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10 Questions with ... Steve Etheridge "Uncle Steve"
June 19, 2006
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NAME:Steve Etheridge "Uncle Steve"TITLE:PD/MorningsSTATIONS:KBIQMARKET:Colorado SpringsCOMPANY:Salem CommunicationsBORN:McAlester, OKRAISED:Oklahoma, North Carolina, Arkansas
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
From 1992-99, I was at KKCS/Country in Colorado Springs, first as a part-time weekender; then I became production director; followed by afternoon drive; then later morning drive. I started at KBIQ in 2000 as the afternoon drive jock, then drew the short straw and was appointed to program director and morning jock in 2001.
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I was a board operator for a small, AM Christian station in Fountain, Colorado. I played programs off cassette and reel-to-reel. Influences were Mountain Dew, The Flintstones, my riff-raff friends. Or did you mean in radio?
2) What do you think is the most important topic facing the Music Business and Radio right now? Why?
iPods. Radio can't dismiss this device as just "another Walkman". Podcasting our stations is a start, but we better figure out how we can become a better player in the on-demand music market.
3) Can you be a boss and also a friend to your employees?
I can be whatever I want to with a heartfelt, threatening memo.
4) What do you like best about your job? Least?
Best: the entire KBIQ team, our listeners, our clients, the music
Least: unproductive meetings, lack of time5) Who is your favorite air/personality not on your air staff?
Kevin & Taylor with WFSH - Atlanta. They're extremely entertaining on-air and the handful of times I've been around them, all we do is laugh!
6) What is your favorite radio station outside of your own market?
WFSH - Atlanta. KLTY - Dallas. KCMS - Seattle.
7) If you could add any one full-time position to your budget, with no questions asked, what would it be?
Morning show dancers. Listeners couldn't see 'em, but who cares?
8) If you could have any job outside the music business, what would it be?
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts product tester.
9) Any funny/favorite artist run-ins?
In 2001, I was new to the format and attending my first GMA Week in Nashville. During the Artist Reception in the Renaissance Hotel Ballroom I noticed all these people gathering around this guy. So I leaned over and asked my O.M. who he was... it was like one of those old E.F. Hutton TV commercials where everyone just stopped and stared at me. In total embarrassment my co-worker says, "man, that's Michael W. Smith!!!"
10) What book have you read that has touched you or taught you the most?
"When Bad Christians Happen to Good People" by Dave Burchett. Invaluable in understanding how people who claim to follow Christ can be so cruel and unforgiving; yet it's still our duty to love and minister to one another.
Bonus Questions
1) What is the most precious memory of your life so far?
The birth of my daughter. She was messy, but she seemed like a keeper.
2 ) If you could ask God about anything, what would it be?
Was bottled water TRULY necessary?
3) Do you have Musical Guilty Pleasures?
Tony Orlando & Dawn is totally phat!
4) If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you want with you and why?
NASCAR magazines. I'm a closet redneck. THERE!!! I said it!
Toilet paper. Is an explanation REALLY necessary?
"Wilson" He seems like a good conversationalist as far as volleyballs go, plus he's a fine actor.
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