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10 Questions with ... Kat Corbett
March 21, 2006
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NAME:Kat CorbettTITLE:MiddaysSTATION:KROQMARKET:Los Angeles (#2)COMPANY:InfinityBORN:BostonRAISED:Boston
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
A temp
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I began with radio shows at three different colleges while serving a very longterm internship at WFNX. After a few years, I got a shot at doing a weekend overnight shift at WFNX. I worked my way up to parttime weekend days and stayed until 1997. I quit my job and drove out to Los Angeles with nothing -- no money, no job, no plan. After temping hell, I got hired part time at Y107, which turned into a morning show gig. A year passed and I contacted Kevin Weatherly at KROQ. He hired me in 1999 as a weekend parttimer. Last year, I took over middays.
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Sex Pistols - Nevermind The Bollocks
FIRST CONCERT:
Ozzy Osbourne at the Worcester Centrum
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
There is no way I could pick just one band. You would have to break it down to genre, then decade etc. but some of my favorites who have stood the test of time are The Pixies, Radiohead, The Clash, The Who, The Replacements, and Elvis (both).
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I think I watched one too many episodes of WKRP. Music was always big in my house and it seemed like a good way to see shows and meet my heroes.
2. How did you get hired at KROQ?
I busted my ass. I worked every holiday, every weekend, and every shift that came my way. I went three years straight without a day off and I worked for nothing for many years. I took voice classes to wipe out my Boston accent. I kept my college radio show for a year while simultaneously doing WFNX so I could get more airtime and practice. After Y107 and many months of leaving messages I hustled my way into an audition at KROQ. I guess I did ok. I think Weatherly hired me to get me off his back.
3. Who are your mentors?
There have been many great people who have served as my guides from Kevin Weatherly on down. In the beginning, there were three who took me in and really showed me the way. Tai Irwin, Kurt St. Thomas, and Troy Smith all from WFNX. From on-air to production they let me get my hands dirty and also kicked my ass when it needed kicking.
4. What part of your job do you like best? Least?
Best: Turning people on to new music/bands.
Least: Playing songs I do not like.
5. Biggest challenge each day on air?
Playing songs I do not like.
6. What makes you happy at the end of your show each day?
It varies. The feeling that I was "on" makes me feel good. Playing songs that excite me gives me a rush. I feel like I've done my job when I get email from listeners asking about bands I've played or things I've talked about.
7. Besides being on-air middays, how else do you contribute to KROQ?
Everyday I write and produce the daily Music News. I sit in on the weekly music meetings. Three to four nights per week, I am at national or local shows - keeping my ears open for things that might be good for us. I am also putting together a new specialty show, which I will host - details will be revealed soon.
8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ________?
Coffee.
9. Besides KROQ, what is your favorite radio station and why?
There are many fantastic stations out there with talented staffs of people who really care about music. But honestly, I don't listen to the radio. If I were a chef, the last thing I'd want to do is to go home and make dinner. I have my hands full listening to new CDs everyday. Listening to more radio would just cause burn out.
10. Biggest career highlight?
There have been so many. How do you compare meeting U2 with meeting The Pixies? Drinks with Jeff Buckley? Having the best goddamn interview with Wayne Coyne? Maybe, just the fact that I still have a gig. That's a highlight.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies include writing, photography, painting, and playing bad guitar. I am currently in pre-production in a new film.
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