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10 Questions with ... Dave Hubbell
July 14, 2009
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NAME:Dave HubbellTITLE:Specialty Show HostSTATION:KFTEMARKET:Lafayette LACOMPANY:Regent BroadcastingBORN:New Orleans 1960RAISED:New Orleans
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
College Radio at Centenary College; '70s AOR at KSMB from '79-'85; moved to L.A. to drum in a hair band on the Sunset Strip scene '85-'90; came back to complete degree, did part-time CHR radio; Classic Rock morning show 91-92; Sunday night specialty show on KSMB (CHR) from '93-'96 when the market had no modern rock station; came to KFTE in '97 as soon as they went on the air. Also owned and operated a record store, Toys Music, from '93 to 2004; ran a weekend only all-ages venue from March 2002 to July 2007. Currently in grad school, hoping for a master's in history.
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Selling cars in Los Angeles -- what a snake pit
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Either Hey Jude 45 or ABC 45
FIRST CONCERT:
Undoubtedly an opera -- my parents are classical musicians and opera freaks. First rock show was Grand Funk Railroad, Loyola Field House in New Orleans, 1969. My uncle was the head of security, so I saw a lot of shows there for a few years.
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
Favorites include Zep, Stones, Cure, Minutemen, Sonic Youth, John Coltrane, Joni Mitchell, and Prince.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
In 1972, saw a DJ do a break through a window in a mall when I was 12. Watched one break. Heard it on the small speaker they had at the top of the window for hearing the station. That one break permanently implanted radio DNA into my system. I walked away thinking, "I want to do that." Hung around KSMB (then AOR) once or twice a week, before and after school, until I graduated and went to Centenary in Shreveport.
2. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
WTIX-AM in New Orleans, then later Beeker Street from Little Rock, WLS from Chicago, and KSMB.
3. What led to your long-time running specialty show?
KROQ changed me in L.A. The late-80s was the best time to be there. Freddie Snakeskin, Jed, Rodney, Poorman, Richard Blade. Depeche ruled! I came back to Louisiana waving the alternative flag. Bobby Novosad (still to this day the PD at KSMB, now a CHR station) wanted a Sunday-night alt show in '92. When my morning show AOR gigged flipped to AC, I did a show for Bobby. When Planet Radio signed on in January of '97, it was obvious to all that it was a move I should make.
4. How would you describe Now Hear This?
Weekly vaccinations for those music-lovers who don't understand why The Cure and Jane's Addiction are in gold rotation on modern-rock stations but The Pixies aren't.
5. What is your show prep routine?
All week long I keep notes in a file on the computer about the news, happenings at the radio station, the entertainment world, etc. I spend pretty much the whole day on Sunday putting it all together and making decisions about what to play. Then I say a quick prayer to Saint Rodney Bingenheimer and drive to the station.
6. What keeps you driven and motivated to do the show each week?
The PD is kind enough to give me two free hours early on a Sunday evening on the #1 Large Market Radio Station in the state of Louisiana. I can play what I want -- old, new, comedy bits, tributes, and live bits or produced in advance. And tons of beautiful promo folks send me all kinds of great tunes in the mail. How lucky am I? I don't know how anyone could pass up a chance to do a specialty show.
7. What new bands are you most excited about?
I hope The Hold Steady will be around for a while. I also dig School Of Seven Bells, Mynx, NAAM, and Men Without Pants. And I love Isis, Mono, and The Paper Chase.
8. What do you like best about living in Lafayette, LA?
The people are genuine, and the food is the best in the world.
9. Tell us about your day job?
My what? Who you been talking to? I'm a professional student. Sometimes I teach high school.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ________ _?
Lots of coffee.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Jamming with friends, playing bass and drums. I love to cook, and I read voraciously. On the TIVO it's Breaking Bad, Rescue Me, In Plain Sight, Bones, and House.
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