10 Questions with ... J.R. Schumann

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Radio Disney (Dallas) and KVIL (Dallas) Promotions Assistant; KWUD-AM (Woodville, TX) Morning Host; KIXS FM (Victoria, Texas) Morning Host; KIXB FM (El Dorado, AR) PD/MD/Afternoons; KYKX (Tyler/Longview, TX) APD/MD/Afternoons

1) Congrats on your new gig at KYKX! You were working at KIXB/El Dorado, AR and now you're back in your home state of Texas. How are you liking it so far?

I love it! I'm originally from East Texas, and I've had family here my entire life. So the novelty of being on the air at a station that I listened to as a kid has yet to wear off!

2) Before getting into radio, you worked as an EMT, both in the hospital and in an ambulance. How did you get from there to being in radio? Has working in radio always been your ultimate career goal?

I was working in EMS, went through a divorce, and used that as the catalyst to start completely over. I was the kid that had the pretend radio station in my bedroom. So after the divorce, I thought, why not? I took what was left after the divorce (which wasn't a whole lot), moved back to Dallas and started trying to get into radio. I enrolled in the American Broadcasting School and starting beating down the doors of every radio station in town until someone finally hired me.

3) Would you ever consider returning to the medical field someday?

I really enjoyed working in EMS, but I don't want to imagine a day outside of radio. I'll stay in radio as long as radio will have me.

4) What was your favorite radio station to listen to growing up in Dallas and who were some of your favorite jocks?

Growing up in Dallas in the '80s and '90s I had the great fortune of listening to some of the best radio personalities in the history of this business. Ron Chapman was on in the car every morning on the way to school. I remember lying in bed at night with my walkman on, under the covers, listening to Hubcap Carter on 98.7 KLUV. I never got the opportunity to meet Hubcap, but to this kid, Hubcap was the coolest.

5) Describe your first job in radio. Is it true you worked the same job for two different stations at the same time, without either of them knowing about it?

I worked as a Promotions Assistant for Radio Disney in Dallas. Easily, the most fun I've ever had at a job. And yes, I worked for two different radio stations at the same time. I worked for KVIL and Radio Disney. I was in the promotions department for both stations. I'd leave a Radio Disney remote and drive to a KVIL remote and switch station t-shirts in the car. I wasn't sure how they'd react to me working both places, so I never said a word about it. Anything I could do to be inside a radio station (or two), I did it.

6) What are some artists you are really digging right now?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE The Band Perry! I'm also really diggin' Jerrod Niemann, and Miranda Lambert - holy cow! There are so many! Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jaron & The Long Road To Love, Justin Moore. I'm really excited about the new faces of country music! It's definitely an exciting time for our format!

7) Texas is known for their thriving Texas Music scene, kind of a genre all its own. Does your station dedicate any on-air time to Texas artists?

Of course! Saturday nights, 7-Midnight, is Lonestar Saturday Nights. All Texas, Red Dirt and Americana Music. It's one of our most popular shows. Oh, and yes, it's live!

8) Who are some Texas artists that the rest of the world should know about?

There are so many great artists! We're very proud of Jack Ingram, Kevin Fowler and the Eli Young Band especially! They're introducing people across the country to Texas Music - and those people are listening! Some others? Wade Bowen, Mark McKinney, Stoney Larue, Brandon Jenkins, I could go on and on.

9) Looking back, which years hold the best musical memories for you and who were your favorite acts at that time?

Some of the best musical memories are from my childhood. My grandmother LOVED country music. In fact, it was my grandmother that took me to my concert - Willie Nelson. I remember being on the 5th row for the Hank Jr. show (at the Oil Palace in Tyler, TX) everyone is not only standing up, but standing in their seats - including my grandmother!

10) What are some of your hobbies and interests - what do you like to do for fun when you are not working?

I enjoy going to the movies, playing golf, stuff like that. I also organize a walk in Dallas, every year, for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Last year we raised over $50,000! Shameless plug? Okay. www.tinyurl.com/OOTDdfw2010

1) What artist(s) would we be surprised to find on your iPod?

My iPod is pretty random, but I'm not ashamed to admit there's a ton of '80s music, and I enjoy a lot of the current Top 40 music. Truth be told, in my car, I don't really listen to the iPod so much as I listen to iHeartRadio app on my iPhone, and it's either on Z100 or The Elvis Duran Channel. :)

2) Do you have any big vacation plans this summer?

I just got back from New Orleans a couple weeks ago. Absolutely amazing! They have quite possibly the best food I've ever eaten in my entire life! I would love to see the beaches of Mexico this summer, but I don't think it's gonna happen.

3) What's the best movie you've seen lately?

I think the last really good movie that I saw in the theater was "The Blind Side" - which means I need to get to the movies more frequently.