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10 Questions with ... Shawn Alexander
August 1, 2023
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I've done over 1,100 All Access 10 Questions interviews and this is the first time I asked myself 10 Questions. I never like the focus to be on me. This is about you and the Alternative community. I love being in the middle of the action reporting on what's happening in Alternative and connecting people to their next opportunity.
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
My first industry job was at Metro Traffic/Los Angeles. A lifetime ago, I ventured up the Central Coast for nights at KBAI (K-Bay)/Morro Bay, CA and part-time/weekends at KSTT (Coast 103.1)/San Luis Obispo, CA. I returned to L.A. and hosted nights on KMDY (Comedy Radio)/Oxnard, CA and weekends on sister KNJO (The New 92.7 FM). In 1989, I joined Radio & Records as Asst. Rock Editor and became the first Alternative Editor in 1990. I also spent almost 10 years doing part-time production, splicing up reel-to-reel tape at Audio Services America. I've been at All Access since February 1996, back when we were all on dial-up. It's been a great ride; I'm very proud of the last 27 ½ years. I've seen a lot of changes in our industry.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
Growing up in L.A., I loved listening to the World Famous KROQ in the 80's. Jed The Fish said some of the wildest things on-air. Some of my early favorite KROQ jocks also included: Raechel Donahue, Rodney On The ROQ, Richard Blade, and Poorman. I would flip to KMET and KLOS too. I was a complete radio nerd and went to broadcasting school at L.A Broadcasters (aka The LAB) to learn about the business.
My dream job was becoming a baseball play-by-play announcer. Before broadcasting school, I used to broadcast games at home with the TV sound turned off and a microphone in my hand. I would invite my friends over to be my sidekick doing the color commentary. I was really serious about it. I even took a trip to the Winter Meetings in Nashville and went through the application process to try and land a minor league job.
2. What led you to R&R?
When I realized calling minor league baseball play-by-play was a longshot, I thought it would be cool to soak up some knowledge at the well-respected R&R trade publication. I first landed a part-time job at R&R taking radio station reports on a TRS-80 computer. That's where I met Joel Denver, who was the Top 40 Editor at the time. Lynn McDonnell was Asst. AOR Editor for AOR Editor Harvey Kojan. When Lynn landed a job at Interscope Records, I applied for and landed her job at R&R (we made it full circle working together at All Access). Harvey and Jeff Gelb helped me immensely. They were great mentors and taught me a lot about the business.
So, the AOR chart at the time had KROQ, KITS, 91X, and a few other "New Wave/Modern Rock" stations that really didn't have much in common with the AOR panel. I was fortunate to get the opportunity to start up the R&R Alternative section (then called New Rock) and write a weekly column.
The first R&R Alternative panel included: KROQ/Los Angeles, KITS/San Francisco, WFNX/Boston, 91X/San Diego, WDRE/Long Island, KUKQ/Phoenix, KJQN/Salt Lake City, WOXY/Oxford-Cincinnati, WHTG/Asbury Park, NJ, KTCL/Ft. Collins, CFNY/Toronto, along with college stations WBRU/Providence, WRAS/Atlanta, KUNV/Las Vegas, WBNY/Buffalo, WFIT/Melbourne, FL, and KACV/Amarillo, TX.
The next wave of Alternative stations included: KDGE/Dallas, WHFS/Washington, CIMX/Windsor-Detroit, WXVX/Pittsburgh, and WWCD/Columbus. The panel was described as a "group of radio's most musically adventurous stations." By the way, the chart started as an album chart.
3. How did you get started at All Access?
When I got laid off at R&R in late-1995 and replaced by Sky Daniels, Joel Denver called and offered me the opportunity to start-up an Alternative section on AllAccess.com. There were several trade publications at the time, but All Access felt like the future since it was the first one that was 100% online. It provided me the opportunity to build the Alternative section from scratch.
4. Take us back to the early days at All Access.
It all started in Joel's Denver's house in Malibu. He had a bedroom converted into the All Access office. There was a lot of buffering since everything was still on dial-up at the time. Joel was a heavy cigarette smoker, so I had to come home and change my clothes each night. Seriously, I learned a lot listening to Joel's conversations.
My first clients were Steve Tipp, Geordie Gillespie, and the late Bill Carroll. They helped me get the balling rolling and I'll never forget it.
5. What is your typical day at All Access like for you?
I was ahead of the curve on multi-tasking. The Alternative Editor job duties are sales, editorial, and promotion. I do it all. There's always a lot of balls in the air. I'm writing Net News, calling radio stations, calling record labels/managers, and putting together all of the content in the Alternative section – 10 Questions, Future Releases, Hot Picks, Cool New Music, Artist Info, Industry Snaps, etc. All of my calls and emails lead to the secret sauce. In January 2021, I launched Today's Alternative – Every Other Daily newsletter with Rock cohort Ken Anthony launching one for the Rock community. We were trailblazers and brainstormed on this together.
I also interface with all the other format heads. We really have an amazing team, and everyone is so passionate about the brand and making everyone happy. It's a long day and I really love my job. I work 12+ hour days. On Sunday evening I work another 3 hours to get myself set-up for the next week by downloading Mediabase 7-day song reports, analyzing the Alternative chart for potential sales opportunities, answering weekend emails, and gathering content for the Monday morning edition of Today's Alternative.
6. What do you love most about your job?
Definitely the music! There's nothing better than helping introduce new artists to programmers and finding opportunities to get their songs on-air.
I love helping people. Since I have so many contacts, it's always a pleasure when I can connect people and help them find their next job.
7. What is your process for New Music Discovery?
All my contacts do a great job of keeping me dialed in. I'm so fortunate to get to hear a lot of new music before it gets released. The PR firms and independent artists do a great job reaching my inbox with new music too. I'm so proud that All Access Downloads became a fantastic resource for the entire industry. A huge thank you to all my label friends for believing in our platform to host new releases and deliver Blasts.
Some of my favorite specialty shows I listen to every week are: Go Deep With Bruce Rave, Passport Approved, and Advanced Placement. Thrilled that Aaron Axelsen's Soundcheck is back on Live 105. These shows do an outstanding job of presenting new music. I'm so lucky to have a job where I get to listen to music all day long and share music, I'm passionate about with programmers.
8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without __________?
Thinking about the Mets. I also can't make it through the day without sending my Happy Birthday greeting with Mr. Met and the message, "Have a great day and grand slam of the year." It's my tradition. It's not quite as big of a hit as the All Access Mouse Pad Calendar. Those are really going to be missed.
9. Besides Alternative, what is your favorite radio format?
I'm a big fan of Triple A, Rock, and Sports.
10. What would surprise people most about you?
I love going on long walks. That was my big takeaway from Covid.
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you?
The best weekend is getting quality time with my wife Lisa and daughter Danielle. Love my girls!
I'm pretty chill. I love sitting outside for hours in my backyard listening to Mets podcasts, ballgames or music. I love watching sports, movies, going to concerts, and hanging out with friends. A weekend day trip to Ventura is always a win with a trip to Spencer McKenzie's, Dargen's Irish Pub, and VenTiki. Good times!
Favorite vacations?
Carlsbad, CA. My happy place is staying at one of the beachside condos with my family.
Favorite Restaurants?
Full disclosure, I'm a big fan of landmark restaurants. The older the establishment, the more excited I get.
These are a few of my faves:
(L.A.)-Philippe The Original, Musso & Frank, Dan Tana's, El Cholo, Tam O'Shanter, and Formosa Café.
(Valley)-Brent's Deli, Los Toros, The Old Place, Rib Ranch, Mick's Sub Shop, and Cavaretta's.
Favorite Food?
A good steak with a stuffed baked potato, and a wedge salad is pretty amazing!
Favorite Beverage?
Black coffee. I can drink it all day and night. Love a beer at Happy Hour.
Rank your sports teams in order of passion.
New York Mets, L.A. Kings, and Miami Dolphins.
Favorite new band over the past year?
I'm absolutely obsessed right now with HotWax. Can't wait to see this new UK band open for Royal Blood in November.
First record ever purchased?
Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti (I thought that was the coolest album cover)
First concert?
The Police at the Fabulous Forum in 1978 during the "Outlandos d'Amour" tour.
Best concert this year?
The Hives at the Troubadour. If you haven't seen this band live, go see them. One of the best live shows I've ever seen.
Favorite band of all-time?
Some of my faves are Tom Petty, The Police, Wilco, Neil Young, and Del Amitri. Oingo Boingo was a bigtime favorite from about 1981-1985.
Anything else you would like to add?
Fun fact: Todd Nuke "Em at KXRK (X96)/Salt Lake City was the first person to answer All Access Alternative 10 Questions. The weekly feature was first launched in 2000. I've done over 1,100 All Access 10 Questions interviews and this is the first time I asked myself 10 Questions. I never like the focus to be on me. This is about you and the Alternative community. I love being in the middle of the action reporting on what's happening in Alternative and connecting people to their next opportunity. Thank you so much for helping make this possible. It was a great run and can't tell you how much I appreciate all your support over the last 27 ½ years. I will be in touch soon with what's next. You can reach me at heyshawnski@gmail.com or drop me a text or call at (818) 489-6449.
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