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10 Questions with ... Axel Lowe
November 21, 2006
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NAME:Axel LoweTITLE:AfternoonsSTATION:WNNXMARKET:Atlanta (#10)COMPANY:CumulusBORN:In 1968RAISED:Chicago suburb Naperville
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Moved to Atlanta in 1990, finished school, interned at Power 99. When Power flipped to 99X in 1992 and I wound up on the air. I've been doing afternoon drive for the past eight years with a brief Morning interim stint for seven months of 06'.
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Built decks spring-fall, tile in winter.
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Kiss Dynasty, I didn't know who they were, I was only nine, and I just loved the cover.
FIRST CONCERT:
Motley Crue, Saxon & Heavy Pettin' Friday, May 11th 1994, Aragon Ballroom, Chicago.
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
Motley Crue, the first band I was ever passionate about.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I was doing construction in Chicago in 1989, so I always had a radio nearby. The Loop had Jonathan Brandmeier in the morning, Kevin Matthews in middays, and Steve and Gary for afternoon drive. I listened to that station for 10 hours a day religiously! Man, if I would have gotten a book back in the day. Actually, I don't think their numbers could have been any bigger! Besides FM talk, I wasn't into radio, stations never played the stuff I liked so I played tapes every where I drove. In college I majored in Music Business Management and started interning at Arista Records, the Marketing job wasn't open when I graduated so my boss referred me to Power 99. Two months later Power switched to 99X, they cut three-quarters of the airstaff and I fell into radio.
2. Who are your mentors?
Rick Stacey the old PD gave me my first crack; I actually tried to talk myself out of the job telling him that I was just over in radio temporarily until my Arista job opened. He asked me which sound better, working 10 hours a day and making nothing or working 4 hours a day and making nothing, that's an easy decision, who wants to get a real job and make money? Leslie Fram & Sean Demery were also mentors from the beginning and Brian Philips really made me understand how to do a great show on the radio.
3. What do you like best about working at 99X?
I love the music! "Everything Zen" by Bush gets turned down a little bit since I'm into my 40,000 time hearing it over the last 10 years but, Coldplay, A.F.I., Keane, H.I.M., Arctic Monkeys, there's always great new songs to play. There is also this trust and freedom, I know the boundaries, they know I'm not a loose cannon and so I just walk in and do whatever I want every day, that's what I love most.
4. What has been the key to your longevity at 99X?
I don't know? It's like family at this point, even with the new owners and new faces in the building, the station has this family vibe. A lot of people started in the beginning back in '92 and they're still here. Everyone that has left finds out that the grass isn't greener than the 99X stuff, we've got good grass! I was tight with Kid Rock for a couple of years and he talked about me so highly to Carson Daly that Carson wanted to audition me for the VJ gig, I had to think about that one real hard but that job is usually 18 months of fun and then a lifetime of obscurity. I knew things were solid at 99X so I stayed and I have no regrets.
5. Of all the things you've done at 99X, what are you most proud of?
I am the owner of a Krystal, that's the souther version of White Castle, endorser of the year mo-fo; I can sell some damn burgers for sure!
6. How do you prepare for your show each day?
I'm always watching TV, reading magazines and seeing shows so my lifestyle is prep.
7. What is your goal each day on-air?
I really do try to do my best show ever; I'm a personal challenge type of person.
8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ________?
Oxygen?
9. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Every year I notice the headphone volume increases a hair. I'm at 3 o'clock on the knob, how do people enunciate when they can't hear themselves?
10. What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I would still be doing construction in Chicago listening to Johnny B in the morning, Steve Dahl in the afternoon, and wondering why the hell Kevin Matthews is on the air in Grand Rapids instead of Chicago. WTF Chicago?
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
I'm a fan of the cold beer bottle.
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