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10 Questions with ... Mel Flores
June 6, 2006
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NAME:Mel FloresTITLE:PDSTATION:KRZQMARKET:Reno, NV (#124)COMPANY:Wilks BroadcastingBORN:Reno, NVRAISED:Reno, NV
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Serving tables at Chili's
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started as an intern when I was around 16/17 years of age. I worked hard and had fun for two years, took a five-year hiatus getting my college degree, and then came back with a vengeance. All at the same station, all under the advice and direction of the "Godfather" of KRZQ -- Blaze (aka Rob Brooks). To me, KRZQ is much more than just a radio station, it's life. Everybody who has had the pleasure of working here would say the same.
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Deftones "Adrenaline," which I realize is pretty late in the game. However, my first acquired CD was via KRZQ and was "Barbie Girl" by Aqua to which inspired me to get my first CD player, and let's face it, I almost quit KRZQ then and there (just kidding).
FIRST CONCERT:
MC Hammer, yes, I said it, "I'm Too Legit To Quit" suckas
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
Super easy, Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers (hands down).
1. How did you become interested in radio?
Well, I was working my first job at a local thrift store with my best friend, when she looked at me and said, "This is getting old, let's do something cool like work at a radio station or something." So off to KRZQ we went, which was the coolest radio station in town even then. We looked at the receptionist and said, "Do you have any jobs for young kids like us?" Before we knew it we were teching remotes and being yelled at for doing everything wrong. My friend dropped out, and I just stuck with it. I just remember Blaze looking at me a few flights of stairs up and he said, "You're not quitting too are you?" My loyalty to the station was pretty much solidified right then, I replied, "absolutely not."
2. What part of your job do you like best? Least?
Getting paid to listen to music, going out to bars and clubs to socialize, seeing shows, hanging out with my best friends (i.e. my crew), and meeting new people (i.e. listeners). I like that everyday is a new day and I never know what will happen next. I like being on air. Everything that I love about my job is a collection of everything I stated above.
Least? The business and politics of it.
3. What is your biggest challenge at this station?
I plead the 5th ... How about the fact that this is my first PD gig, everything is a challenge when you're doing it all for the first time.
4. What makes your KRZQ unique?
Everything, only by virtue of how we look at things. Like I said before, KRZQ has never been a "station" the way it is used in the traditional sense. We are a family. Most people who have come through these walls have all been locals, and have all grown up together. The same for our listeners, the listeners aren't just random people; we all went to school together, or sat at a bar together. I would equate KRZQ to Cheers with a PA system, rather than a radio station you would tune into in a bigger market. In that way, we have branded ourselves and convey not just music but a lifestyle. There would be no way to manufacture what we have grown here for 14 years now.
5. What would surprise people most about the station?
I think the most surprising part about our station to people is that most everybody involved in making KRZQ what it is, are locals and grew up together.
6. How has KRZQ changed over the past year?
Man, we've been hit with a whirlwind of changes lately. I personally am the 4th PD in a two-year span. We have recently been bought by Wilks Broadcasting. The new generation of KRZQ is running things now. We are sort of the Madonna of the radio world; we always seem to change but stay on top of our game.
7. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ____________?
All right I'll say it, Myspace, F!@#! Oh, and my crew of guys, love them.
8. Besides KRZQ, what is your favorite radio station and why?
Wait, there are other radio stations? Well, I do admire Live 105 in San Francisco, and the World Famous KROQ in LA, mostly because they are true pioneers of the game and are willing to take chances. Oh, and I love KCAL Rocks in San Bernardino strictly for their morning show "The Morning Stiffy." I miss that show (tear).
9. Biggest career highlight?
It would have to be our Birthday show we had a few weeks ago. Like I've been reiterating, we are all about heritage, so, no joke, in a dream it came to me to get a few heritage local bands that have broken up back together to play for our birthday. The bands being the Mudsharks, Zoinks!, and Sucka Punch. We pulled in a good 600 people and had a blast. People kept on asking me how I did it considering the Mudsharks have been solicited for reunions for quite some time now and have refused? To that I said, hey it helps when you're cute as a button. It was a success, I saw people I haven't seen since high school, and I skanked until the wee hours of the morning, which I seriously haven't done since I was 16. People are still talking about it around town, and all the bands conveyed sincere appreciation for asking them to do the show.
10. What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
Well, probably doing my part for the greater good of humanity. I was in a masters program for marriage and family therapy and doing rape crisis counseling in Southern California before I decided to come back home and take up radio again.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Wait, people have hobbies in radio? I suppose a few things I've done consistently throughout my life are read biographies of rock stars, write, spoil my dog, and watch bad television. And despite what other PD's at other radio stations might say (i.e. Mat Diablo), I do not slut around for a hobby.
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