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10 Questions with ... Coleen Quinn
April 5, 2021
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started part-time at Y102 in 1994 as weekend talent. Within 6 months was filling in on middays and for the copywriter both of whom were pregnant and going on leave. Promoted to music director after first year and secured the midday slot. Promoted to Program Director after second year. In 2001 they tried simulcasting Rick Dees in the morning and the Victor Valley said they didn’t like it and wanted local, so after 6 weeks they put me in the morning show slot. I wasn’t that good but worked hard, figured it out and here I am celebrating 20 years on the morning show. Was promoted to Operations Manager in 2015 which includes a little of everything … morning show, music director, promotions, I do afternoon drive on our Classic Rock station 106.5 The Fox and oversee 6 stations for El Dorado. Yes, I’ve been with the same station for 27 years!
1. How has navigating the pandemic made you a better programmer?
I realized how many people truly hear what we say and count on us for some form of normality. We really focused on the immediate needs and concerns of our listeners which involves not only broadcasting to them, but listening to them as well.
2. In addition to overseeing the cluster, you also do mornings on Y102. Happy 20th anniversary!! That’s a lot of alarm clocks. What have some of the highlights been along the way?
So many! I’ve ridden in a hot air balloon, flown to location to test drive SUV’s for a huge company, met and interviewed many artists. The biggest highlight is to do the morning show in the city I was born and being able to entertain, inform and often help my community.
3. Who would be an ultimate dream guest that you’d love to have plug in across from you in the studio and why?
This is hard. At this moment, right now, I would have to say P!nk. She is a strong, talented woman that is a great mom and wife, has a successful career and is not afraid to let anyone know where she stands or how she feels. I am only good at being me, not someone other people want me to be or think I should be. I can’t and won’t fake it. I feel like she is mostly her true self.
4. You are deeply involved in the community. What are some of the charity events that you’ve been a part of really stand out?
The Today’s Woman Expo because it’s all about empowering and helping women to be their best. A Better Way Domestic Violence Shelter, seeing women bloom as they become independent from the violence. Read Across America Day, so great to read to kids! Every Little League first pitch that I’ve thrown out across the High Desert. I could go on. I love being out in the community!
5. Obviously, it’s been tough to get out and be with your audience. What are some of the things that the station has been doing to keep engaged?
Being live in the morning helps a lot so I make sure I get to every phone call that I can, answer every email or social media message when possible. We’ve done several socially distanced events, including giving out back to school supplies via drive thru and a drive thru Halloween event. And of course promotions that the help the audience like giving out Chromebooks for students, gas cards and cash!
6. What social media platforms have been working well for you lately?
The 2 big ones, Facebook and Instagram
7. What led you to a career in radio?
I always loved radio and still do. My love of music as well. I was never much of a television person, just wanted to listen to and be on the radio! I always felt this is what I was meant to do.
8. What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
The connection to the community where I live, the music and I get to be on the radio with my husband Preston Stone (he does traffic and co-hosts) every morning!
9. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
The Mighty 690 when I was very young, The Casey Kasem Countdown, 96.7 KCAL-Stu and The Crew and 95.5 KLOS-Joe Benson.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
Stu from KCAL was always great to me and didn’t tell me that I could never do radio--I would say he had the biggest influence in getting me to go for it. I was hired by a guy named BJ Kelly who showed me the ropes. One of our GM’s, Tim Anderson, was a great leader and mentor that loved everything about radio. Mark Mitchell, our VP of programming, has taught me a lot and always supports me.
Bonus Questions
With an unlimited budget, what 3-5 acts would you pull together for a Post-COVID listener appreciation party?
For our listeners: Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, P!nk, Maroon 5 and The Weeknd.
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