10 Questions with ... Tony Randall & Kris Rochester

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Tony & Kris both began their radio careers in their teens. They became morning show partners in 1992, working at WHMA-FM in Anniston, AL for only 10 months before getting the call from KSON-FM in San Diego, CA. They spent 10 great years there, winning an ACM & being nominated for a CMA, before heading to KUSS-FM for 5 years. After leaving KUSS, they opted to start their own company, Tony & Kris Productions, LLC, and follow their dream of syndication.

They are currently on 7 stations, with more coming soon.

1) How is the show going so far? Seems like you're on a good many stations already.

Tony: The show's coming along really nicely. It's been great to dust off the cobwebs that 14 months off the air brought and get back to doing what we love. It's really exciting to us to be on this many stations already. We came in with a specific plan to start very small, like 3 stations, & then build down the road, so to be on 7 and counting is very satisfying.

Kris: Think it's going great. We didn't intend to start on this many stations but it is very nice bonus and to be accepted by the stations, the staffs and the listeners is very exciting.

2) You guys started in radio as teenagers. Where did you meet and how did you become a duo?

Tony: Kris was a pop guy and I had been doing country for a few years when we met. I changed jobs to a new rock/pop station that was closer to home and paid a little better and Kris ended up being hired as a swing/part-time guy. We met through a mutual friend at the station and struck up our own friendship. It was a few months before the thought of doing a show together came up. Once it did, we made a terrible fake aircheck and sent it out, waiting for the offers to roll in. They didn't.

Kris: Tony pretty well answered that.

3) You had a great run in San Diego-10 years at KSON and 5 years at KUSS. Are you missing the beach? By the way, we had all this snow brought into Nashville just for you.

Tony: Hey, we're human. Leaving San Diego was one of the hardest things I've ever done, especially because my oldest is in college there, but to make this dream happen we had to come to Nashville. The plus side is that Nashville is a fantastic city. The snow could stop. It's nice for a day, but then it's just stupid.

Kris: Nobody believes me, but I love it here. Seasons are something you don't really have in San Diego, so it's cool to be able to know it's football season by the weather.

4) What makes the Tony & Kris show different from other morning shows?

Tony: That's a tricky question. Every good show thinks they're unique. My honest feeling is that a lot of shows do some of the same things we do, we just feel we do them better. We connect emotionally with listeners in a very real way. Our interviews are generally a big strong point. One of our biggest compliments comes when someone from the label or management tells us how much fun their artist had with us. Luckily, that happens a lot!

Kris: Every show feels it is unique, we feel like we have fun WITH the listener as opposed to talking at them or dazzling them with skits. Nothing wrong with those that do, it's just a difference.

5) Who was your favorite guest to interview?

Tony: Another tough one. After interviewing people for 23 years, it's hard to pick one. A few highlights, in no particular order, would be Garth Brooks (always generous with his time and willing to do anything), Kenny Rogers (some of the best stories you'll ever hear), George Strait (funnier than we expected), Dick Clark (a consummate pro), Dolly Parton (just introduce her and the fun begins) and Edward Norton (just a cool Oscar nominee who answered even the toughest questions honestly).

Kris: Kenny Rogers---The man has amazing stories!

6) What is it like doing the show nationwide as opposed to locally-what adjustments have you had to make?

Tony: Surprisingly, we really haven't made that many adjustments to content. We've always tried to talk about relevant things that the majority of our target cares about, so it's been easier than I expected. Coming into this we all agreed that as long as we're locally relevant, we don't have to worry too much about local. So far it seems to be holding true. Fun is fun, no matter where you live.

Kris: More adjustments are being made right now just introducing us to the audience as opposed to regions.

7) You're doing the show from the Cumulus building in Nashville, yet you're not on the air at WSM-FM. Are there any plans for you to be on the air in Music City?

Tony: Our only plan is to focus 100% of our energy on the affiliates on which we're currently heard.

8) Are you still having fun after all this time together? How do you keep it fresh?

Tony: Absolutely! How many people get to go to work every day with someone who can make them laugh, hard, several times a morning? After the last couple years in San Diego, feeling a little beaten down, this new venture has totally reinvigorated us. We feel we've yet to reach the top of our game. As far as keeping it fresh, we just roll with the world. It's a constantly changing place that always provides great material and we try to reflect that in our content. Finding new ways to get a laugh and have some fun is part of the joy of the job.

Kris: Tony makes me laugh everyday, and it is cool in this cut throat business to have someone that you know has your back no matter what is awesome

9) How much time a day do you spend prepping for your next show and what time are you in the studio every morning?

Tony: We're in the office/studio every morning by 3:30a (CT). We go on the air at 5a (CT). After we're off at 9a, we do promos and editing for the next day, then we get out of here. You can't live a life to talk about if you're cooped up in a room. We feel our prep process is every hour we're awake.

Kris: Prep? Our natural talents carry us - KIDDING!

10) What role does your producer Heather play with your show-what exactly does a producer do?

Every producer is different. We've had on-air producers on the show and they have their place, but in starting this show in its current form we need to be clear with the listeners who the two main players are so Heather doesn't do much on the air. She, as any good producer, is vital to the success of our show. She's the gateway for callers who have to make sure we're getting the best from listeners. She handles the day-to-day upkeep of the website, uploading videos, audio, pictures, etc. She leads the charge in guest booking, though we help with that with our friends in the business. Producers should have one major goal - Make the show and the hosts sound as good as possible at all times, on and off the air. It can be a thankless gig, but a great producer is worth their weight in whiskey.

1) What about the other person irritates you.

Tony: Very little. His short attention span can be a challenge sometimes.

Kris: Someone has to be right no matter what. LOL!

2) What was the first concert you ever attended?

Tony: Van Halen - 1984 Tour

Kris: Sha Na Na in Huntsville Alabama

3) You both love movies and TV shows-what are you watching lately that you'd like to recommend?

Tony: I'm still a sucker for American Idol and Survivor. How I Met Your Mother, Amazing Race and Burn Notice are on my list as well. I'm just as likely to go through weeks where all I watch is my DVDs of Seinfeld, The Simpsons, M*A*S*H and Family Guy.

Kris: I'm getting into the Mentalist and Burn Notice right now. Check out the movie trailer for the A TEAM MOVIE. I can't wait!