10 Questions with ... Mike Kronforst

NAME:Mike Kronforst TITLE:Radio Instructor/Academic Advisor COMPANY:Brown College of Broadcasting BORN:During the war (The big one) WWII. I'm older than Art Vuolo. Need I say more? RAISED:Two Rivers, WI

Please outline your radio career so far:

WOMT, Manitowoc, WI
WTRW, Two Rivers, WI
WTIM, Taylorville, IL
WQTC AM & FM, Two Rivers, WI
WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI
KEEY, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
KMSP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN

My radio background, outlined above led me to teaching at Brown College. I started here in 1972 and nearly 36 years later, I'm still here.

1) What Got You Interested In Radio? How would you describe your first radio gig?

Goes back to elementary school when I'd go up and down the AM dial late at night and listen to as many stations as I could from as far away as possible. Music distribution was a little different then. I'd hear a record on a Boston station I liked, and then rush to the local record store and ask for it. More than likely, they'd never heard of it. It might take weeks to finally make it to the Midwest.

My first job was the night jock position at an AM in Manitowoc, WI. It was full time and I earned $60.00 a week. I worked in a factory during the day so I wouldn't starve to death.

2) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?

For the past 45 years, I've been involved in Radio. It's been my entire adult working lifetime. I can't imagine another career path that would put me in close contact with "radio" people who I've come to love dearly.

3) Who were your early influences?

Kids today don't have the advantage of listening to the big power AM's. I was a regular listener of the jocks at WLS in Chicago and WOKY in Milwaukee. I'd also drift up and down the dial and listen to far off stations in Philadelphia, Boston, St. Louis, Nashville and Oklahoma City

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

Getting back the younger demographic.

5) How do you feel about the new royalty rate increases for Internet radio and proposed royalties for terrestrial radio?

We have a 24/7 streaming station here at Brown College. Any increase in fees will be looked upon as unfavorable.

6) As an air-talent how has industry consolidation helped or hurt you?

It sure hasn't helped. Any school teaching broadcasting needs to reflect the industry.

We have a "Program Advisory Committee" of industry professionals that meets twice a year to help direct where we're going. Well add, delete or change curriculum on the basis of their advice.

Versatility of our graduates is important. For instance, all Brown College Graduates have the skills necessary to build and maintain a station website.

7) Describe the relationship you have with your fellow co-workers?

I work with the greatest group of instructors you could imagine. They're all industry professionals committed to the education of the next generation of air talent.

8) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air? (dead air ... forget a mic was still on ... etc.)

It was the reaction between the morning guy and myself after I read a UPI headline that I delivered exactly as it was written: "The American consul in San Sebastian Spain, ignored a sub-machine gun pointed at him last night and used his hands to beat off four would-be kidnappers." We both lost it completely. Grown men giggling is an ugly thing but we couldn't stop. I still have that piece of copy to prove I didn't make up the story.

9) Who is the most amazing talent you've worked with?

At the risk of upsetting a few people, it was J.D. Barber, who just passed away this spring after a long career in Madison, WI. J.D. personified preparation. I did news on his morning show, and every time I heard him refer to his good friend the News Director, I knew I'd have to be explaining something to my wife because of some outrageous story J.D. cooked up in his imagination.

10) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?

The people in the radio industry, and affiliated industries are just the best!

1) What was the first song or full-length release you purchased?

Believe it or not, it was a 78 RPM recording of "Ape Call" by Nervous Norvus.

2) What is your favorite part of the job?

The constant contact with students just entering the business, and hearing from graduates from all across the country who are in radio.

3) What do you tell your child who comes to you and says, "Dad, when I grow up, I want to get into radio?"

You reply, "I'm sorry, you can't do both."