10 Questions with ... Vince Richards

NAME:Vince Richards TITLE:Director Of FM Programming STATIONS:KTBZ, KKRW, KODA, KHMX, KLOL MARKET:Houston, TX (#6) COMPANY:Clear Channel BORN:My mom said I was, but I don't remember. RAISED:St Louis, MO

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

There is nothing brief about it...why bore everyone.

LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:

Slacker. But that was a long, long time ago.

1. Why has KTBZ been a successful Alternative station?

In a nutshell, it's well branded with great people working together for one common goal. The staff works, parties together, and genuinely care about each other. Anyone can play music, its' the people that make the difference and we have a great staff. One team, one goal.

2. What are you most proud of from the Winter '07 Book?

Being ranked in the top 3 18-34 in all major dayparts while coming in #5 25-54. That and we all survived a cold winter down here in Houston. I think it got down to like 50 degrees a few times. I almost froze my ass off.

3. How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?

Clear Channel dominates in ratings and revenue. What else matters?

4. What would an outsider find most surprising about the Houston market?

The people here in Houston are really friendly and it's a great place to live. Your dollar here goes a long way considering we are a top 10 market, that and its really not that hot and humid down here.

5. What makes KTBZ unique?

The people, the plan, and the company. Did I mention the people?

6. In what ways has The Buzz changed in the past year?

A lot. We are always evolving as a station. It's what makes good stations great.

7. What are your goals for the station in 2007?

To succeed in whatever ratings measurement we are adopting.

8. Could you rundown The Buzz on-air line-up with a little insight of each jock?

I love them all like they are my children!

Mornings: Rod Ryan Morning Show. It's the third time Rod Ryan has worked with me (fool) -- Buffalo, New Orleans and now Houston. I remember him when he had hair, but he has lost it now having worked with me for a third time. Theresa, I knew in Kansas City and brought her down to do middays. She has evolved into an awesome morning co-host. She doesn't like me though. Mark Wiggins, I found him on the side of the road. He was homeless and I took him in like a stray puppy. Jessica DeHarde worked with Rod in New Orleans. Other than that she doesn't talk to me much. She doesn't like me either.

Middays: Chris Rice. He was in Reno. Saved him from all the strip joints and prostitution in Nevada. Oh wait; this is Houston, never mind.

Afternoons: Don Jantzen. I hired him in KC and had to wait three years before I could bring him down here and torture him like I did in KC. He is also a fool for working with me more than once. Don has lost 120 lbs and is half the size he was when we hired him here in Houston. I asked if we could cut his pay in half since he's half what he used to be but Human resources said no. Just trying to keep the budgets in check.

Nights: Zakk United. Talented kid, but is covered in tattoos. He scares me.

9. Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?

My computer skills. I'm still skeptical about this whole Internet thing.

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

I have always been a straight shooter. I treat people the way I would want to be treated. Anyone who has worked with me will tell you, I don't BS people. If you ask me a question, you'll get an honest answer.

What would surprise people most about you?

I am incredibly accessible. If you call me, I pick up my phone. If not, I call you back. E-mail me and I will reply back. Even though I have five stations, I try to make myself available. I love picking up the phone and not recognizing the phone number. It's like Russian roulette, phone style.