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10 Questions with ... Dakota
January 9, 2007
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NAME:DakotaTITLE:MD/MiddaysSTATIONS:KRUZMARKET:Santa Barbara, CACOMPANY:CumulusBORN:Panorama City, CA (Summer of '74)RAISED:Van Nuys, CA "The Hood"
Please outline your radio career so far:
KLYY, Los Angeles 97-99- Programming Assistant, Part-time On-Air
KLLY, Bakersfield 97-98- Part-time On-Air
KJEE, Santa Barbara 99-04- MD/middays
KFMA & KLPX, Tucson 04-06, Promotions Coordinator KFMA & KLPX, Part-time KFMA
KRUZ, Santa Barbara 06-Present- MD/middays1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
My first job in radio was working as an intern at KLYY (Y-107) in Los Angeles. I answered phones for Sheri Donovan (afternoon drive) and worked on the promotions team. Sheri helped me really understand what the business was going to be about and she actually took time to air-check me, which was amazing!
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
My "moment" happened in high school. When I was a sophomore, I had a speech teacher who was obsessed with my voice. He used to make me recite the "Pledge of Allegiance" for his colleagues just so they could hear my voice. He was convinced that I sounded exactly like Holly Hunter. It was after that experience that I started thinking I could use my voice for my career.
3) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
The lack of staffing and budget makes KRUZ unique in every way imaginable. There are only three jocks on the station and we hardly have any promotional budget, yet I think we make the station sound larger than life. Some stations have all the advantages but still sound dead on the air. We sound like an action packed station!
4) Just about every market has a station flipping to "Jack," "Bob," "Max," or "Movin' Rhythmic Hot AC. What are your thoughts on these new formats?
Will they go the distance? As a 32 year old Female, I must tell you that I love the Movin' format. It is so fun and full of life that I try to listen whenever I'm in Los Angeles. I am not sure how it will do in the long run, but it's definitely a fun ride right now.
5) Describe your weekly music meeting ... a) what is the process when you listen to new music? b) By percentage, approximately how important is gut, research, sales, video play, and chart position when determining the status of a record?
Well, I just recently pushed my way into the weekly music meeting. I am on the air when our PD Todd Violette has his meeting, so I have to time it just right...stumbling into his office just in time to voice my opinion. I think a big part of it is gut reaction (50%). I am always looking at album sales just to have a good idea of what the audience is moved enough to purchase. Chart position has an impact as well. Video play doesn't do much for me because you can watch most of the band's videos on their websites or MySpace pages. It's not like you are sitting around waiting for your favorite video to come on like we did in the 80's!
6) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
Sluggo at KROQ! He's so damn funny!
7) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?
I am really enjoying the "Hip Hop Y Mas" format that our sister station The Vibe is doing in Ventura. Todd Violette yells at me if he gets in my car and I'm listening to them!
8) How do you interact with your sales staff?
Very delicately! I find that it is always hard for programming and sales to get along. I try to be the peacemaker between the two. I can normally understand both sides. The sales department wants to make the station money, and programming wants to preserve the quality of the product. It's a balancing act between the two.
9) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?
We just had "KRUZ Up Close #2" with The Fray, and it was easily the best concert I've been to this year. We had it in a movie screening room at Bacara Resort and Spa with 97 KRUZ VIP's and it was truly a special event. The band was so personable and funny in between songs that they totally engaged the audience! And when they were playing, I kept getting goose bumps...it sounded that good!
10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Work hard and it will eventually pay off. I have not always been in the position I wanted to be in at a station but I still worked hard. There is always something bigger and better out there if you work hard enough for it.
Bonus Questions
1) How did you get your on-air name?
Oh I just love answering this question! When I was first in radio, I was working full time as the programming assistant at KLYY (Y-107) in Los Angeles and part-time on weekends at KLLY in Bakersfield. I came up with the name "Mia Andrews" for Bakersfield. After working there for six-months, Steve Blatter offered me a part-time position on-air at Y-107. He said "Everything is great, you sound great but I think I want to change your name." He suggested "Dakota" and I've used it ever since! The best part of the story is that Steve was driving through Santa Barbara a few months ago and heard me on the air and sent me an E-mail saying he was glad I was still using "Dakota".
2) Tell us what music we would find on your car or home CD player (or turntable) right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?
I'm definitely on a Maynard kick right now. I keep switching between Tool and A Perfect Circle albums. I'm also listening to AFI's latest CD a lot, and I can't wait to get the new Incubus CD! I guess you can take the girl out of Alternative, but you can't take the Alternative out of the girl!
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