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10 Questions with ... Andy Hawk
November 29, 2016
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I moved to San Diego for college and fell in love with radio there, getting my start at 91x and eventually at The Edge in Phoenix. After eight years away from Sacramento I was offered a Music Director job in my hometown and have been here ever since, including 10 years now at Entercom/Sacramento.
1. After 10 years working in several different roles at Entercom/Sacramento, what excited you most about shifting back to the Alternative side to become APD of KKDO?
There is nothing like this format. It's where listeners come to feel, where they come for identity. Alternative when done correctly is very cool. This music has passion and has the power to really connect with people. It makes it very easy to come to work excited every day.
2. What do you love about working at Entercom?
Maybe not the answer you might be expecting me to say, but it's certainly the most professional place I have ever worked. We have crazy strong brands in this building. Have you ever worked somewhere were you feel like you're the only one qualified? This place is the exact opposite. Everyone has earned their spots and carry passion with them every day. That feeling really rubs off on you just working here.
3. What is it like working for Jim Fox?
Jim is the most cerebral person I've ever worked with. In everything we do we ask the questions: why are we doing this and who are we trying to reach? I say "we" because Jim has really created a very collaborative environment. No one on our team is left in the dark on why we do what we do.
4. What is your favorite part of your job?
I still believe in the magic of radio. I love seeing someone's face light up when they turn up their favorite song. I love seeing smiles on people's faces after a show or when they get to meet their favorite band. Radio does that!
5. What has been your biggest takeaway from working at other stations in the cluster?
My story is a long one, but I would not change a moment. Working on AM shows with different people and different strategies has made me so much more experienced and prepared for the job I'm doing today.
6. What is the most challenging part of the job?
Well, I host the Local Licks show on KRXQ and I sometimes have to tell people I like that their work is not good enough. That never gets easy.
7. What are music meetings like at the station?
While we often debate and make tough decisions, we always say that the KKDO music meeting is the most fun meeting of the week. We listen to tons of music. Many in the industry know that we add records (often hits) that others never get to. By doing things differently it also makes these meetings the most important thing we do all week.
8. What is a typical workday like for you?
I don't know what typical means.
9. What has been the one truth that remains constant throughout your radio career?
Be dependable.
10. What may surprise people most about you?
That my kids are so good looking!
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you?
Well I host a lot of shows and put on events in Sacramento, so when I'm not doing that my wife and I are always trying to surprise our 5 year old twin daughters with some sort of new experience. I'm sure this could be best described as us re-living our childhoods.
What music do you enjoy listening to away from work?
My punk rock collection is pretty ridiculous but I spend a lot of time listening to really chill and mellow music with my kids. Yeah, I know way too many Disney lyrics. Can I be punk rock and Disney at the same time?
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