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10 Questions with ... Lara Scott
June 30, 2008
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NAME:Lara ScottTITLE:MiddaysSTATION:KFSH 95.9 The FishMARKET:Los AngelesCOMPANY:Salem CommunicationsBORN:Florida, back in the day!RAISED:Florida and Oregon
Brief Career Synopsis:
I got into radio in Oregon and then moved to San Francisco and then L.A. My first job here in LA was with Hot AC KYSR and I've been with The Fish for a little over two years now.
1) What was your first job in radio? Who were your early influences and/or mentors?
I got into radio right out of high school! I was 17 and a friend of mine dared me to call the local radio station and see if they were hiring. I think she wanted to meet their new morning guy, who we all thought sounded cute. [Smile] The gal I spoke with told me to come in as they were desperate for anyone who would work overnights, weekends and holidays to keep the station on the air (this was before computers got big!). Two days later I did my first six-hour shift and I was atrocious! As for early influences, every week I was glued to my radio to hear Rick Dees and Joel Denver. And I am so grateful to all the wonderful PDs I've worked with over the years who have always been so kind and helpful: people like Bill Minckler, Alan Lawson, Ken Benson, Mark Adams, Angela Perelli, and Chuck Tyler and Chuck Finney.
2) How do you prepare for your show each day? What's your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge is figuring out how to connect over :10 intros! I feel like I'm always prepping as I'm constantly scribbling down observations, artist info, something interesting online, things my friends say that I want to share, etc.
3) What is your most memorable on-air moment? Best or worst interview?
WOW! There are so many! Getting to meet and interview Duran Duran (I had the Fab 5 all over my walls as a kid, and they were so nice and fun when I spoke with them). My first shifts in Bend, Portland, San Francisco and L.A.. Doing fundraisers and feeling like we're making a difference. My 70-something Dad taking over my former night show and giving away tickets to Prince and then flirting with the gal that won. Answering a call at KYSR, becoming friends with the guy that called (whose single dad was dating my best friend's single mom we found out) and then meeting my husband through him.
The worst interview shall remain nameless but it happened a few years ago. A certain rocker had been brought in to host my '80s lunch hour but he froze up when the mic came on. I opened my mic and started asking questions and then he would NOD an answer "yes" or "no." It was a very looooooong hour!
4) Who is your favorite air personality not at your station?
OK, I have a hard time giving just ONE answer to all of these questions! There are so many amazing and wonderful people that inspire me: The Dees, Delilah, Jayar, Bonnie Curry, Lisa Williams, Brad Chambers and Daisy Torme (I used to work with them at a standards radio station), Gary Bryan, Wall E. and everyone on Way-FM, Blake on Radio Disney (my guilty pleasure). I could go on and on. I am a real fan of radio and I'm that person that turns up the volume when the jock comes on!
5) You recently received the President's Volunteer Service Award. What did that feel like? Were you surprised?
I still can't believe this happened to me! I am so honored and humbled by all of this. Most of that day is a blur and I was crying through the whole thing, so I remember meeting Michael W. Smith (who surprised me with the award) and thinking, "My mascara is running down my face and my self-tanner is streaking!"
You know what? There are so many people I know that deserve this so much more than me and I am honored to work with them and their organizations. I truly hope that people who knew me before I came back to the Lord a few years ago hear about me winning this and go, "How can this be the girl we knew?" I hope that people will see what God has done in my life and how he has truly changed my heart to give me a love for service and helping others and that he can do the same for them.
6) If you were just starting out in radio today, but you knew what you know now, would you continue forward? Anything you would do differently?
I would definitely continue as it's hard for me to imagine doing anything else. I love radio! However I would have spent more time learning production/imaging/computers.
7) If you could have any job outside the music business, what would it be?
Professional dog walker!!!
8) What is the most precious memory of your life so far?
I have three: Walking back into a church for the first time in 20 years, watching my husband try not to cry at our wedding, and hearing my little nephew say he loved me for the first time.
9) If you could ask God about anything, what would it be?
I would ask how he is able to take the hardest, most awful things and work them out for good.
10) You used to be in Portland, right? If you could take your favorite parts of Portland with your favorite parts of L.A. and mash them together, what would your new home city look, sound, smell like?
After living in L.A. since 2008 and spending a LOT of time in the car, my new home would have everything be a five-minute walk away. My new home city (Port Angeles?) would be green and lush with rivers running through it and the ocean nearby. Also, a mountain for snowboarding! It would smell like freshly cut grass, laundry straight from the dryer and freshly-ground coffee no matter where you went. And you would constantly hear fabulous music pouring out of the many small, cool venues for live music.
Bonus Questions
1) Do you read everything or nothing? Do you have a favorite book, magazine, newspaper?
EVERYTHING!!!! I love Hemingway, Dallas Willard, Karen Kingsbury, "People Magazine," Kristen Billerbeck and I am currently working my way through "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. I also love that I can now read the Bible on my phone!
2) What's in your stereo or on your iPod right now?
Brooke Fraser (thank you, Jackie, for telling me about her!) and Michael Buble
3) Do you have musical guilty pleasures?
Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers!
4) Cat or dog person?
Both. At one point I had seven cats and one dog all living with me!
5) Describe your favorite meal.
The tofu lettuce wraps and orange peel shrimp at P.F. Chang's, followed by any kind of tea latte from The Coffee Bean. Yum!
6) Stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want with you and why?
My phone so I could call for help and read the Bible (see question one!), a machete-type knife so I could open coconuts and drink them, and some lip gloss that could also work as cuticle cream and shiny eye and cheek highlighter.
7) Favorite TV program of all-time:
LOST!!!
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