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10 Questions with ... Kristina Ann Carlyle
July 27, 2009
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NAME:Kristina Ann CarlyleTITLE:Morning Show Co-host, Music DirectorSTATION:KRST 92.3MARKET:AlbuquerqueCOMPANY:CitadelBORN:December 31, 1971 - Northampton, MARAISED:Massachusetts/North Carolina
Please outline your career so far:
I started in radio when I was 16 at easy listening 63 WMFD-A/Wilmington, NC. While in college in 1991, I started my first full time job with Urban Kiss 102 in New Bern, NC as the overnight person and eventually ended up doing mornings. I worked there until the mid 90s, then I joined AC KYXY 96.5 in San Diego as the weekend Love Songs show host. I returned to Kiss 102 in 1999 to do middays and mornings on sister station Soft Rock V103.3. In 2001 I went to top 40 Hot 96 and 1037 also in New Bern. I left that station to come to Albuquerque and work for 92.3 KRST in 2003.
1) First of all, how does a girl from a small town in Massachusetts end up playing Country music in New Mexico? How did you get to Albuquerque and do you miss the North?
I left Massachusetts and moved to North Carolina with my family when I was 15. Initially I missed the north terribly, but I eventually adjusted. Many years later, I saw a posting on AllAccess.com for a job in Albuquerque and thought, "that sounds like fun." I was right!
2) I read your bio on the KRST website and it said you got your first radio job in Wilmington, NC at the age of 16, correct? Did you always know you wanted to work in radio or was it just a job at the time?
Radio never occurred to me actually. I just happened to know someone who was a General Manager of a local station. I asked him for a job, but wasn't specific about what I wanted to do. He set up a time for me to come in, and I assumed I would be doing some sort of busy work. But instead they started training me to be on the air. I was floored! But, anyone who knows me knows radio is perfect for me since I love talking.
3) If you had not gone into radio, what career path would you have chosen?
Psychologist - I love talking to people and delving into what motivates them.
4) I also read that you are a Gulf War veteran. Wow! First, thank you for serving our country; I know we all have such a great deal of respect for our men and women in uniform. What prompted you to join the military? What lessons/skills did you learn during that time that you use on the job and in your life today?
Honestly, my reasons were pretty ironic, but common I guess. I was 17 years old and tired of being controlled by my mother, so I ran away from home. Geez, like I wasn't going to get controlled in the military? It was actually a great decision though. I was a reservist, so I didn't have to do 4 years full time. Only about a year and a half full time due to being activated for the war. It really taught me how strong I was. Especially the whole boot camp experience, which was difficult due to my lack of coordination. It also taught me to be self-reliant.
5) I know that sometimes being a female in our male dominated industry can be tough, but I imagine it is nothing compared to being a female in the military. Do you that that experience helps you deal with the "good old boys club" that sometimes rears it's head in our industry?
I know the "good old boys club" thing exists in both the military and radio, but truthfully I haven't experienced it. I grew up with four brothers, and after going through that and being in the military I am actually more comfortable with men than women. I typically end up being just one of the guys, so I never feel excluded or passed over for any opportunities.
6) I would imagine an area like Albuquerque has some great things to do year round. What do you and your husband like to do in your free time?
Anything outdoors is fun. There is a great bike trail that runs the length of the entire city along the Rio Grand, which we love. Hiking is huge for me as well. There is this great 7-mile hike on the east side of the Sandia Mountain that I try to do once a week. It's challenging and the views are incredible.
7) I see in your bio that your guilty musical pleasure is the angry and depressed female like Alanis Morissette and Sarah McLachlan. What draws you to that type of music?
This just tells me that I need to redo my bio! I wrote that when I first got here, and I was a bit more drawn to angry music because I was unhappy. Not the case now.
8) At the age of 15 you moved from Massachusetts to North Carolina, I can imagine that was a bit of culture shock to a teenager from the North. What was that transition like for you?
The slow pace was the first thing I noticed, everything was so rushed up North in retrospect. I think we could learn much from the Southern lifestyle. I am naturally a mellow person, so that adjustment came pretty easily for me. Also, I did notice some racism there. I hadn't experienced that before, and honestly thought it didn't exist anymore. So, I guess I learned to be a bit less naïve.
9) If you were creating a CD titled The Soundtrack Of The Life Of Kristina Carlyle, what are three songs that would be on it and why?
The first would be John Mellencamp's "Cherry Bomb," because it so perfectly captures small town life. How I grew up in Massachusetts. The second would be "Bittersweet Symphony" The Verve to cover my 20s; I was a very DEPRESSED person. Finally "Happy Girl" by Martina McBride, My 30s have been so wonderful and happy. Of course not everything in my life is perfect, but I've learned that happiness is a choice you can consciously make every day. That is who I want to be, why would I chose anything else. I especially appreciate that happiness after so many years of clinical depression.
10) You have been a Music Director for about five months now, what are some of the surprising things you have learned?
I guess the biggest thing I have learned how much of the really good music never makes it to air. I love the no-name singer-songwriters. I am sad that sometimes they just don't make it because they don't have the publicity machine behind them.
Bonus Questions
1) You were born on New Year's Eve and a lot of people who have birthdays that fall on holidays really hate it. Do you feel the same or is it like one worldwide party just for you?
I love my birthday! I always know that there will be a party on that day.
2) If we were coming to Albuquerque for just a few hours and we had time to visit one site and eat at one restaurant, what places would you recommend?
I would dine at El Pinto - the food is wonderful and the patio is so gorgeous. Then I would take the tram to the top of the Sandia Mountain. We have the longest tram in North America, the ride up is very cool and the view from the top is spectacular.
3) How long did it take you to learn to spell Albuquerque after you moved there?
When in doubt throw in a U!
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