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10 Questions with ... Mark 'The Shark' Brower
May 2, 2006
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TITLE:MDSTATIONS:www.radioexpress.comMARKET:Kickin' ass all over the worldCOMPANY:Radio ExpressBORN:1974 in Los AngelesRAISED:Los Angeles. (Presently, I'm also the honorary Mayor of the Grove in Los Angeles, so in later life, I was raised at the Grove).
Please outline your radio career so far:
I first got my start with the Greaseman radio show in roughly 1993. From there I have worked for LA radio stations KRTH (K-Earth 101) and KZLA. I have also done air work on KSTN in Stockton and KRSQ in Billings, Montana. And prior to joining Radio Express, I also worked for R&R for 5 years.
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I first worked in the early '90's for the Greaseman radio show. I was the phone screener/intern/pizza ordering boy. I was with him for about a year and a half before I jumped over to KXEZ and Star 98.7. I worked at Star 98.7 for a very young Ryan Seacreast and over at KXEZ I met one of my early mentors Tommy Jaxson, a very good solid individual.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
My defining moment when I was working my first on-air job and was making $4.44 an hour. At that moment, I knew I made it.
3) How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?
I read and follow the charts religiously. You have to. Since I program so many formats, I really have to be on top of things. I always have to be ready for the next single by a band. I never want to be late on anything.
4) What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?
Well when I head down to San Diego, I always listen to 105.3 KIOZ. Great rock station. It wins my heart.
5) 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?
In my car I usually am cranking out heavy loud rock n roll. Makes my commute more relaxing. It makes me less likely to honk at you. Right now I have the new Rob Zombie, Disturbed, AC/DC, old Metallica and Godsmack. It's good family music.
6) How much interaction do you have with record labels?
A lot. I thankfully know some really good people on the label side of things and I can count on them all the time. I'm on the phone, Email or IM with them often. Some of the best are Troy Dudley, Elias Chios, Matt Surrena, Don Cody, Jesus Garber, Rick Gershon, Geordie Gillespie, Cathie Ichige, Sam Kaiser, Mark Nieto, Dave Reynolds and Sherri Warren. They are all wonderful people who I want to be when I grow up :)
7) Just about every market has a station flipping to "Jack," "Bob," "Max," etc. What are your thoughts on this format? Will it go the distance? Or is it just a fad?
In my opinion, I think it should last. I like the format as long as Rap or Dance aren't mixed in. I do like C&C Music Factory or Young MC or Tone Loc, but in my opinion it doesn't need to follow Cheap Trick or Styx or Blondie. But I do like the Adult Hits sound it's aiming for. It took me awhile to listen to it and like it actually.
8) What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you at a remote?
I remember one time at a station, I was doing a remote at a car dealership and I was supposed to mention the car dealership's name every so often during the breaks. I was wondering why the owner of the car dealership at one break was very mad at me, but then I realized I was mentioning the competitor's car dealership's name instead of his. The competitor had a big sign across the street and I guess the name got stuck in my head.
9) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air? (dead air ... forget a mic was still on ... etc.)
I'll never forget I was working on-air at some anonymous station when I said hi to a bakery on-air and thanked them for listening to me. Just a simple hello, that's all. It was my first on-air gig and apparently the owner of the station wasn't too pleased with me saying hello to someone on the air, so he literally punished me. I had to come in everyday after that and clean the gum off the floor and kill the spiders on the ceiling. That really taught me never to say hi to anybody on the air and never again be friendly to anyone.
10) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
Have fun, be passionate, work hard and don't burn bridges.
Bonus Questions
What do you do in your spare time?
I travel a lot, about once a month. I'm also heavily into cruising. Another passions of mine is gambling. So between gambling and cruising, I'm really probably 80 years old not 31.
What are your three favorite artists or songs of this year?
I like Ne-Yo, James Blunt, and of course Rob Zombie. What an eclectic mix of artists. How would you like to go that concert?
Describe your favorite meal?
An egg white omelet at The Cheesecake Factory. Oh my, its that tasty at either 11am or 11pm. They know me very well at Cheesecake Factory, and rumors are going on that the omelet may change it's name to the "Mark the Shark" omelet. When I was doing radio in Billings Montana, a restaurant had a burger on the menu called the "Mark the Shark Burger."
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