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10 Questions with ... Reed Petitpren
June 3, 2020
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
After graduating from Specs Howard School of Media Arts I worked as a promotions assistant for 89X (CIMX) in Detroit, then had a brief stint in Flint as a morning show sidekick and weekends at CK105.5 (WWCK). I then took a job doing nights in Bismarck, ND at Hot 97.5 (KKCT). After that, I took a trip down south to host nights at 107.1 The Monkey (WXYK). I then moved back up to 89X (CIMX) for the next 7 years to do everything from weekends, fill-ins, to hosting the Night show and then on to Afternoon Drive. After being part of a mass-layoff, I took on a small role at 101 WRIF (WRIF) until accepting a job at Go 96.3 (KQGO) in Minneapolis. After a couple months, I transitioned to host afternoon drive. Earlier this year, I was inducted into the Specs Howard School of Media Arts 50th Anniversary Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
“I love being able to connect with the community. It's like having thousands and thousands of friends, and it's amazing when they reach back out and text or call or tweet to you as if you really are friends even though you've never met or met a couple times. You really are a part of their lives. I love being able to create content and entertain listeners.”
1. How did you first become interested in radio?
Aside from being a music fan, there's just something unique about radio. You've got the music, it's fun, it's theater of the mind, it's free. It seemed like the coolest job in the world as a kid (and as an adult, it checks out). I liked listening to personalities because they seemed larger than life. It was just always something I idolized in jocks. I spent most of my teenage years learning Web Design, and did pretty well for a while until I got a job working for the government doing Web Design and realized I hated it and could not ever see myself doing that forever. I had heard a commercial on the radio about a school that teaches you how to be a radio personality, and when I heard the guy in the commercial say he can go to work in his pajamas, I was convinced I needed to give it a shot. I went home that day and told my parents that I wanted to quit my promising well-paid Web Design career to become a radio DJ. They were less than thrilled at first, but they definitely came around.
2. After hosting PM Drive at 89X/Windsor-Detroit, what led you to Go 96.3?
In 2017 I was part of mass layoffs at 89X as they terminated their entire U.S. staff. As completely devastating as it was at the time, being let go from the radio station you always dreamed of working at, turned out to be a real blessing. I love Minneapolis as a city, the people I work with, and the radio vision this company has. That is rare these days.
3. How would you describe your on-air style?
Nutty. I would say very light and upbeat. I like to be positive and happy and try to squeeze in a little humor most times I pop the mic. I definitely don't take myself too seriously, but I love interacting with listeners and artists and sounding like that weird goofy friend you're hanging out with.
4. What is your show prep routine?
I start off with an email of news articles the morning show will send me, then I'll go through Google News, which is a really solid tool because it learns from your searches and caters to what you view the most. I'll hit up TMZ and other sites to see what I can find of funny, weird, or wild stories. From there I try to turn them into relatable content that everyone can relate to.
5. What do you love most about being on-air?
I love being able to connect with the community. It's like having thousands and thousands of friends, and it's amazing when they reach back out and text or call or tweet to you as if you really are friends even though you've never met or met a couple times. You really are a part of their lives. I love being able to create content and entertain listeners.
6. Tell us about your Top Prospects at 3pm. What else makes your afternoon show unique?
I love Top Prospects! Every weekday at 3pm, we feature one specialty song. This song could be a B-side, something new from one of your favorite artists, or something our programming team thinks could really blow up. Earlier this year we decided to involve my friend and our videographer, Zeke to join me and sit in with the show. Zeke is a character all by himself and when we're together it's usually always shenanigans, so it gets interesting. But thanks to Coronavirus butting in and ruining our lives, Zeke no longer comes into the studio every day, but we have him connect through our tie-line and get him on the show for daily bits, which is spicy.
7. How are you using social media to augment what you’re doing on-air?
Social Media is SO important right now, especially during the pandemic. More people are bored and consuming social media like crazy. A lot of people are not driving in their cars or commuting to work, so they're not listening to the radio as much. It's been very important to us to keep a profile on your socials to basically remind your listeners that, "Hey, hi, we're still here, did you know I'm giving away 500 dollars today?" etc. It's good to have your face and content still in their minds, so when they do come back, maybe they've even connected with you more. Zeke and I threw a Live fake/mock home workout video session the other day with ridiculous outfits and Shake Weights. We go live to talk about Star Wars, Virtual Happy Hours, and most importantly we have been doing daily interviews with artists and bands such as Awolnation, Finneas, Weezer, Third Eye Blind, Joywave, Hayley Williams, the list goes on. It's super fun and interactive when the audience gets a real peek inside the home life of the artist on a very humanized level.
8. Who is your favorite on-air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
I love the whole crew of Dave & Chuck The Freak. You can't not laugh while listening to them. I'm not sure if it counts, but Joe Rogan and his podcast. It's just chaos in the best way with the most interesting guests.
9. What would surprise people most about you?
That's a good question, I'm not sure ha-ha. I'm a pretty interesting character and an open book so I don't think much would surprise anyone.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without...
If literally anyone that knows me other than me answered that, they'd say at least 10 hours of sleep and they're not wrong. I don't think it's really about the sleep, I just really, really, hate the feeling of waking up. Not in a dark way or anything, I just wanna wake up when I know I don't have to ha-ha.
Bonus Questions
Your station bio states: Craft Beer enthusiast, Dive Bar Junkie, Loves Movies, Naps, Sporting Events, Video games, not wearing pants, cooking, and a big-time Foodie. Wanna share more details?
Oh, absolutely. I hosted a podcast years ago and one feature was reviewing beer that was sent to us, so I really got into craft beers, and enjoy them thoroughly. I love exploring new tap rooms and flavors. Luckily Minnesota has a bomb beer scene. I think I got my appreciation for dive bars from Detroit. They have so much character, even though they can be very no frills and aesthetically unappealing to the average joe, I prefer that. Putting on pants is the hardest part of the day, and that's just a fact that science can't even argue.
How about a favorite recipe?
I mean, I wing everything. No solid recipes for me. I will tell you that grilled chicken in between 2 slices of garlic Texas toast with mozzarella and marinara sauce is an experience. Anything chicken, really. Just get weird with it. I accidentally made an 11-pound lasagna once. I just kept layering that bad boy. Also, ketchup is the best complement to grilled cheese, TRY IT.
What are your favorite places to eat in the area?
Probably my favorite place of all time is Pizza Luce. It's honestly the best pizza I've ever had. Their other food is off the charts good, too. Plus, they have a bar, and it's just a whole vibe for me. Two of the best burgers I've ever had were from a place called Revival (ironically known for their chicken), and Parlour Bar. They have a great food truck scene here as well, shout out to Habaneros Tacos for having my favorite burrito bowl ever. Minneapolis food is poppin'!
How often do you get back to Detroit and what are your top priorities when you get back home?
Lately it's been 2-3 times a year and my main priority is seeing my family and friends. My parents have a cabin up north in Michigan so that's always a stop, and one of my best friends has a lake house up north as well, so summertime is usually just about escaping and having fun. My family and friends also like to come out here to the Twin Cities and we always have a blast exploring and getting into trouble.
Are you a bigger Lions or Tigers fan?
Cue the laugh track.... Lions. I know, I know, we suck. I can't explain how or why I'm still a die-hard fan, but I am. It's not an easy life. But it will all be worth it when we win the Super Bowl next season.
First record ever purchased?
Check Your Head by the Beastie Boys on cassette tape! I vividly remember this. I was so proud I had saved up 13 bucks to buy it, came home, blasted it with my tiny little tape player on repeat and MEMORIZED the lyrics. If my mom even knew...
First concert?
Bob Seger! (subtle flex) I think I was about like 7 years old at The Palace of Auburn Hills in MI. My parents took me and my brother, to what I only can assume was a, "Crap, we can't find a babysitter" move.
Favorite band of all-time?
One of the hardest questions to answer. My tastes vary so much, but I can ballpark it for you with Foo Fighters, Linkin Park, Taking Back Sunday, The Used, Eminem, Kid Rock...and William Hung.
Favorite new band over the past year?
Yam Haus. They are a local band from Minnesota but I'm pretty sure are going to take over the world soon. Also, Allan Rayman, and Dominic Fike.
Anything else you would like to add?
Stay safe, wash your hands, if you're struggling, reach out. We're gonna get through this royal pain in the ass. Also, I love you.
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