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10 Questions with ... Rik Mikals
February 21, 2006
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NAME:Rik MikalsTITLE:PDSTATION:KBKO-FM (The Big 965)MARKET:Bakersfield, CACOMPANY:Clear Channel RadioBORN:5/29/70RAISED:Clarkston Washington/Lewiston Idaho
Brief Career Synopsis:
KCLK-KATW-KFTZ-KID-FM-KPQX 1988-1996
The Research Group Seattle, WA (AC programmer) 1996-1998
Virtual Radio Programming Seattle WA 1998
KMPS-FM 1998 Seattle WA
KFFM-FM and KQSN-FM Yakima WA Program Director 1998-1999
KATW-FM 1999-2000 Lewiston ID- Program Director
KOZE-FM 2000-2001 Lewiston ID - Afternoons
KQSN-FM 2001- 2003 Yakima WA- Program Director/Mornings
KDBL-FM 2002-2005 Yakima WA - Program Director / Mornings
KBKO-FM 2005 - Present Bakersfield CA - Program Director1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
My first job was overnight Saturday and Sunday nights for KCLK-FM in Clarkston, Washington. Ironically, I was told I didn't sound country and was let go after a year. A few years later this guy named Garth Brooks comes along and suddenly Country stations where looking for guys who didn't "sound" country.
My all-time favorite announcer was Broadway Bill Lee, discovered him on an old R&R produced aircheck. Mark (Jeffries) Bolland and Tracy Mitchell from KJR fame taught me a lot in those early years.
2) Can you be a boss and also a friend to your employees?
It's such a fine line and once you cross that line, you'll struggle to get your employees to understand that the business of the radio station overweighs any personal involvement you have with them. It also comes down with the maturity of the staff and you as a program director/boss are accountable for all your staff's actions. You can't always serve two masters.
3) Of all the skills that you've gained as a programmer, which area are you NOT as strong as you would like to be?
Time Management! Program Directors are asked to balance and handle more aspects of a radio station's overall operation than ever before. The information flow and how much a programmer receives daily in e-mail alone are massive. I'd love to have a few more hours a day just to digest all the NEW information I get in an 8-10 hour day.
4) What do you think of National Contesting? Is it effective?
Being a Clear Channel programmer for the last few years, I have discovered that radio stations in some markets need all the resources available to compete. It's just another layer of programming and if used effectively can make a difference. It's all in how you sell it. I have enjoyed that fact that my last station had a $25,000 winner off the website. Local winners do win and if you can give a listener something they can't get anywhere else like a Montgomery Gentry Motorcycle or going on tour with Brooks and Dunn, you should at least consider it.
5) Will the advent of Satellite Radio affect our biz? Explain!
Anything that takes away from terrestrial radio is a threat. I do believe a well- programmed local radio station will always win and we need to stay competitive. Trying to be all things to everyone isn't going to fly anymore. You have to pick your slice of life that will deliver the best results for your station's revenue and ratings.
6) What do you like best about your job? Least?
I love strategy. I love new ideas and I like implementing them. I've been lucky to have program a few stations that had great success and I've also programmed a few that kicked the crap out of me. Still after all these years, the excitement of each day being totally different from the day before is what drives me. I am still a student learning everyday the art of radio.
The least favorite thing is the personality conflicts that can happen within the building. I think working with other people can be the hardest challenge if you can't clearly articulate your vision for the radio station.
7) Who are your programming mentors?
I will always live by the theory that ANYBODY good or bad in your life can teach you something.
With that being said, I had some of the best mentors around.
Mark Bolland (KJR,KISW and KXRX), Roger Douglass and Steve Clem at The Research Group, Mike Ripley at (KOZE) and Cheryl Salomone (VP/GM-Clear Channel-Greensboro)
Consultants - Bob Case, Rich Hawkins and Mark Bolke.
8) What is your favorite radio station outside of your own market?
Country - KUBL in Salt Lake City- I "borrowed" a ton of their ideas over the years and KPLX - The Wolf in Dallas. Both are high- energy Country stations that are unique to their respective markets. It's all about NOT making your station sound stale and old.
Other Stations I admire - KLSY (Bobby Irwin Days), KIIS-FM, Z-100 and KZLA.
9) What's the biggest record that you completely missed on?
Here I am programming KFFM in Yakima Washington, telling the Warner Brothers record rep that I will NEVER add Lenny Kravitz "Fly Away."
NOBODY missed that one but me and I added it a week later with a nice bowl of crow.
10) Next Superstar Programmer?
Mike Nelson, PD at The Mix in Milwaukee. I met Mike years ago in Idaho and I was always jealous that he "got" it and had the talent to make it happen. I've been chasing him ever since. He even beat me to the 10 questions on All Access a while back so I'm always playing second fiddle. Someday Mikey, you'll get yours!
Lee McVey, PD at KOZE in Lewiston, Idaho. Proof positive that programmers in smaller markets can do some amazing things with NO budget at all. His station is still live 24/7 and sounds awesome. You've got to respect that in this age of computers and voice tracking.
Bonus Questions
1) Do you read…..everything? Books, Magazines, etc. Nothing? What's your favorite reading material?
I read whatever I can get my hands on. Nothing is more powerful then reading about a new way to do something or being inspired by a good book. It's healthier to keep an open mind and a good book can do that. My new boss Steve King got me the book "The Present" and I've learned a lot from that book.
2) Do you have Musical Guilty Pleasures?
80's baby all the way! Mr. Mister, Toto, Survivor, Starship…if it's cheesy pop music, I'm all about it. Carrie Underwood, Black Eyed Peas, Rick Springfield, anything Hot AC and Pop/Rock.
3) You are on a desert island…what 5 CDs are in you portable disc player?
Mr. Mister - Welcome To The Real World, Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway, Nickleback - For All The Right Reasons, Def Leppard - Hysteria and Restless Heart's Greatest Hits.
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