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10 Questions with ... Mike Dawson
July 5, 2006
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NAME:Mike DawsonTITLE:Technical Director/Voice GuyMARKET:Los Angeles (and several more)COMPANY:CBS RadioBORN:3/12/74RAISED:Concord, CA
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Nights/MD 7 years at KTYD in Santa Barbara, Nights/MD 2 years at KPLN in San Diego, Middays at
Max FM for six months in San Francisco. Plus Music Director for the 2002 Winter Olympics, Radio X and Music stage host for X Games and Winter X Games.
1. How did you get your start in radio?
A week before my graduation from UCSB, my Dad called and told me he was coming down with the truck to move me back home. I told him I got an internship in radio sales in Santa Barbara and I was going to flip pizzas and park cars while I tried to make it work. I was offered a job in radio sales, but turned it down. I landed my first programming gig as a weekend board op at
KSBL in Santa Barbara, running the board for Casey Kasem and Jim Brickman's syndicated shows.
2. What are you passionate about?
My career. I'm sure my friends get really tired of it, but it's all I ever talk about. Sunday through Thursday night it's work, eat and sleep. Sometimes I forget to eat. I'm also a singer/songwriter, and I love performing.
3. You've been a jock and music director for years, and now you're providing voice work and tech direction for a major morning talk show- how did that come about, and what differences are you finding with the job so far? Do you miss the music aspect of your job?
Well, I was canned by the format change in San Diego from classic rock to FM talk. When I found out Adam Carolla was taking over mornings, I started writing letters and emails to Jack Silver. My stuff wound up in Jimmy Kimmel's hands but I didn't get an interview. I never gave up. In the meantime I was doing the midday shift at 95.7 Max FM in San Francisco when I saw the post for the Carolla gig on All Access. All it said was "work long hours and don't bitch. voice work a plus". I thought, that's me. With a little help from a good friend in KLSX sales, I got an interview, an audition and the job. Here's the best part though: they offered the job to someone else before me. I heard he turned it down because it wasn't an "on air" gig. I've been meaning to send a 'thank you' card. Yes, I miss being a jock. I miss the music aspect of radio. But it's totally worth it. I have the freedom to be creative, write and produce. Not everything I create makes it to air; there's a learning curve with this new gig. Carolla has this real, organic comedy thing that I'm slowly tapping into.
4. You've done a lot of sports-related work, as a music director for the Winter Olympics and as a host at the X Games, ski championships, and other events. What's your favorite sport- to play or to watch- and why?
Call me crazy, but I love any international soccer broadcasts in Spanish. I grew up playing and always loved the game, but I can't watch MLS. American commentators, small field and a game clock? No offense, but we're still way behind the Spanish dudes. I don't speak a lick, but as long as you follow the call's energy, you'll follow the game. And every now and then they say "cabeza" and "gol". I know what those words mean.
5. You're a professional (recorded) musician, too- what do you get out of your music that you don't get from radio or anything else?
The way you connect to an audience from the stage is incredible. Unlike radio, you can see the faces in the audience and get their reaction. You know immediately if a song or banter works. You can't get that from radio.
6. Who are your influences, your mentors, your inspirations in radio and in life?
Jim Ladd and my Uncle Joe Benson are my favorite jocks. I have a good friend and mentor, Mike Lazaro, who's taught me a lot about life. And my parents. They raised me well and always encouraged me to achieve my dreams.
7. Of what are you most proud?
Landing the Carolla gig. Hands down.
8. What do you do for fun?
I play music and write songs. I also produce for fun. I like to call it "making noise." It's a good thing I love my job, because it's really all I do during the week. It's what I do for fun. I used to hike, swim and play soccer, but now all I do is work and gig every now and then .
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.
...music.
10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?
The best advice I ever got is this: speak of the sun and you'll see its rays. As long as you believe something is going to happen, and you talk about it like it is going to happen, then it will happen. I've been doing it for years.
The worst advice I ever got? That's pretty tough, since I don't encourage or offer unsolicited advice. I haven't done myself wrong yet, so I'll keep on doing what I do until I screw myself.
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