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10 Questions with ... Chris Pantier
February 4, 2008
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TITLE:NightsSTATIONS:KMXP Mix 96.9MARKET:PhoenixCOMPANY:Clear Channel
Please outline your radio career so far:
KMXP/Phoenix, AZ - Nights
KZZP/Phoenix, AZ - Affiliate Relations/Exec. Producer "Kid and Ruben" in the Morning
KPTY/Phoenix, AZ - PD/APD/MD/Afternoons
KIXY/San Angelo, TX - Afternoons /Production and Imaging
KYLZ/Albuquerque, NM - APD/MD/Afternoons/Nights
KWWV/San Lois Obispo, CA - APD/MD/Nights
KPTY/Phoenix, AZ - Production/Imaging Director/Overnights
KBZR/Phoenix, AZ - Overnights/Promotions
KJAA-A Globe, AZ - Morning Drive/Nights1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
Ok, like many I was a small market Mom and Pop Jobber. An AM signal that we powered down at midnight. (A single-wide trailer on a hill with the tower right next to the trailer). The owner/salesman brought in the spots and voiced the thing. His wife did the bills, and paid the staff. Tejano in the early mornings (4-7a), News and Country in the morning, then Rush, G. Gordon, and Country music at night. Small markets really had to make it work back then.
2) What is your favorite part of the job?
Other than having one right now... The variety. I love being in an environment where I'm interviewing Mandy Moore one day, and the next day I'm surfing new music, then broadcasting live from a concert the next. "It's not just a job, it's an adventure! (I know I'm ripping someone off here).
3) Could you give us a little insight into your on air staff?
Mornings with Chris Parker and Gina Taylor - Good show, good folks...they have fun, and you can hear it through the speakers.
Middays with AJ - AJ started radio here with Mix, and has worked his way up. This might actually be one of the nicest guys... (Flanders without the Bible or the Diddley Iddley).
Early afternoon with Ron Geronimo - Dude has become one of my best friends... and is one of the absolute best people (as well as Programmers) in the business...The end.
Bryan Allen in the afternoon - He's in AJ's world of just plain nice. Humble as the day is long. He always comes in with a smile, quietly does his thing, and then BOOM! consistently kicks ass in the ratings. What a Professional.
Then there's me... 7pm till midnight.
Louise Cruz in the overnights... Nice kid...
4) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
Terrestrial? "Kid and Ruben" in the Morning on 101.5 Jamz here in Phoenix. Along with great bits, they do a great job of just entertaining the audience with their genuine personalities.
But when you add in the Satellite, I would say it's a down to the wire race between Bubba and Howard on Sirius. They just have the sanctuary from the FCC to truly say anything that they want. Life is sometimes indecent and compelling, why not speak about it openly. Not to mention that they are doing the best radio that might ever be done. (F.T.E.)
5) What artist would we be surprised to find on your iPod?
I don't rock the iPOD, but there's a ton of 80's Hairband stuff on my Stiletto. Dokken, Maiden, Ratt, Motley Crue. People may give me the look at a stop light, but I'm bangin' Cinderella in the Touareg right now.
6) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
Well, I watch my daughter Ashley (age 2) during the day. Truly the best gig I've ever had. I have become very "up to speed" with the children's stuff and more specifically their music. From Barney, to The Wiggles, and the Doodlebops, to Ralph's World, there's a good chance that I have some repetitive children's song stuck in my head as I toddle off to bed each night. (Yes, I wonder what Dee Dee looks like under the make-up too)
7) What advice you would give people new to the business?
Other than "get out while you can?" This isn't the same industry that I got into only 15 years ago, and I can only imagine where it will be in another 15 years. Cross-train in everything that you can. web, production, promotions, sales, programming, on air... everything! The more times you can say, "Yea, I can do that" the more likely you are to be needed. The more needed you become, the more the station can't live without you.
8) What is the current state of the radio 'talent pool'?
There are some stars working on their game now. But with consolidation, so many people having to wear multiple hats, on-air [talent] has been the number one area that has suffered. The farm leagues have PD/morning guys who are lucky if they are able to focus on their show. In bigger cities it's voice-tracking and clusters, with a morning girl that tracks another station in the mid-day. It's no wonder syndicated shows do well in many markets.
9) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
Well, I have this endorsement deal where they pay me to drive a... No, really I was just batting this around with some friends...and I think that some people are lucky enough to gravitate towards the thing that they do best. I guess some day I might have to wake up and get a real job, but right now I get to wake up and get paid to do something that I really do love every stupid little nuance of. (Big shouts to Camelback VW)
10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Creative, unique, compelling audio will draw listeners to listen to the station. With all the delivery devices available to receive music, I think that the real commodity of the future will be the talent and what they are able to do in between the records that will drive listeners to choose radio.
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