10 Questions with ... Elvis

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started in radio right out of Oregon State in Reno Nevada doing AM Country in Afternoon Drive. The Business office was in Reno but the studio was in a bomb shelter out in the desert outside of Sparks, Nevada... True story. Stops in Eugene, OR; Portland OR; San Diego; Sacramento; Phoenix; and San Jose before teaming up with my partner JV who started The Dog House. We were hired in San Francisco at Wild 107 within 6 months of starting our show. After close to 11 years?of being #1 in SF we went to NYC for CBS Radio... Reunited The Dog House back in 2015 for iHeart in SF. WOW I've done all that??

1. Congrats on your return to San Francisco! You previously worked with KITS PD Michael Martin at KYLD. How did that set the stage for you to join ALT 105.3, The Bay Area's New Alternative for mornings?

Thanks, not only did I work with Michael at KYLD starting in 1994, but we actually met each other years before when I was in San Diego at Q106 and he was at KIIS FM in Los Angeles. Michael has always been the best PD I have ever worked for in the fact that he is a musical savant and hires the right people to compliment his musical vision for each station. That has never changed from day one of working with him... I hope savant is a compliment...I will Google it.

2. Give us the 411 on your morning show.

There are so many syndicated shows out there nowadays. Bay Area radio listeners can tell when a show is not a local. You need to be a show that includes them in everything you do. My show is all about the Bay Area. Having been in the market for so long, I know what the people of the Bay Area are all about... At Alt 105-3 not only is the music that Michael Martin and our APD Aaron Axelsen program spot on for the Bay Area, but our promotions, concerts, events and digital platforms are the best in the country. It's because of the way we serve our listeners here.

3. How would you describe your on-air style and how different is it from your Top 40 days?

Well I was very lucky to work in this market before with a PD like Michael as he let us be ourselves. It was edgy because that worked back then. We were given a long leash to produce compelling content every day. Keeping my current show always moving forward with topical and LOCAL content with this great music is a winning combination.

4. What has been your biggest challenge moving to the Alternative format?

No challenge whatsoever in my mind. It has been my favorite genre since growing up in San Diego and being there when 91X launched. I was a huge fan of groups like The Ramones, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, The Clash and so many more like that. When 91X was launched, I was then exposed to groups like Depeche Mode, Joy Division, New Order, The Cure, The Psychedelic Furs, etc... I was blown away... Still edgy music with melody. Then of course the format completely changed with bands like Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden... It's been my favorite genre for quite some time.

5. What is your show prep routine?

After each show I look at what worked...see how I can tweak the other....I take daily copious amount of notes... In my mind ALT 105-3 is the station that produces the best concert experiences for our listeners and the entire Bay Area. Not only the biggest names in music, but also the smaller venues where our APD Aaron Axelsen has been a leader in the indie scene for over 20 years. In addition to making sure I produce local, topical content daily, I make sure I am plugged into everything going on in the Bay Area music scene... Our team here is second to none with our live shows and events.

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

I have always loved the connection with the listeners. When someone comes up to you that you have never met and they tell what they love about your show...to me that is AWESOME...

7. What is the one truth that has remained constant through your career?

That I am the same person on and off the air... Whether in a studio, or in a group of people, I will put a smile your face.

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

WOW, that's a tough one... I'm a big fan of sports talk. I really like Dan Patrick. I have since he and Keith Olberman were together on Sportcenter. His dry sense of humor is second to none in my opinion.

9. What would surprise people most about you?

That I'm a total softie and make the best Carnitas on the planet... my humble opinion of course

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

Coming home to my Italian Greyhound Bugsy.

How did you get the nick-name Elvis?

When I got hired by Kevin Weatherly and Gary Wall in 1990 at Q106 San Diego I was given the choice of Elvis Medina or Paco Lopez... True Story....shortened to just Elvis in 1993 when I joined The Dog House.

What are weekends like for you?

Love to cook, big fan of live theater and comedy and of course the SF Music Scene.

What are your hobbies?

I used to golf....A LOT and have been getting back into it. Hiking around the Bay Area... I collect Japanese electric guitars from the '70s and '80s...they are works of art to me.

First record ever purchased?

First Boston album

First concert?

Black Sabbath and Van Halen at San Diego Sports Arena

Favorite band of all-time?

My Top 5 are:

1. Nirvana
2. The Ramones
3. Green Day
4. The Clash
5. Foo Fighters

Anything else you would like to add?

Can I go to the bathroom now?