10 Questions with ... Nycki Pace

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• KZPT (99.7 FM The Point)/Kansas City, MO - September 2012-Present - Midday On-Air Co-Host
• KCJK (JACK-FM 105.1 FM)/Kansas City, MO - February 2009-September 2012 - Morning Show On-Air Co-Host
• KCKC (Star 102.1)/Kansas City, MO - January 2005-June 2008 - Morning Show Co-Host 5:30-9:00am
• KFME (E105.1FM)/Kansas City, MO - June 2001 - January 2005 - Morning Show On-Air Co-Host/News/Traffic Reporter-5:30am-10am
• KBEQ (Young Country Q104)/Kansas City, MO - May 1996-June 2001 - Part Time On-Air/Traffic Reporter for both Morning and Afternoon Drive.
• KYYS (102.1 KY-102)/Kansas City, MO - September 1993-April 1996 - Part Time On-Air
• WDAF-A (61 Country) )/Kansas City, MO - October 1993-April 1996 - Morning Show Producer of the David Lawrence Morning Show

1) What Got You Interested In Radio?

I've pretty much had a love for music and talking since coming out of the womb, but we had a DJ attend our "High School Career Day" my senior year. Let's just say I wasn't heading to the Lawyer or Doctor's Group as one of my options.

2) Who do you consider your radio mentors?

From the very beginning, I've been very lucky to have such generous people to work with in terms of them giving insight and advice in radio. I'd have to say David Lawrence with 61 Country along with Frankie Maas & Tanna Guthrie (who I watched each day on air at my first job) was a great place to start especially when it came to being kind to listeners even when they were "a little different" to say the least. I'd also HAVE to mention Mike Kennedy, Bryan Truta and Tony Lorino so I don't get any unwanted grief!

3) What makes your market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?

I'm REALLY lucky to have been one of a handful of people who was born and raised in Kansas City and that it's the only place I've known as a home in radio. That's not to say I haven't thought that it would be a blast to run away and clean bathrooms at a radio station in Chicago!

4) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

Sadly, some of the most talented people have faded away due to budget cuts. And I mean this for both on and off-air rolls. So many staffs have been stripped to the bare bones and it can be disheartening to see people try to make the best with who they have left for those "all hands on deck" moments.

5) What is it about your show that you feel really makes it cut through?

I've worked in both middays and mornings over the years and I have to say that talking to people like you're having a normal conversation with them (along with a sense of humor) is the only way I know how to be on air. It's obviously much easier to have a funny discussion during the morning drive mainly because you don't have to squeeze your content in AND have it come off funny over a 10 second intro!

6) How are you using social media to market your radio station and your show?

Yes, we're on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. We also plan on adding to that in 2013.

7) How do you stay in tune with your audience?

I try to work my own life experiences info each day (along with my girlfriends and their kids). I also scour every sort of website and show for the latest on pop-culture and lifestyle topics.

8) How do you prep yourself for your radio shift?

I never stop looking throughout the day. I also prep like I'm looking for stories and topics for a morning show. I continue to do during the middays... but I'll pass on certain stories to the others that I can't use so maybe they can run with it.

9) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air?

Tony will tell you that I leave the mic on but potted down at least once a week. But I have to say my one "gaffe" that I make (for whatever reason) is that I've been known to be talking about one product...and out of nowhere I'll refer to it as a whole other name. If it's Taco Bell, I'll pull Taco Tico out of nowhere. I'm usually good for this around once every three years. Thank God it's never happened in the company of an actual client!

10) Please describe the worst promotion you've ever been part of?

A few years back, one of our stations was soliciting for good places to plant trees. I'm more than positive that the guy who came up with this promotion smoked more trees than we ever actually planted to come up with that idea.

Tell us what music we would find on your MP3 player right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?

Let's see... The Little River Band, Dierks Bentley, Pink, Chuck Mangione, Kid Rock, Gerry Rafferty, Buck Cherry, EW&F, Gabe Dixon, The Police, Bruno Mars and that true American Treasure... Eddie Money. I like the element of surprise in keeping it on random.

Do you have any good stalker stories?

Recently, a very nice male listener (who may be a bit "off" and has been calling me for 10+ years) brought me a Costco card membership. This was obviously a very kind gesture, except that this is also where he works so I would feel bad using it. That said, my husband has been trying to find where I put it for three weeks so he can make a run for bulk aluminum foil...