10 Questions with ... Nerf

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started out driving the van for KROQ in February of 1998, and dabbled a little in Pirate Radio (KBLT) at the same time. In June of 1999 I got a gig as a board-op and promo assistant at KTCL in my hometown of Denver. I worked my way up through the ranks stopping at just about every title along the way until they gave me the PD title in April of 2006.

1. What do you like best about living in Denver?

Every single thing! It's my hometown. From the Broncos to the underground hip-hop scene... I love it! I lived in L.A. for seven years, and when I moved back to Denver, there was a short time that I missed L.A. I don't anymore. I'm convinced that this is the greatest city on earth. It's the leanest state in the country, yet more beer is produced here than any other state, AND we're #1 in Marijuana consumption per-capita! That's a state that looks great and parties hard!

2. How has PPM affected the radio station?

Our station was always too modest for the diary system. We could sell out shows, and help a client's sales, but no one admitted to listening to us because we didn't have that "in-your-face" attitude. We played good music, we were smart-asses, we were part of the community and culture, but we were largely overlooked. With PPM we got credit for listenership that we previously didn't get credit for. We had listeners that listen rather than fans that didn't. We'll take it.

3. What have been the highlights for KTCL in the PPM ratings?

We're now the #2 English speaking station 18-34 and top 10 with 25-54 year olds. Our 18-34 numbers are so consistent that they'd be boring if they weren't so refreshing. Our morning jock Goodman has hit the top 4 in books and #1 in weeklies all with one minute max breaks and playing music. We never insult the audience's taste or intelligence and it's paying off.

4. How has the station changed in the past year?

Not all that much. We didn't have the PPM failures that a lot of stations had to get rid of. No blathering shows torturing interns for the 50 millionth time, or psychics droning endlessly about people's futures. People in Denver responded adversely to the caricature of radio. Thankfully we weren't like that. We moved some spot blocks around, and freshened up some music strategy, but nothing you'd really notice as a listener.

5. What are your goals for KTCL in 2010?

In the 18-34 world here in Denver/Boulder, KXPK (Regional Mexican) and KQKS (Top 40/Rhythmic) are neck and neck and alternate for the #1 spot. KTCL after 32 years in operation has never been #2 18-34. The thing is that if you get to #2 in this market, you're probably also #1. I'd LOVE to make history for the station and set two rank records at once. We do well in the summer, so that might be our shot.

6. Two of your Current Power songs are unsigned. What's the story here?

I won't lie... it scares me a bit to be out on a limb like this, but I have to listen to my audience. Oh My Stars is a band out of Los Angeles that sounds like Queen on a murderous rampage! The song "Bloody November" did well in a music survey, then lit up the phones, and then tested GREAT! In fact it was the top testing song on the station for seven out of eight weeks! I Hate Kate - Free Without You is our newest power (of which we run three). This one is a little less shocking. We had two songs from I Hate Kate go to power before this one from their last album. The band has some name recognition here, and our listeners love them. Labels have a lot of ears all listening for a hit, but that doesn't mean that I should stop listening. I still listen to everything I'm sent from ANYBODY. There are some gems out there! Just because something isn't on the chart doesn't mean your audience won't like it, and recent history has proven that even if something is #1 on the Alternative chart it doesn't mean your audience WILL like it.

7. Who are the next up-and-coming local bands to watch out for?

I just heard some preliminary tracks from Rose Hill Drive that blew my mind! They're going in a new direction and sound AWESOME! I'm interested to see where The Rouge goes from here. They just got a deal with Atlantic, and though they're not a particularly mainstream sounding band, they're thrilling live, and have a sound that is right on time. I can't wait to see what's next for them. The Pirate Signal is a KILLER underground Hip-Hop group with some of the most intriguing beats I've heard in a while. I'm keeping an eye on them too. This town is exploding with talent these days. It's really cool.

8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Listen to everything.

9. What do you remember most about your first job in radio?

Man... it was KROQ... they get enough press don't they? I'll go in a different direction here... You've heard a lot about Kevin Weatherly if you're in this business, but what you might not have heard is that he's a really nice guy! I was a van driver, and he had NO obvious reason to aircheck me, but he did. He had no obvious reason to listen to bands that I brought him, but he did. Maybe his influence is why I'm so inclined to give everything a shot today.

10. What are you most passionate about?

I get a thrill out of introducing music to people. Whether it's throwing on an unsigned band at the peak of afternoon drive and fielding phone calls, or playing an old Fugazi song for my cousin Mike, when people fall in love with a band and you were the matchmaker, there's no feeling quite like it.

When you're away from work, what are you music listening habits to the radio, iPod, online, etc.?

I listen to CDs a ton still... many as "homework". I have an iPod touch that I listen to an unhealthy amount of Pissed Jeans on. This is going to sound like the company line but I swear it's legit: I listen to iHeartradio quite a bit. It's cool to check out other stations around the country without having to be in front of a computer. It's one of the best things CC has ever come up with!