10 Questions with ... Sophia John

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I made my mark at KKDM in Des Moines, discovered, developed, and signed Slipknot to Roadrunner Records in 1998.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I use to listen to the radio when I was younger, then went to college under law, and quickly ran to radio.

2. What was your favorite station to listen to growing up?

I listened to Sweet 98 (KQKQ). I remember the music and a DJ named John Jeffries and a contest they use to do once a year called "Super Mouth" where one listener got an overnight position at the station...the job of a life time!

3. What part of your job do you like best?

Best: Breaking new music and going to concerts.

Least: Politics, the politics of different personalities.

4. How would you describe the music and imaging on The River?

The music is aggressive, could be Alternative, could be Active Rock but it's guaranteed to be first and established on The River. Imaging is basic and only lends to the music.

5. What makes the station unique?

The different styles of music, the community events and the fact that we are non-commercial station with higher ratings than 70% of the commercial stations in the market. We are rated by Arbitron!

6. What would an outsider find most surprising about the Omaha radio market?

That we really aren't about the indie music scene (Bright Eyes, Cursive and The Faint are from here).

7. What are you most proud of since joining KIWR?

Cleaning up the image, making the station legit and a real competitor to the commercial stations without sacrificing anything.

8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without __________?

A DIET COKE!

9. What would surprise people most about you?

That I'm not really a metal head.

10. If you decided to completely change careers today what would you do?

I'd own my own restaurant.

What are your hobbies?

Cooking, working out, and animal causes

Last non-industry job?

In 2002, I was working for my family at the Greek Restaurant they own in Lincoln, NE.

First record ever purchased?

Eddy Grant

First concert?

Billy Joel

Favorite band of all-time?

Nine Inch Nails