10 Questions with ... Capone

NAME:Capone POSITION:APD/MD/Middays COMPANY:Clear Channel STATION:WHRL 103.1 BORN:Sacramento, CA RAISED:Sacramento, CA

LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:

Tax Collector for the State Of California. I also bartended a little while donating my time to radio.

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS

Started as an intern for Kidd Chris in Sacramento; two years at KWOD in Sac (Morning Show Stunt Bitch/Sidekick/Co-Host/Promotions/Fill-In/Whatever Else); about four months doing AC KUIC/Vacaville, CA; one glorious, drunken year doing nights for Mr. Bob O'Dell at WIXV in Savannah, GA; now I'm bracing for the Upstate New York winter here at Channel.

FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:

The first one I actually paid money for was INXS' "Kick." Although before that I got my hands on other records in less legal ways...various Dead Kennedys, Bad Religion, and Clash stuff.

FIRST CONCERT:

Def Leppard on the Hysteria tour (screw you, I was 9!)

FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:

It's a toss-up between The Ramones, Incubus and that one band with the singer from Aberdeen, WA.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I was always that kid in school who everyone asked about music and always just sort of remembered things about all kinds of music. I never even thought about getting paid to play it/talk about it/just simply be around it until I was like 21! The worst day in radio was, is, and always will be better than the best day in any other profession.

2. What led you to WHRL?

The best Rock PD in the business, Bob O' Dell at I-95 in Savannah told me that if I gave him a year, the sky was the limit - that year was up right about the time Lisa Biello (a similarly fantastic Alternative PD) was looking for a Music Director at Channel. Timing rules.

3. What part of your job do you like best?

I get paid to be me. Or at least a reasonable facsimile thereof.

4. What is your biggest challenge?

Right now it's getting all my stuff from Savannah to downtown Albany. Professionally, it's remembering not to take on TOO much at once - it's easy to get caught up in a hundred different things all at one time. That has tends to decrease the quality of everything you do.

5. What would surprise people most about the station?

Every single person on the Channel staff genuinely cares about what we do and gives 100% every single day. Especially at the bar.

6. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

Telling my girlfriend that I love her. And TiVo. It's like goddamn heroin.

7. Besides WHRL, what is your favorite station and why?

My hometown KWOD will always have a spot in my heart, even though they're moving in a little different direction now. I'm also a huge fan of Live 105 in S.F. Aaron and Sean know EXACTLY what they're doing and the station is like a soundtrack for the city. Watch out for Kevin Stapleford, Marco, and Kallao at 91X, too - that's one hell of a brain trust and San Diegans should be stoked about the future of their airwaves.

8. Biggest career highlight?

Jumping from Nights in Market #160 to #63 - it also does not suck to be on AllAccess 10 Questions a month later!

9. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

If you pay attention, you learn things that are useful later. And free CDs are good.

10. If you decided to completely change careers today, what would you do?

Move somewhere sunny with a lot of beaches and become a career student. Seriously, the real world is stupid.

What are your hobbies?

I'm a big gym rat and a sports junkie. I also like spending time with my beautiful girlfriend - we could be standing in line at the DMV and we'd still have fun. She's my best friend and the only non-radio person I know who tolerates my high GEEK level.