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10 Questions with ... Larry Mac
April 18, 2006
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NAME:Larry MacTITLE:APD/MD/MiddaysSTATION:KVGS - Area 108MARKET:Las Vegas, NV (#32)COMPANY:Riviera Broadcast GroupBORN:Cleveland, OhioRAISED:Phoenix, Arizona
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Owned a Mobile DJ Company and deejay'd nightclubs.
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
My entire radio career has been in Phoenix. Started in College Radio at Arizona State University in 1983. Then moved to KASA (the Home of Country Gospel) in 1985 and interned at KSTM. Started my radio career at KSLX overnights/weekends, moved to KUPD in 1987 under PD Curtiss Johnson, then KZRX (Z-Rock) as APD/MD in 1993, a year later to do the same at KUKQ under PD Jonathan L. I became PD when Jonathan L moved on to LA. Also did weekends at sister station KUPD under PD JJ Jeffries.
Then Promotion Director at KBUQ (Young Buck Country), and started a specialty show on sister station KEDJ (The Edge) called SKAPUNK! Left there in '97, to return to KUPD under JJ Jeffries to host their specialty shows Local98Rock, Into The Pit, and Red Radio Underground. Did various renditions of those shows as well as fill-in Air Personality or any other job that needed to be done. Left in November '05 to become APD/MD/middays here at KVGS under VP/Programming JJ Jeffries.
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Either Kiss "Alive 2" or Elvis Presley "Moody Blues" -- the day he died. Bought both records the same day
FIRST CONCERT:
In 1979, XTC opening up for The Police at The Arizona State Fair
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
Without a doubt Pink Floyd
1. How did you become interested in radio?
When I was a kid, I used to pretend I was a DJ on a tape recorder. When I was in College, I got an internship in the News Department at a big Country station in Phoenix, and started to get interested in what the deejays did.
2. After spending so many years in Phoenix, what led you to Area 108?
JJ Jeffries offered me the job. We have worked together for so many years; it was an opportunity I could not refuse. When I was PD of KUKQ, I met JJ, and then rejoined the KUPD staff as an employee of his. Always have had a blast working with him, and am glad now to have a chance to work with him, learn from him, and put together a fantastic radio station.
3. What part of your job do you like best? Least?
Best: Playing new records and breaking songs I love.
Least: Dropping records I love, cause they aren't working.4. What makes Area 108 unique?
The variety of music we play. It's a fun place to work.
5. What would surprise people most about the station?
The amount of fun we have off air, and yet how serious we are when it comes to wanting to win and put out the best radio station in Vegas.
6. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Lemme think... wait.... MUSIC!!
7. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Without a doubt, LOYALTY.
8. Besides Area 108, what is your favorite radio station and why?
My iPod cause I can program what I want without worrying about its affect on no one else but my very own eardrums. On a serious note, my two favorite stations were KUKQ and I like The Edge a lot when I visit home (Phoenix).
9. Biggest career highlight?
Too many to mention... Hanging out with Joey Ramone at Lollapolooza, and having dinner with Mick Jones of Big Audio Dynamite. Being Music Director at two radio stations voted "Best Radio Station" in the weekly Entertainment Magazine -- KUKQ in the Phoenix New Times and Area 108 in the Las Vegas Weekly. It's not ratings, but a great compliment. Well actually a big highlight has been that I have worked with fantastic people (JJ Jeffries, Curtiss Johnson, Jonathan L), who have taught me a lot. The biggest highlight is that I have become friends with people I admire and respect.
10. What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
A Journalist working for some newspaper, radio or TV station. My degree is in Broadcast Journalism.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
I love music, hiking, and when I had time in Phoenix, I boxed a bit. Great way to get exercise and aggression -- still need to connect with a coach up here.
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