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10 Questions with ... Andrew Wehrung
August 4, 2009
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NAME:Andrew WehrungTITLE:MD/AfternoonsSTATION:X1FMMARKET:WorldwideCOMPANY:BBCIBORN:San DiegoRAISED:San Diego
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I was one of the youngest interns that Clear Channel had in San Diego when I started out at 101KGB when I was a senior in high school. Then went on to college to become MD of Grossmont Community Colleges', KGFN. Interned at 91x, got a job as a production assistant, and then took a craigslist ad for a two shift a week DJ here at X1FM. Now I am MD/afternoons.
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Tower Records
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Not even joking about this. The first album I purchased with my money was Michael Jackson's, HIStory. Crazy that was 14 years ago.
FIRST CONCERT:
I went to see Brooks & Dunn with my mother for her birthday when I was 8.
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
Beach Boys
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I always wanted to work in some manner of music and since I never really learned how to play an instrument, I thought being a DJ might be the next best thing. A way for you to present the world with music that they may have never heard of, and more importantly to open up my ears to a whole new world of music.
2. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
Growing up all my parents listened to were oldies and classic rock. That being said, I listened to a lot of The Planet 103.7 and 94.9.
3. What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
I think every DJ has some sort of on-air personality when they are on-air. And I think when a lot of people meet me outside the mic, and in our case the camera, they seem that I am the same sarcastic easy going guy. Growing up listening to older radio I was always thinking about how boring and fake some of these guys and girls sounded and told myself when I got into this that I wanted to sound as real as possible on the air.
4. Tell us a little about X1FM?
X1FM is 24/7 internet-based multimedia broadcasting company that was started in 2006. We have four DJs from 7a-midnight five days a week with a DJ on Saturday and Sunday from 9-3p as well. I book a show once a week called The Open Door Sessions where we have one "underground" band come in and play a fully plugged in set in our state of the art performance studio. We offer it as a free and all ages show and have been doing it since December of 2008. We are very quickly making a name for ourselves around the world which has been goal number one -- broadcast and spread music around the world in a corporate free and organic environment.
5. What part of your job do you like best? Least?
The part I like best about my job is the fact that I get to deal with the thing I love most everyday, music. Though it kind of is a double-edged sword. As a DJ and a Music Director I go through music WAY faster than the normal person. I am daily checking handfuls of music blogs for that next big and best thing. So the best part also contributes to the worst part in that my musical taste and openness is smaller than I would like it to be because I am over saturated with music.
6. What would an outsider find most surprising about the X1FM?
I always find myself trying to reassure people that we are so much more than an internet station. We are not doing this out of a closet. We are doing this out of a nicer studio than most terrestrial stations. We have vans. We give away tickets (to worldwide things). We have a program director, art department, IT, MD, GM, and everything that a regular radio station does. Just no frequency. But with that non frequency we also don't have FCC regulations, commercials, and all the pointless things that a lot of terrestrial stations do.
7. How would you describe the music on the station?
I almost hate to say it because it's such a broad term, but it is Alternative through and through. From bands dating back to the '70s all the way to the band that just got signed yesterday, we play it all. But what really stands out to me is that it's not all singles. In fact, you will hear more album cuts than singles if you listen to X1FM.
8. What do you like best about living in San Diego?
You can literally do everything you want to do within a couple hours of San Diego -- beach, mountains, desert, etc. You have it all. A day cannot go by with you saying "there is nothing to do in this city!"
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
I could be witty and say Insulin (I have type 1 diabetes). But I will go with the internet.
10. What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I was a week and a half away and already enrolled in the fire academy when I decided to drop out and pursue this career. It is a family trade and would still very much like to pursue it one day. But I am content, happy, and extremely proud of myself with what I am doing now.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Music in general is probably my biggest hobby. Whether it is attempting to play, going to shows, hanging out in studios, record shopping, etc., I enjoy it all. I enjoy the outdoors a lot. I camp whenever I get a chance. I also play disc golf and football regularly. I am a definite nerd because whenever I am at home I am playing video games or browsing the internet. Huge reality TV fan as well.
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