10 Questions with ... Ricky Biggs

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started at KJEE in Santa Barbara as an intern back in 2009 making coffee for the morning show and have just kind of hung around ever since. Now I'm still at KJEE, still making coffee, but they let make a few funny sounds on the air from time to time.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I grew up listening to and loving Live 105 in the Bay Area but radio never struck me as a career path until I was about 17 and won a promo Live 105 was doing called Listener Livespace. I got to program my own hour, head to the radio station and stumble through some talk breaks, and get a tour of the station and meet some of the DJs I listened to almost every day. From then on it was game over. I'm sure no one there has any recollection of this whatsoever but it happened. I've got the burned CD with my first radio show on it as proof.

2. What led you to KJEE almost 9 years ago?

I had just moved to Santa Barbara out of high school and found KJEE scanning the radio for the best rock station I could find. I knew I wanted to be in radio so I looked them up online, emailed about an internship, and I've been here ever since.

3. Tell us about weekdays from 2-6pm with Ricky Biggs.

I look at it as four hours to have as much fun and be as silly as I can. I've always believed that if the person on the radio sounds like they're having fun and genuinely enjoying what they're doing, the listeners will too. I talk music, but I also try to incorporate other random stories that I think are funny or that I think people will connect with and get as much listener interaction as I can.

4. Let's talk about your imaging duties. What's most important to you and how would you describe your imaging style?

The one thing I always try to keep in mind when I'm working on production is "Is this worth people's time?" Especially if it's a promo, I always want to make something that listeners will find entertaining, something that will make them turn the radio up and go, "Wait, what did they just say?" If it sounds like a commercial, I've failed.

As for style, that changes day to day. I will say that I've tried to be more disciplined lately. If left to my own devices I'll be too wordy and drag things out just a bit longer than they need to be.

5. What is a typical workday like for you at KJEE?

Unpredictable, just the way I like it.

6. What is your favorite part of your job?

I used to get eye rolls at my old jobs for making weird sounds, cracking too many jokes, and not taking things seriously. Now it's encouraged. I'd say that's pretty great.

7. What's it like working for Eddie Gutierrez?

Eddie is a pretty great boss. He gives me a lot of freedom to be creative with production and my on-air show and I couldn't be more thankful to have so much leeway and support from my boss.

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

It's so cliché, but coffee. And Instagram too.

9. What would surprise people most about you?

I hate avocados. That seems to be the most shocking to people.

10. What do you love most about living in Santa Barbara?

How unbelievably gorgeous it is. I live where people vacation. Can't beat it. Also, Lily's Tacos.

What are weekends like for you?

I try to get outside as much as I can when I'm not working. Hiking, a bike ride, a walk by the beach. I'm lucky to live in a place that has as many great outdoor spaces as Santa Barbara.

What are your hobbies?

I guess you could say photography is my side-hustle. I'm also big into camping and backpacking.

Last non-industry job?

Retail at an office-supply store. Exciting stuff.

First record ever purchased?

Another Level by Blackstreet when I was about 8 years old.

First concert?

Does high school battle of the bands count?

Favorite band of all-time?

JAPANDROIDS!

Anything else you would like to add?

I've got to work with some amazing people at this small, independent seaside radio station over the years and I wouldn't be anywhere without all the help and mentorship I've received from all of them. I'll always be grateful of that and hope to pass on the same kindness.