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10 Questions with ... Greg Glover
April 20, 2010
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Moved to NYC in 1995 and began working for London Records as an assistant in A&R, Promotion & Publicity. Started the indie record label The Arena Rock Recording Company as a hobby and signed Harvey Danger in 1997 (eventually bringing them to Slash/London). Promoted to VP of A&R in 1998. In 2004 I was hired by KNRK to host "Alternative Mornings" (6-10a weekdays) and began a specialty show "The Bottom Forty" (8-10p Sundays).
1. How did you become interested in radio?
Before MTV came along, my music taste was pretty much formed by radio in the '70s. I can remember falling asleep to the radio as a kid trying to tune in the faraway AM stations. Then FM came along I went from loving Top 40 to loving AOR by the age of 10.
2. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
There was a station in Birmingham circa '76-'80 (WRKK"'K-99") and their slogan was "The Alternative." You gotta remember this is the '70s in Birmingham, Alabama! It seemed so far ahead of it's time. It blew my young mind to hear Elvis Costello, Bruce Cockburn, and Warren Zevon along with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Oyster Cult, and Boston and I absolutely loved it! Also, the DJs weren't called "Coyote" or "Disco" this-or-that but were simply "Paul" and "Dave." History tells us they were voice-tracked but it didn't matter. The delivery was cool but not too cool and the focus was on the music and not the jocks.
3. What part of your job do you like best? Least?
I love that happy hour can start at 2p if I want it to! The worst part about doing mornings is the early rise. I've NEVER gotten used to it.
4. How would you describe your morning show?
I often call it the "anti-morning zoo." A less-sleepy NPR but with music, perhaps? There's definitely no bullhorn or whoopie cushion anywhere near me! Actually, I'm no different than the audience besides the fact I'm the one with the microphone. Here in Portland we like a lot of coffee, no nonsense, and a ton of great music in the morning. I'll often throw in interesting news or a local story or event when it's timely but try to keep it concise and then it's back to the music.
5. How has the PPM affected your morning show?
What we're seeing is that the PPM is benefitting music-intensive morning shows like ours. It's a steady build around 7:30a and by the end of the 8a hour we're a solid top 3 in every demo.
6. What led to your two-hour specialty show, The Bottom Forty?
I simply asked Mark Hamilton (PD) if I could do the show and he was open to the idea. I then put together a one-hour "pilot" to air and was pretty nervous as I knew he'd be listening. After the show he called me to say that he had a problem with it. Turns out his "problem" was that he thought the show was too short! So, for five plus years now we've been two hours other than that first week!
7. What keeps you driven and motivated to do your specialty show each week?
Every week I discover or re-discover tons of fantastic music from all genres and I simply love sharing it with other people. Plus, I'm obsessive compulsive and have a lot of help from my producer, Brian Blair (Not A Problem Productions).
8. Tell us about what makes The Bottom Forty unique and your future plans for the show?
Well, I think any specialty show should be a reflection of the person who hosts it. I just hope to offer listeners a bit of informative insight into a wide array of music whether it is: THEN, NOW, or NEXT. Eventually, I'd like to get The Bottom Forty on in a handful of other markets around the country.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________?
A boatload of iced coffee at the beginning, a workout in the middle, and winding it down by spending quality time at home with my girlfriend Teresa and our four cats: Kudzu, Lyla, Dixie & Genesis.
10. What would surprise people most about you?
I'm scared to death of public speaking.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Following Alabama Crimson Tide football and collecting old vinyl, belt buckles, and promo posters of yesteryear.
Last non-industry job?
Record store clerk (of course!)
First record(s) ever purchased?
Alice Cooper 'Goes To Hell' and Steely Dan 'Aja' from Oz Records (R.I.P.) in Midfield, AL
First concert?
When I was 8 years old my mom took me to see Alice Cooper with special guests: AC/DC (w/ Bon Scott!). I have a cool mom.
Favorite band of all-time?
This is an impossible question for me to answer. It's a three-way-tie for first-place: The Beatles, R.E.M. and The Replacements.
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