10 Questions with ... Rod Ryan

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• Afternoon Drive for startup WEDG/Buffalo in '95
• Afternoon Drive APD/MD for startup KKND/New Orleans from '96-'99
• PD WQBK/WQBJ and start up WHRL/Albany in '99
• Morning Host KKND from 2000-2004
• Morning Show KTBZ/Houston from 2004-Present.

1. Give us the 411 on The Rod Ryan Show.

I can't believe I have been doing this for 18 years. I still LOVE doing it; still HATE getting up in the morning. I am obsessed with keeping the show current. It has never fallen into the trappings of the same benchmark bit played over and over. I'm no Bono but do use the platform to do charity work in the community. The Rod Ryan Show Cares Foundation is a 501 (c ) (3) that has raised well over 2 million dollars for local charities.

2. You've had several different co-hosts over the past 14 years. How has the show evolved and tell us about your current AM cast of Dinah, Alex, and Phyllis?

Ha. "On Paper" it looks like I have had a lot of co-hosts but over time, it's not so bad... or is it? Being on the air every morning is exactly like being in a relationship. They run their course over time. The 3rd and 4th position on the show are the same. I have only had to technically fire 3 people in 18 years so that's not too bad. The current lineup is pretty amazing. Dinah is the co-host, Alex handles sports, and has technical producing duties, and Phyllis is the one overseeing and getting up things online.

3. I remember when you first started doing mornings you told me you stood for the entire show. How would you describe your on-air style?

Still stand. My sister turns bolts on engines at GM for 9 hours a day on her feet, both parents and all my family work or worked in factories in Buffalo. I'm no Hero for my 4 hours! Ha It adds to the energy of the show. You breathe better, your looser. WE keep it fast paced for sure. I run the board and host, so sitting wouldn't even make sense. All these hosts sitting look weird to me.

4. What is your show prep routine?

I wake up at 3:20am, watch a little local news, and listen to national news on 20 minute drive in. Desk at 4:30am. The news on and I start prepping. I send everything to Phyllis in the morning that will go up on that days show blog. I have killed entire forests over the years... still PRINT everything out. I'm a FIEND for highlighters, post it notes, colored pens you get it. Everyone else walks in with just their headphones, and smart phones. I walk in with stacks of marked up papers, folders, old prep I didn't use! I also use a ton of stuff that listeners send me. They LOVE to hear that what they found interesting, I did too, and used it on the air. Always giving them credit!

5. Share with us the benchmarks of your morning show and your favorite part of the show and why?

We certainly have a clock like everyone. "Wreck Checks" are our Traffic. News is the "Skinny" before the top of the hour with Sports. We do a few things daily, mostly in the 6am hour: "Fresh Outta Bed Head To Head Challenge" each morning at 6:25; "Fun Facts of the Day" at 6:35; and Rock Out with Your Stock Out at 6:40. The rest of the show is talk on what is happening that day. We do play a game "Read My Lips" every Thursday ripped off from Jimmy Fallon's Whisper game that is quite popular. I have a bag of about 30 games that we sprinkle in to do ticket giveaways.

6. I know you're proud of all the money The Rod Ryan Show has helped raise for various charities. Share with us some details.

It really started after Katrina. I had only been gone from New Orleans about a year. We did a "Request-a-Thon" for 3 days. Morning Show stayed on LIVE and took requests for money. Raised $504,000 dollars (Area code for NOLA is 504). Yes, I stood the entire time. Went on-air at 6am on a Wednesday, and stayed on till noon on Friday! That was when I was bit by the bug to help others. We have sold thousands of "Boobs Rock" T-Shirts to raise money for MD Anderson and breast cancer research. Our "Kick Ass" shirts are for prostate cancer research (research, not awareness). I sell other branded show T-Shirts, BBQ Sauces, Hot Sauces 100% for local charities like Houston Children's Charity, Houston Furniture Bank. This year after Harvey we raised nearly $100,000 for the Relief Fund set up by our mayor. I have a couple of Golf Tournaments a year, and my new favorite fundraiser is hosting Meat Raffles. We just raised over $16,000 for the Lonestar Veterans Association on Sunday. The Rod Ryan Show Cares Foundation is a 501 (c) (3)

7. What else may surprise people to learn about The Rod Ryan Show?

Not sure, those that are here in the market or listen in iHeartRadio know so much about us. We don't just say it; we really do open up about everything. When I meet them out it like they want to tell me all they already know about me. I'm having my first kid soon and that has opened up a whole new playing field of discussions on the air.

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

There is NO SHORTCUT. I hear morning shows that have it "figured out" and do the same shit every day. Not for me. I "figured out" how to slide thru college with minimum effort; this job is NOT like that. I don't have anything figured out. I'm still trying new things. Remain passionate, and do it till you don't like doing it anymore. I can honestly say I still love what I do.

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

Buffalo like many cities back in the day had Radio Legends. Larger than life "Personalities." Danny Neaverth, Larry "Snortin" Nortin, Taylor and Moore. I did my internship at WGRF/ WUFX in Buffalo. I got to work with people I grew up listening to. "Iron" Mike Bensson, Ted Shred, Anita West, and Carl Russo were my favorites. Probably my all-time favorite jock is Kristy Knight at Canada's HTZ FM. I'd still like to meet her! I stole from them all!

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

Freaking out about what I ran out of time to do on the show that day?

What are weekends like for you?

All about to change with this baby on the way! Wife, motorcycle, dog parks, and station appearances!

What are your hobbies?

Man... no time. I own a local bar so that takes up a lot of spare time. I do try to work out 3-4 times a week. I have a couple of motorcycles I don't ride enough.

What do you miss most from being back home outside Buffalo?

The people from Buffalo are AMAZING! I call them Hammer Swingers. It's a good thing. Hard working. Not that the oil and gas workers don't work hard here. There's just something "gritty" about my Buffalo Peeps. I love em to this day. Always remember where and who you came from!

First record ever purchased?

45... Styx "Come sail Away" Album... Kiss "Love Gun" Cassette Ozzy "bark at the Moon" (Paper Route Money)

First concert?

Judas Priest Defenders of the Faith 1995 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center.

Favorite band of all-time?

Then Kiss, now Foo Fighters (Sorry but things change)