10 Questions with ... Steve Gregory

NAME:Steve Gregory TITLE:Reporter / Anchor STATION:KFI MARKET:Los Angeles COMPANY:Clear Channel BORN:1964 RAISED:Colorado

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

First went on the air in 1982 as an overnighter doing weather updates between syndicated programming. Went to college to be a band director, but got hooked on radio because of a buddy of mine. Tried my hand at FM, doing morning drive at an AC station in Pueblo, CO. From there, I moved to a news/talker where I hosted a daily entertainment/variety show (At the same time, I hosted the morning show for the Nostalgia format across the hall). Then, moved to a country station across town as the news and traffic guy; got moved back to the news/talker (under new ownership). Stayed there for a few years anchoring morning news and hosting a talk show. I moved on to the local PBS affiliate as on-air host, marketing manager, and eventually, program director - the whole time I was still doing radio. My PBS position was eliminated and I was appointed as marketing and media director of the Colorado State Fair. When that assignment ended, I moved to KFYI in Phoenix. I was a reporter/anchor and hosted a weekly talk show. After about 5 years, I was hired by KFI in Los Angeles.

1. You didn't start in radio news; how did you go from being a music major and PBS station TV host to radio news guy?

I realized I wasn't going to make a living teaching music (little did I know radio would be the same) so, I got out of the music school - But, I did continue as a symphony percussionist for 14 years and taught marching band. I had always played that 'radio guy' in high school and college. Apparently, I had a 'radio' voice. I was given a shot to host a morning show on a tiny station (KAYK-AM) in a metal shack in Pueblo, CO. I would host from 6AM to 10AM, do a couple hours of production, have lunch, then hit the streets selling ads for the station. I fell into the news thing purely by accident. From there, I delevoped my skills working alongside some of the local talent. I moved on to bigger stations and eventually TV. I grew up listening to CBS Radio News and had always tried to mimick their delivery style. Oh, in between all of this, I ran a fast food restaurant and co-owned a restaurant (still doing radio on the side). Little did I know that someday I would be on KFI in LA.

2. About what are you most passionate these days?

I serve on the board of directors for the Radio Television News Association and the Associated Press Television Radio Association. As such, I have taken on the responsibility of coordinating a committee that puts reporters in front of LAPD officers during their training, and recommendations for a new credentialing scheme. I am dedicated to fostering a better relationship between LAPD (law enforcement) and the media.

3. You do both field reporting and anchoring. What are the best and worst things about being out in the field?

The best part is the experience of witnessing a major story unfold before your eyes - meeting so many different people with interesting stories. And, being part of something possibly historic. The worst thing is the traffic and the parking... oh, and a bad signal from the truck to the studio!

4. KFI's news style is unusual in that the reporters are more colloquial and often interact with the local hosts. How difficult was it to adapt to that style? Has a host ever thrown you to the point of speechlessness or, at least, surprise?

My program director, Robin Bertolucci, is credited with infusing the reporter with the talk shows - she really promotes the reporter as a personality. I grew up with the 'news versus talk' mentality. But, it really gives me a chance to expound on the story, enhanced with audio that wouldn't fit into a regular thiry second news story. The hosts are always trying to get me to offer a opinion on something. But, I just tell them, "Hey that's your opinion - I just deal with what I see and hear" - actually, they pretty much know our boundaries. My fellow reporters and I are pretty comfortable with all of our hosts. A former host did try to wrangle me in to an opinion about the Prophet Mohammed cartoon story - I covered a panel session at UC Irvine and the host kept badgering me for what I thought. I finally told him, on air, that I don't get paid enough for my opinion.

5. You've worked on panels dealing with the relationship between the LAPD and reporters, so you have some insight into the often adversarial relationship between the press and the people it covers. In the last 15 years, do you perceive that the police, the government, and the public are more or less trusting of the press in general?

Less trusting. The need to be first and exclusive has put an strain on the relationship between police and media. And, the advent of camera-phones, web-based news outlets and a more aggressive paparazzi have added to the frustration. Officers I have spoken with have either been burned by the media, or have had colleagues/friends burned by a reporter. It's a grudge not easily forgotten. As for the public, I think the appetite for 'gossip' as news and TV's constant use of paparazzi-style visuals has cheapened the industry and the public's perception of legitimate journalism. Many outlets don't hire reporters/journalists, they hire people who know how to perform. That adds to the distrust.

6. What were your favorite and least favorite reporting assignments?

Favorites: Hurricane Katrina, Anything at the US/Mexico Border, Wildfires, Prison standoff outside Phoenix (living 13 days in a news truck), Pearl Harbor Ceremony in Hawaii, Backstage at the Oscars-Emmys-Grammys, and the 1st Anniversary of 9/11 from Ground Zero.

Least Favorite: Following the LA Mayor, City Council meetings, County Board of Supervisors meetings, and any press conference with these individuals.

7. Who are your mentors, inspirations, and/or influences?

The voices of CBS News (radio), especially the old school. Edward R. Murrow (man, could he verbally paint a picture).

8. Of what are you most proud?

I've been proud of many of my stories, but the stories I haven't been the happiest with seem to get the most listener feedback. I'm proud of the ability to convey a story to someone and have them react. People have told me they've cried, laughed and been pissed off after hearing one of my stories. I'm proud of the work I've been a part of at KFI - I work with the best in the business (management on down). I'm also very proud of the work ethic I inherited from my parents.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.

...at least 1 Diet Pepsi (never got in to the coffee thing), and a good out-loud laugh!!!

10. What's the best advice you ever got? The worst?

Best: Get to know the engineer

Worst: Don't worry about it, it's only running on the weekend.