10 Questions with ... Donna Cruz

1. How in the world did you even get into radio?

It was the week before Thanksgiving, and I walked into work to find the place cleaned out. The owners of the magazine I was working for just disappeared. It was the kind of directory magazine where you call into a central number, put in a four-digit code to hear things like movie schedules, community activities and things like that. So, part of my job there was recording the announcements. I was at a loss as to what my next steps would be when someone said, "you seemed pretty good at recording those sponsorships, why don't you do tv and radio commercials?" So, I literally used my last $75 to put a demo together and shopped it around (on cassette) to creative directors at ad agencies around El Paso. Within a couple of days, I was hired to do some Ford Dealership commercials and made $200. It was an exciting day for a 19-year-old! The guy who hired me for the commercials introduced me to a community supported jazz station (KXCR) where I started volunteering, eventually went on staff, and was hired on at the local CHR (Power 102) a couple of months after that. It was really a whirlwind!

2. What's one thing you wish you had known about radio when you first started?

Wow! Where to start? Trying to copy anyone else won't help you develop into an authentic personality who truly connects with others, peers are so willing to help if you just ask and being willing to work the hours no one else wants to can help build up the "equity" that will give you confidence to ask for more responsibilities and more enjoyable dayparts. So, I guess it's more like these are things I learned very early on having zero radio experience.

3. How has God pulled you out of your comfort zone?

You mean today? (haha) When I first started my relationship with God, I was working at a rock station in San Antonio. Soon after that I had my eyes on major market radio even though God had tugged at my heart to pivot after 14 years of mainstream radio and TV to move towards ministry. I decided to follow MY plan instead of His. I landed at KS95 in Minneapolis. I would bring my bible to the station with me and was literally made fun of - by grown-ups. My boss told me straight out, "Don't come in here preaching your God stuff. I'm just telling now". I was in this awkward place of doing nightclub remotes, dating as a single mom, and very involved in our church. So, the pieces of my life just really weren't fitting together. That's when I connected with Doug Hannah and WAY-FM in South Florida. There I was, the most prestigious gig I've ever had, looking at my renewal contract on my desk along side a very hefty endorsement deal and decided to take a 45% pay cut, pack up the first home I'd ever purchased (11 months in) and made the move. By the way, the house went up for sale in winter (in the twin cities) and sold to the first person who looked at it in just two weeks. God was moving.

4. Some great advice you recently received was…

about a really personal issue. To not allow what others do, say, think, or feel to infiltrate my demeanor. This is different from empathy in the way of letting my mood and temperament to be determined by others' actions. Simply allowing my joy to be overridden. That's right up there with hope! We need to feel both every day.

5. Tell us about someone who you really respect and why?

This is hard! Have respect for people who do the right thing when it's not easy. My husband Don and I got married in 2017 after we dated for a few years. At first, we both still had a son each living at home. They are now out on their own. My middle daughter was in prison and my oldest was in another state. I've had custody of two (formerly) little ones for about 13 years. We could have been empty nesters, making time for travel and fun yet he took on the role of co-parenting with me. This has not been an easy choice as they are now quite typical teenagers and reliving THAT stage is a challenge, but we are in it together.

6. What's one thing you try to do when life gets hard?

Rest, walk in my garden and honestly just pray short prayers and listen hard for the answers.

7. What's something about you that would surprise most people?

I was a competition body builder in my 20's and lately I am relearning to play the clarinet.

8. What's your go to song when the windows are down and you're driving on the highway?

"Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran. It reminds me of when my husband and I got married. Such a really happy season.

9. In three words describe your ideal vacation.

Beach, pool, and rest.

10. Tell us one thing that you bought recently that WASN'T on your grocery list.

Peppermint flavored coffee.