10 Questions with ... Rick 'Bubba' Taylor

NAME:Rick 'Bubba' Taylor TITLE:APD/MD/middays STATION:KUPL MARKET:Portland, OR COMPANY:CBS Radio BORN:Prineville, Oregon (in the sticks) RAISED:Portland, Oregon

Please outline your career so far:

I realized at an early age that I was too short for basketball, not fast enough for football and a little tempo challenged to attempt an instrument, thank goodness my high school had a radio station, KBPS. My first paid radio gig was at 14, I worked at Top 40 KGW from age 15 to 17 until I was offered full-time evenings at KPAM the number #1 FM Top 40 station in Portland. I spent almost 5 years as a screaming Top 40 jock before I experienced my first firing, or as they put it taking the station a new direction. That saying when one door closes another opens is true in my case. I tried my hand at Adult Contemporary playing Michael Jackson to Frank Sinatra on KEX Portland. In 1980 Urban Cowboy hit and KWJJ (now The Wolf) offered me a full-time evenings playing country. I stayed there until PD Bill Bradley from 98.7 KUPL offered me midday's nearly 24 years ago. I eventually moved to mornings, than afternoons for 13 years and back to midday's where I love it! This day part feels the best to me, especially holding down APD/MD responsibilities for the past 15 years.

1) First things first- you were just married a few weeks ago in Hawaii and we saw some photos of your beautiful bride Kristine. Congrats, you married 'up'! How are the newlyweds doing so far? (Thanks for the invite by the way).

We are doing great! Blending two families can sometimes be a challenge, but it's been relatively smooth. The only problem about getting married in Hawaii is that tourists in the hotel kept asking me to carry their luggage.

2) You have been at KUPL for 24-years and in the Portland market in general, since you were 14! That's unheard of today- tell us a bit about the history of a great market like Portland and more specifically, KUPL.

I was born a raised in Portland and never traveled much until a few years ago. Now that I've had a chance to experience some other areas I have a new love for Portland. We are literally one hour from one of the most beautiful coastlines in the country and one hour to some of the best snow skiing in the west. Portland is a big city in blue jeans with an advanced high tech industry and slow paced lifestyle that enjoys a micro brew while taking in all four seasons.

3) So we're hearing that you have quite the groovy bar in your basement- and a Karaoke machine. Please tell us that your PD Johnny Paul doesn't come over and belt out Elvis tunes.

Elvis tunes, I wish!! He's famous for singing Chef's "Chocolate Salty Balls" from South Park.

4) Speaking of John Paul, is it true that you gave him a coffee mug at a KUPL remote when he was 11? First of all, he's only 17 now, so how can that be?

John Paul is the Dick Clark of Portland. He's actually 62 years old. I did give little Johnny Paul a KUPL coffee mug when he begged his dad to load him up in the car and bring him to one of my appearances. Little did I know that snot nosed little boy from Longview, Washington would be my boss someday! Just goes to show you, be nice to everyone you meet.

5) Things have changed tremendously in 24 years tell us about some of the things that were harder to adapt to than others and some of the other changes that made your life easier.

Computers and Internet have made my life easier for prepping my show. I'm glad I could give up subscription to Electric Weenie and Galaxy. The biggest challenge would be talking like a real person - I come from a radio era of 1970s Top 40 jocks that ramped up the post shouting little zingers and talked like big voice air talent. I credit John Paul, Tommy Crammer and Jaye Albright for helping me sound like a regular guy again. I like to say it's so easy that it's hard, but if you stay teachable and apply your knowledge it's possible.

6) Are you still having fun?

I was the little kid in 5th grade that my teacher wrote on my report card, "If this child doesn't stop talking in class, he will never amount to anything," now I'm paid to talk and have fun doing it! I can honestly say that I've never regretted coming to work or going into the studio with my headphones. If you find a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life; I'm living my dream and feel so blessed to be in a profession that I'm passionate about.

7) I bet you know tons of listeners that you have bonded with and connected with over the years. Do you get invited to weddings- stuff like that?

I've been invited by listeners to funerals, weddings, anniversaries and birthday parties. It's quite amazing how you weave your way into their lives each day on the radio. I even had a listener I never met leave me in his will; he left me his record collection of old Johnny Cash music.

8) Say I were to make it to Portland, you know, actually get an 'invite' from Johnny Paul, like some of his other buddies already have, what places would you insist on taking me before I left to show off your city- and more importantly, where would we eat and what kinds of beer would we drink?

Portland is known for microbrews and great restaurants. I would first take you to the Rose Garden with a breath taking view of Portland and only 5 minute from downtown. We're also known as the Rose City and you'd be amazed on how many different kinds of roses there are in the garden. Next would be the beautiful Oregon coast about an hour away, with lots of cool shops and restaurants. Each town along the coast has its own personality. If you're into beer, we have a lots of it - oh excuse me, micro brews - we'd go to Portland Brewing Company to Bridgeport Ale House with lots of yummy food and plenty of seasonal brews to wash it down.

9) You have met lots of artists- tell us a couple that you were REALLY impressed with?

Phil Vassar is not only extremely talented as a writer and artist, but a great guy - I'd love to have him as a neighbor if I could afford the high rent. He's top shelf! Taylor Swift is definitely my favorite newer artist, very real, sincere, talented and relates to a wide spectrum of audience. I think she's a wonderful ambassador of our format. And one more - Merle Haggard is the man; I love Merle because he's Merle!

10) Name three CDs that you'd carry out of a burning building.

Clay Davidson's "Unconditional," Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me" and my Merle Haggard box set.

1. Tell us one or two 'fun facts' about Rick Taylor that most people wouldn't know.

I was on America's Funniest Videos with Bob Saget in 1992 with my family video called "Ice Cream Man."

2. I almost forgot to ask- how long have people been calling you Bubba and why? I mean you're from Hawaii, not Georgia.

I found out that the nickname "Bubba" originally came from Hawaii, it's means brotha or friend. When my kids were born my co-worker use to call my son Bubs and my daughter Bubbette, he's would walk around the hallway asking me "Bubba, how's my Bubs and Bubbette doing?" and everyone around the station started calling me Bubba - it was either that or the Asian Elvis or Honky Tonk Hawaiian.

3) Did you really have a part in a motion picture once?

Yes, it was in 1990 called "Come See The Paradise" a 20th Century Fox film directed by Alan Parker (director of Mississippi Burning) starring Dennis Quaid and Tamlyn Tomita. I'm the guy 10 minutes into the movie carrying the chairs in the social club and I make a few appearances throughout the movie - don't blink.