10 Questions with ... Gregr

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• 1995: KPEK - KTEG/Albuquerque part-time where Nick Malloy gave me a break as a 16 year old!
• 2000: KFMA/Tucson from PT to PM Drive and APD/MD. John Michael still cracks me up on Facebook and Marc Young taught me all of the things.
• 2008: KXTE/Las Vegas PM Drive. This was a brief four month stop... Entercom buying CBS felt pretty cool.
• 2009: KNDD/Seattle, Mike Kaplan hired me to do afternoons. If you had told me I'd be doing radio in Russia it wouldn't have been as shocking to me as ending up somewhere as awesome as Seattle. Working with Dave Richards and my dear friend Leslie Scott has been incredible. Jon Manley is also quite handsome.

1. Tell us about your morning show on 107.7 The End.

It feels about as old school as could be. I do short, segments written and produced in studio, and let the music do most of the talking. Back when I first got to KNDD, with a little character development, we identified that I could communicate all the rad nerdy stuff from the internet onto the air via a segment called Nerd Talk. I love those 2 minutes of my morning the most.

2. How would you describe your on-air style?

I remember when Garett Michaels took over and he said to me something like, "I couldn't believe this weird dude I heard on the air could possibly be real until I met you." I think that's the biggest compliment... I hope that people listening know just how much personal satisfaction I take away from doing this silly job.

3. What do you love most about being on-air?

I've always had a wild imagination and ability to string together that nonsense verbally. Being on the air and spontaneously creating The Burrito Falcon - a burrito delivering raptor - that's what it's all about for me. And alliteration.

4. What is your favorite part of the show?

I love writing content and then transition from written page to performed line where it goes from words on the screen to spoken absurdity - that's my favorite part.

5. What is it like working at 107.7 The End?

We're a small team of people who when put into the same room would never accomplish anything beyond cracking jokes and laughing. If not for self-control and a desire to eventually go home to my family, I'm certain we could record a 2 hour per day podcast.

6. Tell us about your station blog and social -media footprint.

"Boy do I hate writing" I said before our then Managing Editor and now newly promoted to some fancy title that I didn't look up in the email I just got, Branden Griffith, told me he liked my work and encouraged me to keep going and keep it in my voice. I love it now. While clearly a video of a dog trying to eat a frozen bagel is always going to win on social, the idea that our website is cranking out killer, often Seattle-centric material everyday feels good. We are relentless on social. I like to think that The End does more individual content than almost anyone else out there.

7. Podcasts a big part of what you do. Give us a description of each one: Full 90 - Extra Time, Nerd Talk, So You're In Seattle, and Our Dumb Podcast with Manley.

So, You're In Seattle is an interview show that is on hiatus currently, but I started it because I felt that interviewing was a giant gap in my abilities. After 60-something episodes talking to people who were indeed in Seattle, I can say that I would gladly interview anyone who wants to talk without hesitation.

Nerd Talk - daily podcast of my two minutes morning show segment

Our Dumb Podcast - Manley and I dedicate 2 30-minute chunks of time every week to talk about whatever we're feeling. I'm super proud of this nonsense.

Full 90 - Extra Time - I built a great relationship with the local MLS Soccer Team Seattle Sounders FC. This pod is about to kick back off into full steam in coming weeks with a new Sounders season on the horizon!

8. What is the most rewarding part of your job?

This is cliché and I don't care, I love the people. I love the struggle that we all share. I love the laughs we have together and the brilliant comments on the stories I post. I most of all loved that when my family grew by one tiny human, the outpouring of love and support took me totally by surprise. I feel as much a part of Washington as the people who are listening.

9. Who is your favorite on-air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?

Ryan Castle KISW. He's not only technically the most solid host, but his ability to deliver the sharpest of wit to those KISW listeners amazes me. I may be a nice friendly straight shooting host, but his combination of professionalism and absurdity is a gift.

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

Google Docs! All of my show prep and writing is available simultaneously on all these different machines. It's the best. Also, podcasts - I love podcasts.

How's daddy hood?

Being a dad is the single most satisfying experience of my life. It's been a wild six months, but waiting until my late thirties to have a child with the best mom of my same age means I lived a full life as an idiotic single guy and now get to share the secrets I learned with someone little.

What are weekends like for you?

Once my mom passed away I learned that I can't sit still -- life is fleeting and I want to see it all. It annoys my wife...

You list your interests as Dogs, Sounders, Dinosaurs, Giraffes, Robots, Space, and Mariners. Share how each are part of your life.

My dog would argue that she's been downgraded in the last six months. Sounders season ticket user for 8 years (I use my buddy Brian's second seat)! Dinosaurs are all over our house and my baby's everything. Giraffes -- I'm 6'6" it's a kindred spirits thing. Robots and Space: see Nerd Talk. And the Mariners are terrible every year and there's something endearing about their never ending crap.

What's the story before your nickname Gregr?

I was Greg Rampage USA for forever, but because we had a rock station in the same building as our Alt, Kaplan wouldn't let me use it "because it's too metal." Big mistake. Big. Huge. ;) Gregor is what my dad called me as a kid but it's shortened to Gregr like GregR. Mike evidently never played the arcade game Rampage.

What new music do you currently love?

Dude, my whole life right now is Caspar Babypants

Anything else you would like to add?

I have the best people around me encouraging me to be myself. In any walk of life, always do that.