10 Questions with ... Nicole Alvarez

NAME:Nicole Alvarez TITLE:Nights STATION:KROQ MARKET:Los Angeles (#2) COMPANY:CBS Radio BORN:Miami, FL RAISED:By Psychotics

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I spent the earlier part of my career in Jacksonville at WPLA and then moved back home to Miami and did nights at WZTA. Soon after, I was hell bent and LA bound. I do 7pm-10pm on The World Famous KROQ now and someone will have to pry my cold dead hands from the microphone here before I ever want to go anywhere else.

LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:

I do believe I had some, but, at present time none come to mind.

FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:

Motley Crue 'Shout at the Devil'

FIRST CONCERT:

Motley Crue's Theater of Pain...with my MOTHER!

FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:

Pearl Jam AND Nine Inch Nails. By far, the two most healthy and long-term relationships I've ever had.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

Back in the day, when Gregg Steele ran Zeta in Miami, I would listen to the station as a little girl and everything sounded so epic that I became fascinated with the life that was happening inside my radio. I grew up listening to Kimba on Zeta and knew I had a home in radio. Plus, radio was my ticket to Pearl Jam.

2. How did you get the night gig at KROQ?

I ask myself that everyday, so if you should come across the answer to that, hook a sister up! Actually, I had a program director that believed women had no place in radio. Then, Kevin Weatherly came along and believed that I had a place at KROQ.

3. What makes your show unique?

How many schizophrenics do you know that have access to expensive equipment and a microphone?

4. What is your show prep routine?

I wake up and live a little. Sure I keep up with all the happenings in the world of music and I interact with my callers enough to stay on point, but really, there's no better show prep than life. Know your world, observe human behavior, and become a bit more interested in the psychology of life. Then, you bring it to the table.

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

With a job like this, what's NOT to like? However, I have to say that it's the live shows that take my breath away. Whenever we have Weenie Roast, Inland Invasion or The KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas, I always have these moments in between where I stand there in awe of my surroundings and the fact that I get to be part of something so massive that means so much to so many people.

Least? When my shift is over. When the concert's over.

6. What do you find most amusing about your audience? Most annoying?

Their attention span.

Most annoying? Their attention span.

7. Who in radio are your influences, your mentors, the people to whom you listen?

As far as mentors, I couldn't possibly be any luckier than I am. To work with the likes of Gene Sandbloom, Lisa Worden, and Amy Stevens on a day-to-day basis is inspiring on many levels. They help make KROQ the type of place that "keeps you on your toes." The level of commitment that they exemplify is what drives me to raise the bar as high as it can go. Rick Schmidt is also someone who I hold in the high regard. He is the man responsible for pushing me towards my career and has stood by me ever since. Last but not least, Kevin Weatherly. Kevin has done more to shape my life than even he is aware of. He challenges me to top myself constantly and does it with the kind of motivational force that eliminates any self-doubt I may have. Kevin Weatherly is a bad ass and when I grow up, I want to be just like him.

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

offending someone...and a Sunkist.

9. What are you most passionate about?

Music, without a doubt. I am a tremendous geek when it comes to music. It's what I love most, what I know best, what I relate to most easily and what makes most sense to me in this world. Oh, I also have this somewhat passionate thing for Kiefer Sutherland. Kiefer, call me.

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

I would be lying by providing an answer just to have one. The truth is I never imagined a life other than the one I have. So, having a plan B was never an option. Failure was never in the cards.

What are your hobbies?

Mastering the fine art of conversation.