-
10 Questions with ... Sam Hill
April 20, 2009
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Sam HillTITLE:MD/APD/Midday Air-PersonalityMARKET:Denver, COCOMPANY:EntercomBORN:May 7, 1974 in Spokane, WARAISED:Eastern/Central Washington and North Idaho
Please outline your radio career so far:
KZZU/SPOKANE, WA (Top 40) (May '92 - May '95)
KNJY/SPOKANE, WA Z-Rock (Active Rock) (Dec. '96 - May '99)
KWHK/SPOKANE, WA - (Classic Hits) (May 99- June 2000) (KWHK was formerly KNJY, format flipped, but I stayed on).
KAEP/SPOKANE, WA - (AAA) (Oct. 2001-March 2002)
KCDA/SPOKANE, WA - (Modern Rock and later Hot AC) (March 2002-July 2005)
KKZX/SPOKANE, WA - (Classic Rock) (October 2003- July 2005)
KALC/DENVER, CO - (Hot AC) (July 2005-Present)1) What Got You Interested In Radio?
When I was 13 years old I heard an intern butchering the morning news on my favorite Spokane radio station when the news woman was out on vacation. I thought to myself, if I ever had the chance to do the same I wouldn't let my nerves get the best of me. I got my chance six years later on the very same station. It was pretty surreal at the time.
2) Who were your early influences?
I will always consider "The Breakfast Boys," Dave Sposito and Ken Hopkins at KZZU as my biggest early influences. They gave me a chance to be their Intern, forever destroying me for any other career. Ha ha!
3) Who do you consider your radio mentor(s)?
The above mentioned as well as Casey Christopher, Rob Harder, Paul "Coyote" Neumann, Jon McGann and my current PD Dylan Sprague. Each one of these peers/bosses has taught me essential things that have helped me grow and learn throughout my career.
4) What is your favorite part of the job?
I love that every day is different than the last. I never know exactly how my day is going to roll out. I need that variety and day-to-day challenge!
5) Describe a typical day in your position?
There are no 'typical' days in my position! But on any given day you can find me doing the following:
- A live 5-hour airshift
- Music logs for Alice and The Mountain
- Organizing everything I can lay my hands on... except my desk apparently.
- Programming my specialty shows
- Writing promos/imaging
- Checking out new tunes
- Attending meetings
- Thinking up kick-ass promotions
- Writing blogs
- Filming stuff for Alice TV
- Walking down the hallway with a big dumb smile because I love my job
- Etc... etc...
6) How did you get your present job?
I was brought in by Charese Fruge. I still give thanks that she brought me here. I love Colorado!
7) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
That answer keeps changing. I think I would've liked to be a Professor of Anthropology or a cellist. I used to say pharmacist but I cannot imagine doing that now... for multiple reasons. Ha!
8) For someone vacationing in your market, what one thing would you say they "must see"?
Red Rocks is a must-see! Drag-queen brunch at the Bump-n-Grind on Saturday or Sunday is always a good time. Also- one of my personal favs is the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. Oh, and the vampire grave just north of the city. There's also that little tiny dive bar with the 25 cent beer sign in the middle of nowhere. I specialize in everything not 'the norm.' My guests normally get shown a plethora of places- and occasionally I traumatize them- in a good way.
9) What's been your biggest disappointment in Radio today?
It seems a lot of people have forgotten the original purpose and creed of radio. It feels like service to the community is not a priority anymore with some people. That is highly disappointing. I also get a bit disappointed when I see people who have forgotten where they came from and what it's like to be down in the game. I feel very fortunate to work for a company that doesn't make me feel disappointment in those areas.
10) Describe your weekly music meeting ... a) what is the process when you listen to new music? b) approximately how important by percentage is gut, research, sales, video play, and chart position when determining the status of a record?
I love our weekly music meetings for Alice. We drag in random people from around the building and just blast tunes for as long as we all have. It's such fun for me and Dylan to see various people's reaction to the music we are considering for the station. It really forces us to look at a song from many different perspectives.
Bonus Questions
1) What do you like best about your job? Least?
Best - I get to play music for a living!
Least - I'm terrified to take vacation because I don't want to miss anything!
2) What do you plan to do different this year, regarding work, family, or both?
I would really like to be a bit better at balancing my time everywhere but that's always the story. I would LOVE to get some improvements done around my house and spend a little more time outdoors with my friends and family.
3) Any artist riders or contract nightmares you'd like to share?
One time, I was helping gather the green-room requirements for a band that was turning out to be a little on the high-maintenance side (they shall remain anonymous). I spent hours going to different stores looking for this ONE very specific scent of glade candle. Finally- after failing to find it I chose a kind that I thought was similar in fragrance. The tour manager was visibly irritated but when the band showed up - one of the guys said "Wow- someone got the right candles!"
It turns out the rider was incorrect and they kept getting the wrong candles. I had luckily guessed at the ones they really preferred.
4) How do you prep yourself for your radio shift?
I spend about 15 minutes weeping in the shower and then I'm ready. Actually, my whole life is prep for my radio shift. I always try to think of ways to just relate to people. It's pretty basic really.
-
-