome. He's the opposite of your big radio announcer guy or overly filtered too hip for the room alternative voice guy. His delivery is real and honest but still edgy and cool at the same time.
5. In what ways has the station changed in the past year?
We're constantly evolving musically. I'm always tweaking things but fortunately I think the station is healthy enough to not have to make wholesale changes right now. The airstaff has been intact for several years and I'm proud of that. We have a great team.
6. What part of your job do you like best? Least?
Seeing the Chili Cook-Off come to fruition each year. It's a labor of love. We put on this massive show ourselves without using any outside promoters. We handle everything from booking the bands to ticketing to marketing ourselves. Watching 15,000+ people each year have the time of their lives is the best part of this job. Since I've been here we've had Breaking Benjamin, Puddle Of Mudd, Hinder, Seether, Saliva, Fuel, Chevelle, Shinedown, Buckcherry, Hoobastank, Trapt, and Flyleaf just to name a few. It's an event that has become bigger than the radio station.
The least? Meetings and paperwork oh and trying to book bands for the Cook-Off. It's getting more difficult (and expensive) each year.
7. What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
I'm a big Bruce Springsteen fan.
8. What are you most passionate about?
Steelers football. I'm a nut job. If they're on I need to be in front of a TV or at the game. It's an obsession. Also, going to shows and checking out new music. I recently saw The Hold Steady. It's amazing these guys aren't the biggest band in the world.
9. Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
I could probably be a little more patient at times. I'm also trying to improve my website skills.
10. Favorite artist you have met?
While I'm not a huge Metallica fan, I have a new found respect for them after meeting them. I watched them work a back-stage meet n greet of about 50 people and every single one of them stopped to talk to each fan personally taking pictures, signing autographs, etc. I've seen bigger a-holes with bands that have had only one hit song.
I also enjoyed hanging with Death Cab For Cutie. Nice guys who are really passionate about what they are doing.
Bonus Questions
When you are not working or following the Steelers, what do you enjoy doing with your spare time?
Spending time with my wife Alisha and firing up the grill. I can cook a mean brat.
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