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10 Questions with ... Jody Jo Mize
May 6, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started in radio when I was 15 years old. My dad was country radio veteran Lee Nye, so it was in the blood. I started out doing weekends and overnights for several Country stations my dad was involved in. Most of my radio career has been mostly in Fresno and in Country music.
I started at (KSKS) Kiss Country in 1993 doing overnights and fill in. Then I moved across the street to do mornings on Outlaw Country 101. When that station folded, I went to our sister station, which was then Fresno heritage country station, KNAX.
From there I packed up and moved to San Luis Obispo and did middays at Classic Rock
93-3 KZOZ for a year and a half. I got engaged and missed Fresno, so I moved back and worked Metro Traffic in Fresno for 2 years,
I was hired at Kiss country in 2001 to co-host the morning show and was the Music Director until 2007. I then took a few years off to be with my kids, came back to radio in 2009 and hosted the morning show for Classic Hits, KHIT in Fresno. Now I am back at Kiss Country to co-host the morning show and am also the Music Director.
1) I know your dad was in radio as well. Did he encourage you to go after a career in radio and how did you get your start?
He only encouraged what I wanted to do. At 15 I knew radio was what I wanted to do after being raised in a radio station! I was the jocks best friend. I pulled and put away carts and records. Oh yes, before computers did all the work for us. Then when I was 15 he took on a Sunday afternoon shift at the station he was managing and brought me in to fine tune my skills. Listening back to my first airchecks he should have encouraged me to be a florist!!
2) What is the best advice your Dad gave you about radio and did you take it?
He told me to always be the same on the air as off the air, and YES I took it and RAN!
3) Most of your career has been in Fresno- what is the best part about living there?
Of course my family. I have lived here so long the community is part of me. Plus we have some kick ass hole in the wall bars! :)
4) How do you think is the best way to stay connected to your listeners?
Be their friend, let them in on who your family is, talk about local places you go and remind them you are not any better than them. We are the same person, I just happened to have a cool ass job!
5) Now that you are handling MD duties and on air, what do you like best- being on air or programming?
That is tough because I love them both. On air, because I get to be creative and laugh for a living. Programming, because of the relationships and helping to build a station!
6) What is your favorite promotion you have been able to be a part of over the years and why does it stick out to you?
We have given away cars, cash and all sorts of big prizes, but what I love the most is our "Kiss Country At Work Salute." It's a daily giveaway 3 times a day to say thanks to those who listen to Kiss Country at work. There is always a great prize, concert tickets, rodeo tickets, gas gift cards etc. It continues every week all year long. It keeps the listener engaged all day and gives them a sense that they can win!
7) Tell us what is coming up with Spring and Summer at KSKS that you are most excited about!
Soooo excited about our $5 concert series. Once a month starting in May and ending in September we have a $5 concert in our local park with three to four acts each. It's sooo fun and 3,000 listeners get to take the family out CHEAP with some AMAZING entertainment!!
8) When you had your kids, you took a few years off but now you are back and going strong. How do you manage to balance your job and your family time?
It's not easy, but I promised I would always be there to get the girls from school and I try to keep working from home to a minimum! It helps that I have a supportive radio family at work!
9) Who are your top three favorite Country artists to interview and why?
Jerrod Niemann- He always has a story and can make anyone laugh!
Brantley Gilbert- Cause it's easy to make him blush!
Keith Urban- Duh cause of the accent and because he went with anything we threw at him. He was a real kick in the pants.
10) I know you love Fresno so that might not ever happen but if you had to pick one other market to try out now what would it be?
That is tough, probably Los Angeles or somewhere in Texas
Bonus Questions
1) What are your favorite snacks to keep around the studio?
I always have Smarties on my desk, Doritos and string cheese.
2) What is the first concert you ever attended?
It was such a cool concert!! Juice Newton and Johnny Cash in Sacramento!!! I couldn't sit still!
3) If you could take off on a dream vacation tomorrow, where would you want to go?
HAWAII!! I've never been! Or New York, NEVER BEEN THERE EITHER!
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