10 Questions with ... Hoss Michaels

NAME:Hoss Michaels TITLE:PD/Afternoons STATION:KZKX MARKET:Lincoln, NE COMPANY:3 Eagles Communications BORN:Fremont, NE RAISED:Arlington, NE

Please outline your radio career so far:

College radio (Northwest Missouri State University): KDLX-FM (CHR) & KXCV-FM (Classical)- Maryville, MO - 1987-1991. Intern at KXKT-FM (CHR) in Omaha - 1990, Mornings at KKSI-FM (AC) Oskaloosa, IA - 1992-1993, Mornings/PD at KRTI-FM (Hot AC) Grinnell/Newton , IA - 1993-1994, PD/GM at KXBZ-FM (Country) Manhattan, KS - 1994-1998, Promotions Director at KBEQ-FM (Country) Kansas City -1998-2004, PM Drive at KZKX-FM (Country) Lincoln, NE - 2004 to present. Program Director of KZKX-FM (Country) Lincoln, NE - 2007 to present.

1) You did Top-40 before you worked in Country- why did you make the switch?

I made the switch since I was offered a job! :) Actually, I was looking for a job in a "bigger" market. I applied for a job at KBEQ in KC to work overnights. I didn't get that gig, but was given a great opportunity by Mike Kennedy (PD of KBEQ). Mike was in the process of starting a station in Manhattan, KS that he owned. He was looking for someone with "start up" experience, which I had. I told him I could do that, but didn't have any experience with "country". He said, "You'll pick it up quickly, you're gonna love it."

What was the transition like?

The transition came pretty easy for me. I grew up with country music in my house, so I knew some of the classic artists like Waylon Jennings, Buck Owen and Willie Nelson. Getting acquainted with the "new" artists at the time like: Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith was something I "had to do." I was watching as much CMT as I could and reading every article that was out there, so I could get up to speed. I was amazed how accessible most country artists were - and still are. It's truly something special in the country format.

2) Do you think it's important for air personalities to like Country music?

I think so. Country music fans are loyal and genuine. I think they can sense when someone is just "phoning it in."

3) You have two little girls- Samantha and Sydney- how do you balance between going 90-miles an hour at work to being a family guy?

It's difficult at times. First and foremost, I married my best friend. My wife Renee understands the demands of radio with things like late nights at concerts to weekend shifts to being at the station during severe weather. She may not like those things, but she knows that I'm passionate about the radio station and doing things right. Syd (7 yrs old) and Sam (4 yrs old) are just like any other kids, they want to show me their new Webkinz or they want to go out and ride bikes and play. All of a sudden, worrying about air-checking the staff or looking for other ways to squeeze the budget doesn't matter. When I'm home, I try to stay focused on "the home" stuff.

4) What made you want to get into radio in the first place?

When I was in sixth-grade, my parents gave me an AM/FM cassette boom-box. After I was "supposed" to be sleeping, I'd grab my headphones and listen to WLS in Chicago along with other AM stations around the country. I was mesmerized that someone in Chicago could be talking about a traffic tie-up on Lake Shore Drive and I'm hearing about it, hours away in Arlington, NE. I was hearing it, just like I was a resident of Chicago. I remember thinking, "How cool is that?" and telling my friends the next day at school about this accident in Chicago that happened close to Lake Michigan. Of course, most of my friends just looked and thought, "How weird are you?" :)

5) Knowing now what you didn't know then (isn't that a Faces song), would you still do it (radio)?

Absolutely! Radio has been and continues to be a great adventure for me. The relationships that I've had with people "in radio" can never be replaced. I try to stay in contact with people from almost every stop in my radio career. Mike Kennedy and the staff at KBEQ in Kansas City is one of the best I've seen. They taught me a lot. The staff at 96KX is top-notch from Carol & Mick (AM Show) to Kelly Garrett (Mid-Days) and Dayna (Nights). I enjoy coming to the station every day with this team.

6) If I were to spend a couple of days in Omaha where would you take me?

I'd drive past the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, then head West on I-80 to Lincoln so you could see this great town. :)

7) Do your daughters like listening to you and do they like Country music?

They do listen and like country music. I do squirm a bit when they call me on the request line and ask for songs like: "Last Name" from Carrie Underwood or "She's A Hottie" from Toby Keith. To them, those songs are just fun to sing along with. But they also love to sing along with "Last Dollar" from Tim McGraw and "Watching You" from Rodney Atkins.

8) How about all this great Country music right now- what are some of the new artists and songs that you are really high on?

There really is some great music out there right now. Jason Aldean's CD "Relentless" is one of my favorites. Keith Anderson's "I Still Miss You" is great. I also really like Lady Antebellum's sound.

9) I see lots of great songs slipping through the cracks because of many different factors, from playlist size, songs lingering 30 weeks, etc. Give us an idea or two how we can deal with some of these issues.

It's tough out there for artists trying to have their songs played on the radio. I think at times, too many PD's just look "at the research" and don't trust their gut instinct. Looking at research should be a part of the equations, just not the only factor on what makes it. I think it's okay to step outside of the boundaries on occasion and play a song a few times for your audience. See what they truly think. PD's might be surprised at what they hear from their audience.

10) Do you like to see artists that already have a 'story' before you take a shot on them, such as Taylor Swift being fairly well known on MySpace? Is that a plus?

It doesn't hurt. I try to keep an open mind about all the music that is available to us to play. Our audience expects to hear the latest from George Strait and Kenny Chesney, so, those types of songs we need to play. But you also may find a gem waiting in the stack of CDs from an artist/group that you've never heard of.

1) When did you get the nickname 'Hoss,' and why? And if that is your birth name then I guess mom and dad were big fans of the TV show Ponderosa.

I get that question a lot. The name Hoss was given to me by Mike Kennedy from KBEQ. I was interviewing with Mike for an over-night position at KBEQ. He told me that I needed to pull a shift that weekend. Just as I was standing up to leave his office, I asked him what name he'd like me to use since I was using "Jeff St. James" at the station in Iowa where I was working. Mike looked at me and said, "You're what? 6' 6" or so? There's only one name for you- Hoss."

2) Aside from Country what do you like to listen to- and how do you listen- discs, iPod, etc.

I'm all over the road when it comes to my musical tastes. I like to listen to Ray Charles to Barry Manilow and Chicago to Velvet Revolver. My home music collection is still on CDs. I know, I should probably get "hip" and put'em on an iPod or something.

3) Favorite junk food?

Chips & Salsa

4) First album you ever bought?

Boston - "Boston"