10 Questions with ... Matt Stone

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• WKBI/St. Mary's, PA (Top 40) - Nights - 1998-2000
• WGMR/State College, PA (Alternative) - Nights - 2000-2001
• WJAD/Albany, GA (Classic Rock) - Middays - 2001-2002
• Cumulus/Albany, GA - Production Dir. - 2002-2003
• WRRX/Pensacola, FL (Active Rock) APD - 2003-2004
• WSMS/Starkville, MS (Mainstream Rock) PD/Afternoons - 2005-2006
• WMXZ/Destin, FL (Hot AC) - PD/Afternoons - 2006-2007
• WTMT/Asheville, NC (Classic Rock) - PD/Afternoons - 2007-2008
• KRUZ/Santa Barbara, CA (Hot AC) PD/mornings - 2008-Present
• KBBY/Ventura, CA (Hot AC) - PD 2008-Present

1) What Got You Interested In Radio?

I have always been a complete music freak! When I was a kid I would play DJ for parties my parents were having, took request and gave the guests details about the songs they were hearing. I always researched the artists that I listened to. I was show-prepping before I knew what it was! I was that kid that always called a radio station to request songs. I always voted on the smash it or trash it shows. Yeah...I was (and still am) a radio nerd. I knew I wanted to be in radio when I was a kid listening to our hometown morning guys John and Erik on WKBI in Saint Mary's and thinking, those guys are having so much fun, and that's what they do for a living. Now I'm in!

2) Who do you consider your radio mentors?

John Salter (Owner/Operator WQKY/St. Mary's PA), Val Garris (Cumulus Rock Guru), Dan McClintock (PD WXKR & WRWK/Toledo), Emily Boldon (Cumulus Format Director), Bruce Pollock (Current GM), and Steve Goldstein (Saga Group PD).

3) What's the recipe for KRUZ's Uniqueness?

KRUZ is unique for several reasons. We cherry pick the songs from the Hot AC chart that fit the specific flavor we are looking for. Then we spice it up with a title or two from AAA, and a dash of Alternative. Then we take that selection of currents throw it in a mixing bowl with an amazingly diverse Gold library ranging from the late 70s to the 2000s. Then bake at 97.5 degrees and enjoy!

4) How would you describe the music and imaging on your station?

We have a very talented voice guy in Drew Patterson. He gives thee station personality even though we are automated much of the day. The image is simple and thought provoking with simple beds and no zaps or big effects.

5) What type of features do you run on the station?

We spotlight comedy cuts on the 5 O' Clock Funnies. And then on Sunday nights we do a local show with George Pendergast from Dishwalla hosting. We keep the features very light. Our motto is "Let the music be the feature." Well, not really but it sounds pretty good. We keep the spotlight on the music and the artists. Our currents are introduced by the artist themselves helping build a direct connection with the artist, the listener, and the station.

6) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?

I was lucky enough to be able to make it to a John Mayer "secret show" at the Troubadour in Hollywood. To be able to see John in such an intimate setting was amazing! It was a few months before "Battle Studies" would be released. I remember looking at my girlfriend and saying "Man, That Who Says I Can't Get Stoned" song is kinda catchy?" We got to experience the new album before anyone else which made it even more special.

7) What research tools do you use to program your station?

I like to use Mediabase and All Access of course!

8) Besides your own, what format would you like to program and why?

I have always enjoyed programming Rock stations. Much of my career was spent in Rock and I have to say the Rock guys have a much wilder time than us Hot AC fellows. Now, while I have become accustomed to the lighter shows, I do miss rocking out with a bunch of crazy metal heads at a Tool show. There is nothing like the die hard fans of Rock stations. Those guys bleed their favorite Rock stations. Especially when I was programming in the South. "My favorite listener quote of all time while I was on the air in Starkville, MS... "Would it kill ya'll to play a little f*ckin' Foghat!?!?"

9) What was the last book you read?

"The Rum Diary" by Hunter S. Thompson. This story will remind any true radio guy of his or her own story at some point. Although the story is about transient reporters, the characters are not very different from the characters we all encounter everyday in these crazy hallways of radio. I highly recommend this book to anyone in radio!

10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

"Less is more." Say as much as you can in the least amount of words.