10 Questions with ... Jason & Deb

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Jason It’s a story as old as time... started out as a promo kid in college, hounded the PD (Melody Lee) to put me on-air on weekends/overnights, ducked being fired a few times, sidled my way into the side-kick role when the KROX morning show blew up in 2003, revolving door of co-castmates, Deb joins in 2006, ducked being fired a few more times, conquered radio. The end.

Deb After a roaming, nomadic life through Rota, Spain and Pittsburgh, PA and Dallas, TX, I settled in Austin and won a radio contest to be a sidekick on the JB and Sandy show. After the shock wore off, I realized I loved being on air and bugged everyone in the building to teach me how to do all the radio thingies. It was an ass backwards way into radio but it was great. After being fired (best thing that ever happened to me) I set my sights on working with Jason and the rest is history.

1. How did you first become interested in radio?

Jason I became pretty obsessed with going to concerts in the late ‘90s (the obvious glory days of rock: Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, Lit etc.) and was a big fan of 101x. I figured I could score free tickets and have a cool college job. I stayed after graduation.

Deb Like Jason, I've always been obsessed with music and concerts, and I LOVED the morning radio show I listened to in England. I felt like I grew up with that show. When I got the opportunity to audition for the JB and Sandy Show, I leapt at it, and beat out over 500 other eager applicants.

2. Your Facebook bio states: Jason's the dumbest smart person and the most unfit athlete you know. Deb's a hot British chick living in Austin, choosing to share every morning in a studio with a guy who thinks he's good at everything that is something. Together, they're a perfect example of what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object: they hang out and become drinking buddies. We're Jason and Deb on the MorningX. We make being the #2 radio show in Austin look like it's #1. We make dysfunction look professional. We make any conversation into something having to do with sex. We make you 5% more likely to crash on your way to work because you're laughing so hard .Explain your role on the show.

Jason First, I have no idea who wrote that. Some parts are brilliant, many parts cringey, all parts are dated so good on us for keeping it fresh. I do my best to say funny (occasionally smart, often not) things into the microphone and I push the buttons that make the music go.

Deb Ditto. We should probably update that!

When I first came over to 101X, I told then Program Director Jeff Carrol, that I was going to make our show number 1. It was a lofty goal, but I was motivated to beat the show that fired me (no offense to JB and Sandy, I'm just very competitive). We had virtually no web presence at that time so in addition to bringing content to the airwaves, I set up our blog, photo galleries and subsequent social media sites. Now we have a crack team of producers (shout out to Nick and Katy) who handle that side of things for us so now I just babble into the mic.

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

Jason Style? Uhhh loose, fun. An Emmis big wig once said I had incredible non-regional diction.

Deb Yeah, what Jason said. Also I do love the opportunity to get on my soapbox to call out the wrongs I see in the world.

4. What is your show prep routine?

Jason Mostly focused on getting there on time. I try to stay plugged in on most of the high equity topics that we dabble in though I’m often (adorably?) out of touch with some pop culture corners. We have a very very good producer Nick Hajda who knows how I think and what I want and he does a lot of behind the scenes work to make sure I only look like an unprepared jackass when I want to look that way.

Deb We used to have daily meetings after the show with our AMAZING boss, PD Lynn Barstow and former consultant Steve Reynolds, to prep for the show the next day. As much as I love those guys, I hated those meetings but they helped us formulate the bones of the show. Now that Jason and I share half a brain, we pretty much know what we're going to talk about the day of the show. Saying that, I still read online news and entertainment websites, and don't tell anyone, but the local newspaper every day. I also find lots of helpful stories/show ideas on the social media pages I follow.

5. Tell us about Get Involved With Jason And Deb.

Jason We are not terrible people. Deb, elaborate please.

Deb We love dogs and kids; I'm a ranging animal rights advocate so we started Get Involved in order to help local charities as much as possible. Whenever we have a Jason And Deb event, it ALWAYS benefits a charity. Also, why get up at the arse crack of dawn every day if we can't fight for the rights of marginalized people whenever possible?

6. What is your favorite part of the show?

Jason I like playing games. Some will tell you that's because I am an overly competitive person, but I say that it’s because games are fun. People play games because they are fun and we have innovated a good number that I think are awesome for participants and listeners.

Deb I too love our games, but Jason can be a real dick if he wins too many (which is quite often - he really is a smart guy). I think my favorite part of is when we play the IMDB Game because I'm better at it than Jason. He will probably disagree. Also I love interviewing celebrity guests who maybe I wasn't looking forward to meeting, but who turned out to be really awesome. AKA Shia LaBeouf. After all the off-screen shenanigans I'd read about him, he was a perfect gentleman and very open and real.

7. What annoys you most during the morning show?

Jason I do not like to wake up early. I’m sleepy a lot. I’m sleepy right now. Being sleepy is annoying.

Deb Being hungry. I am always hungry and you can't just get up and cook some eggs. Also, any time I make a cup of coffee, I have to heat it up a million times because I'm blabbing so much. And I drink a lot of water so I'm always running to the loo. I need studio catheter or something.

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

Jason It’s never really felt like a job; I goof around and joke with my friends as a profession. I feel very lucky and am truly grateful not to have to sit in a cube or tuck my shirt. Oh, and money. I like money.

Deb Yeah, I'm also super grateful not to have to work in a cube. How do people do that? Also, traffic is barely a part of my life. If you've ever experienced Austin traffic then you know how mind numbingly dreadful it is. Sometimes I feel foolish that I have a career of making fart jokes, but then I think of all of those Austenite’s banging their heads against the steering wheel in traffic and I like to think that we're helping keep them sane.

9. Who is your favorite on-air personality and why?

Jason Ryen Russillo is a former ESPN personality who is now in the podcast only world. Does that count? He is smart, quick, clever, well researched, and a pleasant change of pace from the hot-take jackassery that moves the needle today.

That’s a bad answer. I change my answer to Deb O'Keefe.

Deb Terry Gross from NPR's Fresh Air. Does that make a pretentious bastard? Also, before I worked with Jason I really did enjoy listening to him. Now? Not so much. I'm kidding Jason!

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

Jason Saying something that is misunderstood.

Was that deep or pretentious AF?

Deb My animals. I have quite the heard of two dogs and two cats.

What are weekends like for you?

Jason The old me used fill his weekends with alcohol, gluttony, and debauchery. The new me is working on losing a quick 100 pounds before quickly welcoming back the old me. I watch mucho football when it’s in season. I play a medium amount of golf and a large amount of poker. I plan on soon winning the World Series Of Poker and promptly retiring.

Deb Aaaaaahhhhh the weekend. I like to lay in bed a little late then just take my time. Drink a whole cup of coffee without having to heat it up a million times and make eggs. I really like eggs. The gym. Then probably Costo if my Costco loving boyfriend has his way. There's probably some boxed wine in there at some point too because I'm classy.

Where are your favorite places to eat in Austin?

Jason Kome Sushi, Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ, Eddie Vs, Perry's, Pluckers, Mangia's Pizza, Haymaker, Wok N Express.

Deb Uchi, Uchiko, Kome, Kenichi, East Side Pies, Snap Kitchen, Wholefoods.

Rank your sports teams in order of passion.

Jason Longhorns, Cowboys, Spurs, Astros, Rangers.

Deb I am not known for being a fan of sports. I prefer doing rather than watching, but strangely enough I LOVE baseball. As we don't have an MLB team in Austin I like the Cubs. I guess I'll follow the England National teams in football (the proper one) and netball. Look it up, it's a great sport!

First record ever purchased?

Jason The first tape I remember owning is Vanilla Ice's To The Extreme. My first CDs were gifts: Garth Brooks' The Hits and Sheryl Crow's Tuesday Morning Music Club. I have never owned vinyl. I have lots of music credibility.

Deb OK wow this will age me. I think the first cassette I owned was Wham! Make It Big. And you know what? I still stand by that. The first record I bought with my own money was a Billy Idol 12". You kids will have to look that up. And the first CD I owned was INXS “Kick.”

First concert?

Jason Eek. Billy Ray Cyrus at Aquafest in the ‘90s

Deb I was 4 years old and my mum took me to see Cliff Richard at the Hammersmith Odeon in Shepherd's Bush, London. Does anyone understand any of that?

Favorite band of all-time?

Jason Alkaline Trio, Jimmy Eat World, Green Day

Deb Wham! Obviously. Prince. Led Zeppelin. Pearl Jam. Oasis. David Bowie. Dave Matthews Band. Band Of Horses. Alanis Morissette. Queen. 2016 was a shitty year for me.

Anything else you would like to add?

Jason I understand this publication can get people jobs. I do not want a new job, but I could use a job offer to get my current employer to give me more $$$. Major market PDs, get at me!

Deb Yes! Spray and neuter your pets!