10 Questions with ... Douglas Holzmeier 'Doug Daniels'

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Also at AC KRFN Fun 101 & Country 95.1 The Wolf

• OM/PD at WZSR/Chicago
• OM/PD at WGFB/Rockford, IL
• PD at WVAF/Charleston, WV
• OM/PD at WKWK/Wheeling
• Air Personality at the legendary WXGT (92X)/Columbus

1. How did you become interested in radio?

Grew up listening to the legendary 1230 WCOL-AM in the 1970s. I set the record for the most "wins" on Super 'COL copping over 100 LPS (Chicago; Elton John, etc.) from 1974-1977. Firs LP I won was The Three Degrees with the "R" rated inside fold. Had it hung up in my bedroom until my father took it down. (And hung it up in his garage!)

One day in 1975 I won an LP (probably my 5th copy of Alice Cooper's "Welcome to My Nightmare"...no 30 day rules back in those days!) from Chuck "Rock N' Roll" Martin and he asked me if I was interested in radio, if I wanted to be a radio DJ...because...if I did..."I had a good voice for it.".

Chuck was my radio idol, so, this was like a budding actor hearing from Pacino that one should pursue acting.

I enrolled in a broadcasting school after high school and landed my first job at WDLR in Delaware, Ohio before graduation in September 1979. Which reminds me - this month marks my 39th year in the business.

2. What led to the launch of ALT 92.1 Reno's Alternative on August 24th almost one year to the day after the demise of longtime cross-town Alternative KRZQ?

According to our consultant, Jeff Sanders, Alternative has a long and successful history in Reno, dating back to the early 1990s when the aforementioned KRZQ was a very successful brand.

The call letters and format got bounced around all over the dial over these past 27 years. Our owner, Jerry Evans, his son Henry and Jeff discussed the viability of bringing the format back to Northern Nevada. The hole is there. We're counting on the appetite for the music to be as well. Early indications are we're correct.

Jeff was also the VP/Programming for Wilks Broadcasting and oversaw the programming at both KZRQ and AAA The X so he's very familiar with Alternative's history and legacy in the market.

3. Give us the 411 on what we can expect from ALT 92.1 Reno's Alternative following 5,000 songs commercial free.

Well...first of all...we've extended that number to 10,000 songs!!

We're doing that because, we can, it's cool, and, it's giving us time to put the other pieces in place.

Decisions are being made as we speak about staffing; promotions and marketing. This came together very quickly. I had weight-loss surgery on July 16th and began the "construction" with the team on July 23rd. We launched the station on August 24th. Every day we fine tune adding additional imaging and more. The station sounds great and everyone is super stoked!

4. You wear quite a few hats at Evans Broadcasting/Reno, including co-hosting The FUN 101 morning show with your wife. It sounds like the company has a family atmosphere. Tell us a bit about Evans Broadcasting and your role as OM/PD duties.

The addition of Denise to mornings just happened. She and I have done successful morning shows in many markets as "Doug & Denise Daniels: Married in the Morning." She has twice my (on-air) talent; has one of the best voices in the business and makes me suck less. :-)

Regarding my "hats", officially, I program AC-KRFN; Country-The Wolf and, now, with terrific coaching; guidance and format expertise, from Jeff, - The New Alt 92.1. Although a better title may be: "The Executioner."

Evans Broadcasting is owned by former San Diego and Chicago Production Director/air personality, Jerry Evans. Jerry owned News Talk KKFT and Classic Country KCMY in Carson City for twelve years before acquiring the two Reno-based frequencies (100.9 and 92.1) two years ago.

His son, Henry Evans, is not only an account representative but has been a pivotal player in the visual representation of Alt 92.1. He's handling the social media; marketing and promotion.

We're a lean-mean-operating machine here at Evans. When we want to do something we can get it done quickly. There's no layers between the rank and file and the guy who signs the checks. I mean, we went from concept to on-air with Alt 92.1 in less than six-weeks!

5. How would you describe yourself as a programmer?

I've been described by others as being a pretty good strategic programmer. I turned stations in Charleston, WV and Rockford around within months and made them the #1 rated stations in the market in their target demos. Being a "turn-around" specialist has been my forte. I guess I'm popular with operators who feel they have nothing to lose. (LOL)

I also have a photographic and audio-graphic (if there is such a thing) memory. If I tell you that I forgot to do something - I'm lying. (LOL) These genetic gifts from my parents (and God) really come in handy when programming and managing - and playing Trivial Pursuit. (Does anyone remember Trivial Pursuit...anyone?)

Lastly - I'm a wordsmith. I wrote a 180,000 word book on the Law of Attraction in 2011 which features over 700 original epigrams about living an undeniable life. Being able to concisely get a point across in mere seconds is essential in radio. (For the record - Jeff Sanders is doing all the creative writing for Alt 92.1 and it's outstanding.)

6. Let's circle back to ALT 92.1, who is the station targeting and what is the station's coverage in Reno from Sparks, Nevada?

92.1 covers all of Reno/Sparks and with the co-channel booster at 92.1 in Carson City, also covers the Carson Valley.

The station is primarily an 18-34 - 50/50 Male to Female appeal station, with 25-34 being the core. Having said that, with the number of great '90s titles were playing, we're anticipating a strong showing 35-44 as well.

7. What may surprise people most about ALT 92.1?

Although The New Alt 92.1 features all the Alternative Rock one would expect to hear, there's plenty of music which isn't guitar driven as well, drawing from AAA as well as what you'd hear on many Hot ACs. We purposely decided not to use a "Rock" sounding voice for the imaging because women need to be a significant part of the appeal of the station to meet our ratings expectations. We're not trying to be "too hip for the room", yet, we're clearly the hippest sounding station in the market already. Also - once we introduce personalities - their presentations will sound real; authentic, void of hype. Reno is Real - so Alt 92.1 needs to be rooted in the community and not full of hype. Hype is not what Alt 92.1 is about, although it's hard not to be excited about playing 10,000 songs in a row :-)

8. What do you like best about living in The Biggest Little City In The World?

I can honestly say I've never placed a single coin in a slot since I arrived in 2012, so, although the casinos draw millions of tourists annually, I like them because of the concerts; shows and restaurants. The weather is tremendous nine months of the year and the winters are relatively mild. Lake Tahoe, the most beautiful place on earth, is a 35 minute drive from my home, and if I want to visit a big city, Sacramento and San Francisco, not to mention, Las Vegas, are just hours away. Oh, and the people are pretty nice as well.

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

Before my weight-loss surgery - I would have said a Coke Zero! Fizzy drinks are not allowed on the new diet. Seriously though...the love and support of my family is the answer. My wife and I have been together since late 1981 and she has been by my side every step of the way on this weird and wild ride known as radio. To borrow a sentiment from David Gates...I'm glad I made it with her. Because I wouldn't have made it without her.

10. What would surprise people most about you?

Despite being best known for programming AC stations since 1990, Rock music, in its various forms, has always been my go-to-tune in the car. (Although I have a twisted affinity for Yacht Rock...Ambrosia is on the turntable now...Nice, Nice, very nice)

You work with your wife all week. What is a typical weekend like for you?

What's a weekend? Is that anything like this "vacation" thingy I hear others reference?

What are your hobbies?

As I mentioned earlier, I wrote a book about metaphysics and The Law of Attraction with a spiritual foundation seven years ago. If this radio thing goes south I plan to be the next Wayne Dyer - only not dead and with a lot more hair.

I've also written a screenplay called "Stairway To Cleveland" based on my first two years in radio while I lived in Waverly, Ohio.

First record ever purchased?

My mother bought me "The Partridge Family Album" in 1971. My crush on Susan Dey is still strong! By the way - it's a great Sunshine Pop LP produced by The Wrecking Crew!

I think the first 45 I purchased was "Heartbeat It's a Lovebeat" by the DeFranco Family. (Or was that the first record I stole?)

First concert?

(Good Lord - I think there's a trend here...) It was David Cassidy at the Ohio State Fair in 1974. First "real" concert was either REO Speedwagon or Kenny Loggins in 1982.

Favorite band of all-time?

Oooh...that's a hard one. I was an "AM Radio" child so The Three Dog Night was the soundtrack of my youth. But - by a mile - Elton John (he was in a band - right?) is my all-time favorite. I met him in 2001, simply the nicest superstar I ever met, but, he didn't hug and kiss me and make me feel tingly all over like Celine Dion did in 1992. Celine Rocks!

Anything else you would like to add?

Radio has been berry, berry, good to me. Hope it feels the same about me.