10 Questions with ... Ron Kissell

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I caught the "Radio Bug" while at Curry College in Milton, MA and worked all four years at WMLN. I had an internship at WBMX in the promotions department. My internship turned into a part-time job and I was there for four years. I moved to Myrtle Beach and started tracking weekends on WKZQ. I moved up to nights and then I was promoted to Music Director in 2015 and in October of 2016 I became the Program Director.

1. It's been a CRASH course in the programming department for you over the past couple years. After many years in nights, in 2015 you were upped to MD and in 2016 you became PD. What has the learning curve been like for you?

Well the hardest part of the transition from MD to PD for me is remembering that I'm the boss. I'm always thinking that I have to run my ideas by someone else, when in most cases I have the last say.

2. How has KZQ changed since being acquired by Alpha Media?

Alpha Media has been amazing to work for. They have tons of resources to work with. They have helped me find a midday voice tracker, DJ Mighty Iris, who has been a great addition to the station. It helps that our upper management is very approachable.

3. What is your favorite part of your job?

Everything..... This is my first job that doesn't feel like a job! It seems cliché but it's true.

4. How would you describe yourself as a programmer?

I like to take chances with songs I have a gut feeling about.

5. What is your new music discovery process and how do you prioritize all the new music?

I'm always looking for the next big record. Of course I listen to the music in "Cool New Music" but also I make playlists of new songs and listen to them in the car trying to see what they would sound like on KZQ.

6. Tell us about your new reggae show that debuts in February and other specialty shows on the station?

Myrtle Beach and the surrounding towns are coastal communities. It's just fitting that I start a Reggae show. It will air Sunday nights featuring classic artists such as Steel Pulse and Bob Marley and also new artists like Pepper and Slightly Stoopid. I also have a Punk show in the works. We have a New Music feature that airs weeknights that plays 3 songs from up in coming artists.

7. What else makes the station unique?

KZQ is known as the only station in town that plays Alternative Music from new and even "Classic" Artists like Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam. So our listeners know what they'll get when they turn on the station.

8. What is the most challenging part of the job?

Not having enough room to add all the songs I want to play right away. I'm learning to be patient and I'll add them when the time is right.

9. What is a typical day like for you?

Facebooking, scheduling, updating our website, listening to music -- the typical radio stuff.

10. What may surprise people to learn about you?

I was peed on by a lion. I'm his B*tch now!

What music do you enjoy listening to when you're not working?

I'm a Mobile/Club DJ on the side so I listen to everything. Top 40, Hip Hop, Reggae (hence the new show).

Let's hear a little bit about Crash on the weekends. What are weekends like for you and tell us about family time with your wife and son?

I'm a family man, my family comes first. We do everything together. From food shopping to Costco and if we have time even Bed Bath And Beyond if we're lucky!

I know you're part of Red Sox Nation and baseball season is just around the corner. What's your prediction for 2017?

World Series...obviously!

Tell us about all 14 of your tattoos.

I have very few tattoos that don't have meaning. My parents didn't want me to get my first one until I told them it was in memory of my grandmother. They kind of had no choice after they heard that.