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10 Questions with ... Dustin Carlson
August 3, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I can’t think of a better management team to work for. They (Trip Reeb and David Moore) bring decades of programming experience to the table, and I’ve learned so much from both. Every department in this building is a well-oiled machine. They both set high expectations and make sure we have the resources to do our jobs the best we can. It’s a really good time. Plus, everyone knows how great Hubbard is to work for. I consider myself pretty spoiled.
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
From my first radio gig right out of high school to soaking up the endless sun in Phoenix over 20 years later. It’s been a wild ride! I’ve been lucky enough to call Denver, Milwaukee, Vegas, Boston and Phoenix home. I’ve worked Hot AC, CHR, Active Rock and Alternative <-favorite. KWWW, KALC, WLZR, KXTE, WODS, and now KDKB.
1. What do you remember most from when you first joined ALT AZ 93.3 in 2015 and how different is the station today?
I remember Mo, our midday host. Her energy left such a great first impression and has stuck through the over 6 years I’ve been here. As far as what’s different, we have obviously had our share of staff and lineup changes and we moved into a new building a year after we launched which has been a dream. I think the main difference is the growth we’ve all experienced since our launch. The opportunity to meet the challenges over the years have made us all better at everything we do. We’re sharper, more focused and definitely better jocks.
2. What’s it like working for Hubbard Radio/Phoenix with Trip Reeb and David Moore?
I can’t think of a better management team to work for. They (Trip Reeb and David Moore) bring decades of programming experience to the table, and I’ve learned so much from both. Every department in this building is a well-oiled machine. They both set high expectations and make sure we have the resources to do our jobs the best we can. It’s a really good time. Plus, everyone knows how great Hubbard is to work for. I consider myself pretty spoiled.
3. You wear a lot of hats. What is a typical day like for you?
I’m usually up at 6am. Coffee, read news, and work on logs from home for a while. Get to the office around 10, take some calls from labels, and hit the gym for lunch. After lunch, I usually deal with imaging projects, then on the air at 3, then back to my office around 6 to finalize and massage the next day’s log. Then home. Throw in some meetings and other random stuff that never fails to pop up at the least convenient times and you have a pretty full day.
4. Give us the elevator speech on ALT AZ 93.3.
We’re the station that shows you a great time, gives you access to the bands you love, plays what you want to hear while helping you discover new music.
5. What are music meetings like at the station?
Violent. j/k
We look at research, share our opinions, come to consensus and make our moves. We have a great brain trust at this station. We don’t always get it right but who does?
6. Tell us about your New Artist Discovery feature on the station.
This is a way for us to introduce the audience to new artists and music, even in dayparts we wouldn’t normally play such an unfamiliar title. We run promos with the artist introducing the song and inviting people to add it to their playlist or get a free download on our website. The execution is designed to give maximum exposure to the artist while reinforcing our music discovery image. Also, another sponsorable event.
7. Your Fall Concert Series and Christmas shows are back on the schedule. Tell us about booking these shows with the uncertainties of Covid still looming.
Are they? I mean Arizona will never be a state that’s going to shut down venues again but if that starts happening in other states the routing of tours is going to collapse. I’m cautiously optimistic these will happen. In the fall and spring, we do a free concert series with one of our shopping district partners. These shows have a capacity of 1500 people, are outdoor and usually booked with our up-and-coming acts. At the moment we have 4 shows planned and everything is looking good. Christmas is a different beast. We had been scaling these down to the smaller venues over the last few years, but I want to go big again. Working on it.
8. What do you love most about being on-air?
The connection with the audience. Both Mo and I know our regular listeners by name. It’s like having an extended friend family. We exchange hugs at shows, they love winning our contests, they support us at our events. They even call and thank us for being so rad sometimes. When they win prizes, they thank us by name. I can say this past year and a half I’ve missed seeing them in person. For the chunk of time when all contesting was on pause, we didn’t have much interaction at all, and it seemed so empty.
9. What is your favorite social media platform and how do you use it?
I’m just going to come out and be totally honest with this one. I’ve completely lost all fucks to give about social media. I know it’s my job, but all social media is miserable. It makes me miserable. I hate looking at it. I hate feeling like I have to be a part of it. I’d rather focus on what’s coming out of the speakers. I do make an effort, but I would never get hired for my social media presence.
10. You have worked at some great radio stations in your career. Who are your mentors?
My first mentor is no longer with us, John Ross. He was the PD of the country station in the first cluster I worked for. He taught me everything from imaging to scheduling music and coached the hell out of me early in my career. Without him I would have never made it out of Wenatchee. Mike Stern saw something in me early on that I didn’t see in myself. Still don’t know what, but he gave me my first big break, probably before I was ready, but I grew into it. Still working with him to this day. The late Jim Trapp was an interesting year, but I learned a ton from him too. Charese Fruge and I had a ton of fun in Vegas. Dan Mason Jr helped me wrap my head around CHR and we did some unconventional stuff that was maybe only funny to us but totally worth it. Of course, David Moore here in Phoenix has been an excellent influence these last few years. I’m grateful to have worked with so many brilliant people.
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you?
The best. We have a really great home here with a beautiful backyard and pool. Plus, a great social circle and we’re walking distance to everywhere downtown. We’re never bored on the weekend, sometimes I wish we were. I avoid anything work related at all costs. I get mad at myself if I have to open up Music Master on the weekend.
Favorite food?
I’m such creature of habit. There’s this place called FEZ, about a mile from our house. We’re usually there at least once a week. Also, where we usually kick off Sunday Funday with brunch.
Favorite drink?
I’m a total wineo. But let’s be honest again, I’ll drink whatever you put in front of me. We also have a small brewery pretty much right across the street from our house. Ask me again why I love it here…
I know you’re not a big sports, but how would you rank your sports teams in order of passion.
The hardest question. I pretty much have zero passion for sports. If the Seahawks are in the Superbowl I’ll probably watch it. Watched some Suns games for the finals. If the game is on, I’ll watch it but I rarely, if ever, turn it on. Don’t mind going to games though.
Favorite new band over the past year?
Arrested Youth. One of the last concerts I saw before Covid at the #happens event in Vegas, I was obsessed after the 2nd song.
Anything else you would like to add?
Maybe some words of encouragement? It’s been a tough year for a lot of people in the industry. It’s changing more rapidly than ever; everyone is burnt out and probably worried about their future. I’ve found that in tough times you discover your true character. They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, I believe it. Through tough times I’ve discovered new capabilities within myself. The things you’re able to accomplish on the other side will make everything in the past seem small, you just have to get through it.
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