10 Questions with ... David Glass

NAME:David Glass TITLE:Afternoon Talk Show Host STATION:KSRO MARKET:Santa Rosa, CA COMPANY: Maverick Media BORN:Oct. 11, 1947 RAISED:By a widowed mother of three children

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

20 Years as sportscaster broadcasting San Francisco Giants Baseball from 1981 to 1985 with Lindsey Nelson and Hank Greenwald.

1. You started in radio baseball play-by-play right out of San Diego State -- what drew you to radio? And what got you back into it after politics?

I graduated from San Diego State in 1970 and my first baseball job was in El Paso in the double A Texas League in 1972. I love the interaction of live radio, and in the talk show format, I do not have to make road trips. I got into politics to advocate for an unrepresented minority in Petaluma that had been habitual victims of flooding disasters and to advocate for strong environmental standards and smart growth transit oriented development and economic development and revitalization of downtown Petaluma. Much of that was accomplished during my four-year term as Mayor. During that time, I developed a relationship with the program director of KSRO radio, which led to an opportunity to get back into broadcasting after a ten-year hiatus. It didn't take long to decide I wanted the opportunity to return to broadcasting.

2. About what are you most passionate these days?

On a personal basis, my family and the future for my 16-year-old daughter's generation. On a professional basis, the radio program allows me to broaden the discussion of political issues that our listeners care about. This is a progressive region, and it allows us to be different from many programs that are on the air in other parts of the country. Our guests have covered the entire political spectrum, from Dennis Kucinich to John Bolton, and I think that adds to the program. While I am a progressive, it is surprising the number of conservatives that listen to the program and offer their perspective that is certainly different from mine.

3. a) You're a Democrat in a field that's still mostly conservative/Republican -- is there room for Democrats on mostly conservative talk radio stations? b) Can differing political viewpoints co-exist on stations?

a) Yes there is room. Our station is neither liberal nor conservative. We offer equal access to both parties as well as independents. We have noticed however, that Republicans are much quicker to take advantage of invitations to come on radio while Democrats to date have been much more cautious and don't always respond to our invitations to come on the program.

b) Yes... not only co-exist but also thrive. We are in a large market area where listeners can easily listen to the single point of view on other stations. I believe it is our willingness to attract all points of view that allows us to attract a very loyal audience.

4. a) What, if any, advantage is there in being a talk radio host who has served as mayor of a local municipality? b) How important is talking about local issues to your show?

a) It gives me an insight into the challenges and potential solutions of local issues. Our program is wide open to local, regional, state, national and international issues. Having served as a Mayor has given our program access to local and statewide decision makers, which is an asset for the program.

b) It is important. It is what separates us from the San Francisco talk stations. However, there is not enough in the way of local issues to build a three-hour daily program around such issues, and many local issues are so localized as to be neighborhood issues and not much interest on a countywide basis. That always has to be taken into consideration.

5. What would you say is the highlight of your radio career so far, in sportscasting and as a talker?

I hope that the highlight hasn't happened yet. But to date in sportscasting it was the opportunity to broadcast major league every day for five years. It was a particular highlight on days the games were carried around the world on the American Forces radio network. As a talk show host the highlight was the opportunity to interview President Jimmy Carter.

6. You've interviewed a lot of major political, sports, and celebrity guests; who have been the best and worst guests? What do you look for in booking guests?

We have been fortunate to have great guests on the program. It is hard to come up with a list of best guests in that each one has had an interesting story to tell and that is why we have booked them. In my opinion the most compelling stories from our guests came from President Jimmy Carter, Andrew Card, Tyler Drumheller, John Dean, Terry McAuliffe, John Ashcroft, George McGovern, Lanny Davis, and Bud Krogh to name a few in the real world. In sports my favorite interviews were Sandy Koufax, Steve Carlton, Willie Stargell, Pete Rose, Henry Aaron, Frank Robinson, Joe Morgan, Ralph Kiner, Duke Snider, and Bob Uecker. The most stressful interview was Willie Mays, only because it was difficult to get the time with him because of the crush of media around him whenever he would come to the ballpark.

As for the worst guest, I would say Arnold Schwarzenegger... only because he hasn't come on the show and called me a "girly man" yet. In booking guests we look for someone with a compelling story or someone with star power. My producer, Mike DeWald, handles much of the booking for the show. His motivation in seeking out guests is not only to find people with compelling or entertaining stories to tell, but to also seek out bigger names that listeners would never expect to hear on their local radio station.

7. Who are your heroes?

The firemen in New York on 9/11; sorry, I know it is not original, but it is the truth.

8. Of what are you most proud?

My daughter.

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

...a cup of coffee.

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

The best advice was to "Always be true to your heart". This is good advice in life and essential on a live talk show. The worst was being told to "tell it like it is" for a team that lost 100 games in 1985... my last year with the Giants.