10 Questions with ... Mark Mitchell

NAME:Mark Mitchell TITLE:PD STATIONS:KSTT, KSLY, KURQ & KVEC MARKET:San Luis Obispo, California COMPANY:El Dorado Broadcasters, LLC BORN:2/18/70 Bayshore, NY RAISED:Mesa, AZ

Please outline your radio career so far:

1986-1987 KFYI Board-Op
1987-1991 KMDX FM On Air/MD
1991-1993 KQEZ FM On-Air
1994-1999 KFLG FM PD/On Air
1999-2002 KTPI FM Morning Show Host
2002-2007 KTPI FM/KOSS FM PD
Presently KSLY/KSTT PD

1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?

The first time I ever cracked the mic and heard myself in the headphones "for real," that was it. I was hooked. That, and I'm allergic to making piles of money.

2) What do you like best about your job?

I have a staff of actual humans!! I love the crew in San Luis Obispo. They understand how to work as a unit. At my last job we couldn't function as a unit because the unit was cut from the budget every three weeks. The least? Haven't been here long enough to hate anything yet!

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

This market has more local radio than any other market I have ever worked in. It's also the first market I've programmed in that is not penetrated by signals from a much bigger market.

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

The insolence of young people towards radio, and how do we get them to stay with us in the future.

5) What research tools do you use to program your station?

Pizza, beer, Mediabase, and Rate The Music helps too.

6) How would you describe the music and imaging on your station?

It's pretty safe and straight-forward on KSTT right now. The station has just started to evolve musically, so we are basically just telling everyone who we are and what we play.

7) Describe your weekly music meeting. What is the process when you listen to new music? Approximately how important by percentage is gut, research, sales, video play, and chart position when determining the status of a record?

We constantly listen to new music. It's an ongoing process here. Gut feeling, and common sense will tell us if the audience will embrace a song we add. However, there are a number of other factors that come into play too. Is the song from a hit movie or TV show? Is it a song from a core artist? Things like that are considered.

8) What is it about your station that you feel really makes it cut through?

Our talents on KSTT are all heritage in this market. So, they are very connected with the community and the listeners. I'm the "newbie," and I have to tell you, it's a demanding chore to keep up with them. That is unique in any market these days I think.

9) Who was your most memorable artist you've ever interviewed?

I interviewed George Carlin in 1995 and it was the best 40 minutes of radio I think I have ever been involved with.

10) What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you?

Never say anything more than you have to, if that much.

1) Who were your early influences?

Dave Pratt, W. Steven Martin, Rick Dees, and Dave Cooper.

2) For someone vacationing in your market, what one thing would you say they "must see"?

Downtown San Luis Obispo; The culture, the bars, and the Cal Poly Girls!!!

3) What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you at a remote?

At a previous station, our station vehicle got repossessed while we were doing a remote at the car dealership that sold it to us. All that was left was a marti pole and a table. It was pretty funny actually.

4) Who would be your dream guest on the show?

Satan, and I would ask him why he invented phones that can receive email.