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10 Questions with ... Cane
August 4, 2020
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I love that each day is different, and the ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ circus feel that being live gives you.
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Moved 29 times for 17 radio jobs, VH1, ESPN2, and a 2-year acting fling.
1. How did you first become interested in radio?
I always loved radio...Walkman went everywhere with me growing up, but I never realized it was something you could actually DO. I didn't know there was a way for random people to get one of those jobs. Until...senior year, sixth period...kid that sat in front of me went to Brown Institute (former broadcasting school in MPLS) for a voice test and came back bragging that he got an 88. I thought, "Pfff, I could do better than that." So, I went, and I was blown away by what I learned. Fell in love. Plus, I totally beat the kid's score.
2. You’ve been in the New York for almost 20 years and worked at legendary stations. It’s been a couple years now since you’ve been doing mornings on ALT 92.3. How does it feel to be back in the Alternative format?
Bringing back #Blessed for this one. Seriously, every day is a gift. That first day I walked down the hall from Fresh 102.7 to crack the mic at Alt 92.3 was a blur. I couldn't believe I got to come back home to that frequency again, 12 years on. Thank you to the great Mike Kaplan for giving me this opportunity! I've always lived the alt lifestyle, so it was comfortable immediately. There's nothing like the Alternative format. Where authenticity lives.
3. How would you describe your morning show and how different is it from what you’ve done in the past?
I asked Houseguest Lisa to answer this one. HGL became part of the show when we started broadcasting from home. My studio is in the guest bedroom, so she was gonna be on the air whether she liked it or not. She said, "It's funny, interesting, informative, authentic, and personal. The listeners really feel like they know you." I like that. It's just really very topical...sports, even celeb stuff, but with that snarky angle. It's the most "real me" show I've ever done.
4. What is your show prep routine?
Ask anyone in radio and they'll tell you, "the prepping never stops." But actual prep time is from about 5-7 in the evenings, check news of the day, put the rundown together, and then another two or three hours in the morning before the show. Grab sound, record bits, and invariably change the rundown. I get to the studio around 3:30 when I'm actually there. The home shows I let Houseguest Lisa sleep until 5:30.
5. What do you love most about being on-air?
What's not to love? Probably making people laugh, or trying to, anyway. That's my favorite thing. Making someone's day a little better. The personal connections you make...seeing the same people text every day... getting to know them. I love that each day is different, and the "fly by the seat of your pants" circus feel that being live gives you.
6. Which social media platforms are you finding best to engage with your listeners on these days?
Facebook and Instagram, without a doubt. I absolutely HATE Twitter. It's a cesspool. I use it to find some news, and that's about it. Twitter. Where everyone's offended by everything.
7. Who is your favorite on-air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
Man. This one is so hard, because there are so many people that I love, but I gotta go with my man Booker. Dude is just so great – smooth, real, and versatile -- Top 40, Alternative, Rock, celebrity red carpets, I mean he can do literally everything. He's the first guy I met when I got to K-Rock back in 1997. Kingston assigned him to show me around and take care of me, so of course we went to a club and got hammered. Even got a Polaroid of that night laying around here somewhere. Perez Hilton Podcast with Chris Booker, people!
8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Our way of measuring ratings is still ASS. What are we doing, people? It's 2020 out there! lol
9. What would surprise people most about you?
That if there wasn't so much friggin' math involved, I'd have become a meteorologist! I'm fascinated by the weather. Love it. That and my feet are still growing. Five years ago, I was a 12. Now I'm a 14. I mean, WTF's up with that?
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Praying.
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you?
In the summer I'm at the beach, rain or shine. Bust out a couple Claws. You know the drill. Winter? Home Claws.
What are your favorite places to eat in New Jersey? What about in New York?
Gigi's Pizza, Sea Bright, NJ. I know, a pizza place. How exotic! I'm just not a big restaurant guy. I'll eat anywhere. My favorite places are bars, and most of the good ones in NYC are all gone.
How often do you get back to Minneapolis and what are your top priorities when you get back home?
I don't go back at all, anymore, except for a Vikings game here and there. Once mom died, there's no reason to. It's not the same place I grew up in, either. I've been in NY/NJ now for 23 years. This is home.
Rank your sports teams in order of passion.
Vikings, Twins, Rangers, Mets, Rutgers, Yankees. Strange list.
First record ever purchased?
AC/DC's "Back In Black." My mom wanted me to return it cuz she thought it was satanic.
First concert?
Def Leppard "Hysteria" in the round tour. When Joe wore those jeans that were ripped all the way down. I then had jeans that were ripped all the way down.
Favorite band of all-time?
NIN and Prince. I can never decide, so I always say both.
Favorite new band over the past year?
I'm gonna get shit for it, but I don't care. MGK. I know he's been around longer, but this new pop punk stuff he's doing, I really dig. I like his attitude.
Anything else you would like to add?
Anything else: Just two predictions. Yankees win the WS, Vikings win the SB.
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