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10 Questions with ... Alisa Hashimoto
September 27, 2005
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NAME:Alisa HashimotoPOSITION:MDSTATION:KPLZ (STAR 101.5)MARKET:Seattle, WACOMPANY:Fisher RadioHOMETOWN:Seattle, WA
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I was a Sales Assistant at Smooth Jazz KNUA here in Seattle. (I was typing proposals on an IBM Selectric). Then I moved to KPLZ as a Sales Assistant. From there I moved into programming as an Assistant for STAR 101.5, Talk Radio station KVI-AM, and KOMO-AM. It was just a natural transition to start working with the record people.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I used to collect trade magazines. I would look at all the charts and try to recognize all the songs. When I was a kid, I made the mix tapes for all of our parties, and I would keep the flow going to change the dynamics of the music. That's when I realized that would love to do this for a living.
3) How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?
I look at a lot of things. I look at album sales, both nationally and locally. I also talk to our listeners a lot. I ask them about their favorite artists, and what they like about the various songs. I watch the trends on several format charts. I've noticed that one artist can trigger a trend. Maroon 5, John Mayer, Creed and Coldplay all sparked a new sound in Hot AC. You always have to be on the lookout for the next trend.
4) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
We're now competing with satellite, i-Pods, the Internet and more. The music is not exclusive but we can build strong bonds with our listeners through great personalities, a solid community connection, compelling content and exceptional contesting and marketing. There is also exciting new technology that radio has begun to integrate into their strategy. Whether it is HD Radio or streaming to mobile devices, radio is on the doorstep of a major revolution in the way content is brought to listeners.
5) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Absolutely! Before I got into radio, I had jobs that were really boring to me. Being Music Director here is never boring! Music is my passion and I'm very fortunate to get to be surrounded by it all the time.
6) What's your take on current music? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same? Elaborate.
The music seems to go in waves. Overall, this year has come up short of a lot of good Hot AC music, especially when it comes to female artists. Most of the female artists like Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, D.H.T. and Gwen Stefani needed to be borrowed from other formats. Anna Nalick is the one exception to that. Fortunately, our format allows us to play a few of these "borrowed artists" during lean times.
7) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?
The best concert I've been to so far this year was a private listener acoustic performance by Jason Mraz. He is one of the most talented singer/songwriters out there right now. He has a quick wit that he incorporates into his songs, and his natural singing voice is beyond amazing.
8) What was the first song or full-length release you purchased?
It was a CHICAGO record. I picked strawberries all summer to save up enough to buy their first three albums.
9) Tell us what music we would find on your car or home CD player, turntable, or i-Pod?
Right now I'm listening to The Fray, Melissa Etheridge, Jem, John Legend, U2, Madeleine Peyroux, Mariah Carey, Switchfoot, Brian Setzer, Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Nickel Creek, Nelly McKay and various pieces of vintage rock and jazz. Chicago included, of course.
10) What is the most rewarding promotion or activity your station has ever been involved with to benefit the community or a charity?
Each year, Star 101.5 does the "Bras Across Lake Washington" charity promotion. Our listeners donate bras through our collection drives. Then on a chilly October morning our Morning Show Producer, Leonard Barokas, parasails across the lake next to Interstate 90 with a long sting of those bras attached to the sail. The bras are then washed and donated to charity. This is to bring awareness to the fight against breast cancer. This year all the bras are being donated to Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts. We also do some fun events like our annual "Weiner Dog Races." People go crazy for that event!
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