10 Questions with ... Keola

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started radio back in 1999 at KIKI Honolulu, HI. Since then I've made stops in Stockton, Kansas City, Seattle, San Francisco and now Portland!

1) Keola, you have had to endure some really lousy cities to work in-Honolulu, Seattle, San Francisco, and now Portland-how do you handle it? Seriously, how are you settling into KUPL and Alpha Broadcasting-pretty exciting stuff so far?

Absolutely, the Northwest has a very unique culture and lifestyle that is embraced by the local residents which is everything Alpha Broadcasting and KUPL stands for. I've never felt more a part of a team that works diligently to provide a product that exudes localism and excitement for our listeners on a daily basis. In this day and age of voicetracking, syndication and programming from a talent/programmer thousands of miles away and even greater leaps from further understanding their respective market's P1 listeners, radio has gradually become more and more diluted. That, however, is everything that goes against the philosophies of Alpha Broadcasting. This is a company that is aggressively expanding, embraces local talent/programming and challenges you to put out a compelling, entertaining product that will be embraced locally by your listeners. That excites me, that motivates me and for that reason, I am proud to say I'm a part of Alpha Broadcasting!

2) You have worked with OM/PD Scott Mahalick before-obviously you guys have a great chemistry together. What makes it special?

Scott is hands down the greatest programmer I've had the honor to work for. His creative genius is at another level. With Scott there are no limitations, he's always challenging us (his staff) to think big. Anything from transforming a conventional "ticket stop" to Scott saying something like "let's get a helicopter to hover above this location, have a talent on board and while hovering do a ticket drop and blowout all the tickets!" By the way, we've done that and it was HUGE! How Scott does what he does, I have yet to figure out but I'm soaking it all in and enjoying the ride!

3) What projects is KUPL into that you are energized about?

Without going into great detail, I'm really excited about our upcoming digital campaign. We have some phenomenal ideas that are becoming materialized on our digital horizon. Larry Wilson, Bob Proffitt and Scott Mahalick did a great job in putting together an elite digital team for Alpha Broadcasting and going back to my earlier comment, we're thinking big and without limitations!

4) You graduated from the University of Washington in Honors with a degree in literature-why literature-and how does one with a degree like that end up in radio?

I was never big on memorization and regurgitation which most other courses of studies requires so as I like to put it, "I got a B.A. in B.S." I also enjoyed the creative aspect of English Lit. For the most part there was no right or wrong answer, it was your ability to interpret and translate writings that would vary from each student based upon your respective upbringing and paradigm through which you view the world. That creative freedom drew me to becoming a literature major. As to how my degree in literature led to my being in radio, it must've been divine intervention because I was more concerned about where my next beer was coming from rather than where my degree was going to take me (and I knew for a fact I wasn't "English Teacher" material). But between the creative aspect and understanding how to effectively communicate, majoring in literature and ending up in radio just goes to show you how things always seem to work their way out!

5) Who gave you your first big break in radio and where were you at the time?

A HUGE thank you to a great friend and my first PD Fred Rico. I had just graduated from University of Washington, moved back to Hawaii and started interning for KIKI-Honolulu where Fred was programming at the time. He took a chance on me, built the foundation for my career and words cannot express how grateful I am for everything Fred's done for me. He's now programming XHTZ (Z90) in San Diego which is a testament to his programming brilliance! Also, Blaine Sato who does afternoons at XHTZ was the personality I interned for in Honolulu and really took me under his wing. I learned a ton from both Fred and Blaine, just a straight-up potent team over there at XHTZ! Thank you both!!!

6) Have you become acclimated to Portland yet? How is the market different from others that you have worked?

Having spent 10 years of my life in Seattle (attending UW and working at KBKS), getting acclimated to Portland has been as smooth as could be. This has actually been my favorite market to work/live in. When I first moved here I'd always see these "Keep Portland Weird" bumper stickers and had no idea what that was about. But, after learning the lifestyle I've concluded Portland is a big city that prides itself in maintaining a laid back, hometown, down to earth way of life and I dig that about this market!

7) As Music Director, and with everything else you do, how hard is it to listen to everything-and do you listen to everything?

Currently, my Facebook status says "looking for extra hours in the day" which about sums up my schedule. But regardless, I always considered listening to new music as a hobby and not an obligation. Whenever a new single comes out I'll give it an initial listen, wait a day and revisit it to get a better gauge and give every song a fair shot.

8) With that said, what music and artists are you enthusiastic about?

Hands down Darius Rucker, Zac Brown Band and Jason Aldean. I'm also excited about Easton Corbin, Justin Moore and Lady Antebellum's futures in Country music. Between their unique and differing sounds, the future of Country music will be an existentially dynamic one!

9) What social networking sites are most important right now, as far as the mix with the Country audience is concerned?

It'd be the same as an audience for Top 40, AC, Talk, etc. Our Country audience is no different. We like to Facebook as much as our Classical listening boss does, tweet just as our Lady Gaga listening kids do and post a video on YouTube of our Oldies listening Dad opening his birthday presents.

10) Are you, your lovely wife and your dog enjoying Portland so far? What do you like best about the city?

We LOVE Portland! The inanimate vibe here is so conducive with a healthy, laid back lifestyle. Especially with my wife being from Whidbey Island in Washington and myself from Hawaii, we truly embrace Portland. There really isn't one thing I can pinpoint as to what I like best about the city as so much as the community as a whole. Any city where if you honk the horn at another car and everyone else gets mad at YOU for honking, I instantaneously LOVE!

1) What's your dog's name and what kind of dog is it? How is he (she) liking Portland?

His name "O.P" (pronounced "Opei"), it's short for "Optimus Prime". He's a pug/beagle mix or as my wife says, puggle (which I don't like cause it sounds too trendy, ha!). I'm assuming he loves Portland - we live right on the Willamette River so he gets lots of long walks and playtime with his buddies.

2) What books are you reading right now?

A book Scott Mahalick suggested for the entire KUPL staff called "Positively Outrageous Service: How To Delight And Astound Your Customers And Win Them For Life" by T. Scott Gross. Powerful stuff and it's an easy read so win-win!

3) Can you remember the first album you ever bought?

Absolutely, the first CD I ever bought was Bobby Brown "Don't Be Cruel" and I wore my MC Hammer diaper pants to Tower Records when I bought it.