-
10 Questions with ... Ryan Dokke
November 20, 2006
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Ryan DokkeTITLE:MD/MiddaysSTATION: KDRK-FM (current), KXRO-AM, KDUX-FM, KXXK-FM, KMPS-FMMARKET:Spokane, WACOMPANY:Citadel CommunicationsBORN:Oct. 24th (24 years ago) in Olympia, WARAISED:Aberdeen, WA (home of Kurt Cobain)
Please outline your radio career so far:
I started at the ground floor! I was an intern and then worked my way into a part time board op position and then into a weekend air talent. I eventually worked into a full time air shift at KXXK where I did afternoons and spent my last two years there as the Program Director. I also commuted on weekends for two years to Seattle to work at KMPS. I landed in Spokane as Music Director and Middays in May.
1. What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
KXRO-AM (Morris Communications) I did weekend news, sports, and weather on the station that is "First In Grays Harbor and First in Local News!" Grays Harbor Radio was a great place for me to learn and grow. I had several early influences from Rich Daneker to Pat Anderson to Mike Ford to James Michael Powers to Liz Miller to Ian Cope. I try to always pick up something I can use from the people around me. Jaye Albright, Tony Thomas, and Becky Brenner would also be on that list. In the 6 months I've been in Spokane, Cary Rolfe has been a big influence.
2. What do you like best about your job? Least?
Adding and exposing new music to our audience. It is so fun to add a record from a new artist or a more well established artist and see how listeners react to the song you've exposed. Two examples; we played "Bomshel Stomp" one night after because they were coming to town to do a show and the phones went NUTS for that song and I know we exposed that record to our audience!! Again, we played "Alyssa Lies" one night and the phones STILL haven't stopped ringing!! That's fun! What I like the least is having to say "No, I don't think that record is going to work here."
3. Who are your programming mentors?
Pat Anderson, Becky Brenner, Jaye Albright, and Cary Rolfe!
4. Who's your favorite air/personality not on your air staff?
Rick "Bubba" Taylor or Tony Thomas, it's a tie!
5. What is your favorite radio station outside of your own market?
KMPS!! I have always been a HUGE FAN of KMPS! However, I like KUPL and KMLE too!
6. What's your take on current music? Is it as good as say, six months ago? Better than it was? Same? Elaborate please!
I think the music is always getting better! I am pretty aggressive with new music and new artists IF I can feel the record. I think the stuff that some of these new artists are bringing to the format is wonderful. I really like Sarah Buxton, Jake Owen, Blaine Larsen, Bomshel, Jack Ingram, Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift, and Gary Nichols among others! I think the problem becomes trying to fit this great music into your playlist without burying it in overnights!
7. In your opinion, what is the greatest song ever that never made it as a hit?
Jeff Bates "One Second Chance" OR Chris Cagle "Anywhere But Here". I thought both of these songs were HITS!
8. Favorite artist that you have met?
PHIL VASSAR and DARRYL WORLEY, I can't decide! I was most honored to meet George Strait!
9. Most surprising record of the past 12 months?
Steve Holy "Brand New Girlfriend"
10. Next Superstar Programmer?
Without a doubt, BOB CASTLE!!
Bonus Questions
1. Do you read.....everything? Books, Magazines, etc. Nothing? What's your favorite reading material?
I read the newspaper and some of the gossip mags.
2. Do you have Musical Guilty Pleasures?
I love Pink Floyd and John Mayer
3. You are on a desert island...what 5 CDs are in you portable disc player?
Pink Floyd-"Wish You Were Here"
Kenny Rogers-"Water and Bridges"
Jake Owen-"Startin With Me"
Dierks Bentley-"The Long Trip Alone"
Sugarland-"Twice The Speed Of Life"4. Describe your favorite meal?
Anything Italian! I love pasta!
-
-