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10 Questions with ... Todd Michaels
February 2, 2009
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NAME:Todd MichaelsEMAIL:toddradio@gmail.comTITLE:Morning HostSTATIONS:Dial-Global 24/7 Radio Network's Hot AC formatMARKET:115 affiliatesCOMPANY:Dial-Global (24/7 Radio Network)BORN:St. Louis; now in Los AngelesRAISED:St. Louis; now in Los Angeles
Please outline your radio career so far:
Dial-Global 24/7 Radio Network (formerly Westwood One)/Los Angeles (2005-Present);
KKGO (Go Country 105)/Los Angeles (2008-Present);
WIL-FM/St. Louis, MO (2003-2004);
KWNR, KSNE, KFMS (Kiss-FM)/Las Vegas (2000-2003);
KZZO, KYMX, KSFM/Sacramento (1997-2000)
KYSR (Star 98.7)/Los Angeles (1997)1) Who were your early influences?
Rick Dees and Casey Kasem were my heroes, and still are. I also paid close attention to the jocks on the old KHTR (Hitradio 103)/St. Louis and I even interned there.
2) Describe a typical day in your position?
It's starts at 2 AM. I get into the network around 2:30a, the show goes live in all the time zones at 3a Pacific and doesn't stop. It's an intense four hours of insanity making everything happen in the studio and what goes to listeners sound BIG and larger than life! The rest of the day is all about planning breaks, bits and interviews for the next day or next week. It doesn't stop all day long. Even at home or running errands, I'm tied to my laptop and cell.
3) How did you get your present job?
It was end of '04 and Westwood One in L.A was looking for a host for its syndicated show "Saturday Night '80s." Charlie Cook and Jim Hays pulled me in, got me back to L.A, and sweetened the deal with the gig to also host the Hot AC network morning show.
4) What is your favorite part of the job?
I absolutely love doing celebrity interviews. The best is getting them to laugh, especially if they're a hard nut to crack (i.e. William Shatner). The key is to bring up either something comical that just happened in the news or something funny, but little-known from their past.
5) Why would someone listen to your station instead of listening to music on their iPod?
We provide listeners with news, artist info, comedy, prizes, interaction with other people, stories, and advice.
6) Your thoughts on Syndication and Voice-Tracking?
I'm stuck in the middle. Of course, as the host of a syndicated show I love syndication. But I've also seen where voice-tracking has left many friends in the industry.
7) What do you believe will be the next trend in music technology?
I LOVE that some new cells feature FM radio! If your station or show has yet to set up texting, get on it.
8) What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you at a remote?
When the EZ Up suddenly blew down taking everyone and everything with it. I'm surprised no prize pig sued us.
9) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
Stop researching so much! If a tune feels good, try it! So many great songs go unheard because the same old tunes are run into the ground. As for promo peeps, they need to be well-organized, creative, connected, buttoned-up and make sure street presence is catchy, attractive and pertinent to the station's P1. Work WITH the sales staff!
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
I was a College Intern at News/Talk giant KMOX-AM/St. Louis one summer. The News Editor wanted to HIRE me, but the News Director said "NO" because he wanted me to finish school first. I still debate whether that was a missed opportunity.
As a singer/songwriter, a couple years after moving to L.A., music producer George Tobin ("Tiffany") heard my demo and met with me. He was looking for the next Elvis! So he sent me to work in a studio with some cats whose job was to groom me to be like "The King." Well, I learned a really good lesson: "Ya' gotta find out who YOU are and BE YOURSELF! Ha ha!"
Bonus Questions1) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I was singing and writing pop songs before I jumped into radio, so I'd likely be involved somehow with the record biz.
2) What area of your "game" do you want to improve?
Being on top of your game isn't just a matter of experience, skills, training and connections. No matter what someone does for a living, diet, exercise, personal time, downtime and SLEEP are so important. Seriously, I need to find a balance to be able to chill sometimes. I live on like five hours of sleep a night!
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