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10 Questions with ... Fred Roggin
December 5, 2006
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NAME:Fred RogginTITLE:Morning Show Co-Host; Sports AnchorBORN:Arizona
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started in radio in 1976 in Globe, Arizona at KIKO. Was the play by play voice for the high school teams (Globe Tigers and Miami Vandals) and hosted night time top 40 show as "Uncle Fred." Moved to Yuma, Arizona hosting midday show as "Rock and Roll Roggin" while doing the play by play for Kofa High School games. Started in TV in Yuma for $5 dollars a night. Moved from Yuma to Austin, Texas to work at the ABC television affiliate KVUE. From Austin, moved back to Phoenix to the NBC station (KPNX). In 1980 moved to Los Angeles to KNBC where I've been for 26 years.
1. You started in radio before embarking on your long TV career- what made you want to go into sportscasting?
My mother wanted me to become an attorney. My dream was to become an NBA official or Major League Umpire. I passed up a 4 year college scholarship and decided to attend Phoenix Jr. College and major in mass communications. After 6 months I decided I wanted to get paid for talking and applied to KIKO radio in Globe, Arizona. The objective was to do play by play and gain experience. The reality: to get that job I also had to host the night time top 40 show and sell my own spot time. Welcome to radio.
2. What are you passionate about?
First and foremost my family. I also take what I do seriously but not myself.
3. You added a local radio show a few years back (at crosstown KMPC) to your already packed schedule doing TV- why did you decide to do radio on top of all of your other work? Today, with your channel 4 sports anchoring and "The Challenge" and everything else you do, how do you find the time to do a morning radio show, too? Do you sleep?
They say sleep is over rated but I can tell you it is not. Sometimes things get a little hazy, but I've always enjoying learning new things. If I'm not growing, I'm bored. KMPC gave me the chance to learn the fundamentals of talk radio. KLAC has given me the opportunity to practice them on a grand stage. That was an opportunity too good to pass up.
4. You were raised in Phoenix but you've been at KNBC since 1980, so you're uniquely qualified to answer the age-old question: what kind of sports town IS L.A.? You know the stereotypes- leaving in the seventh inning, everyone's from someplace else, nobody cares about the NFL- but what's the truth about the city as a sports town?
The perception around the country is that Los Angeles if full of fans that go to events to be seen rather than see the event. Although Southern California is a melting pot of people from around the country, there is a very loyal fan base for all Los Angeles teams. They may not be as vocal as those on the East Coast, but they exist.
5. You've got a nice-guy, funny-guy image, and now you're working with a guy that his readers love to hate. How do you see your role alongside T.J. Simers (and Tracy)? Is this as much of an Odd Couple pairing as it might appear at first blush?
At first blush my role is survival. T.J. is opinionated, and my role is not only to challenge him but to educate him on becoming a warm, caring human being like me.
6. You've won several Emmys and other awards, had nationally syndicated shows, done "The Tonight Show" several times... and you've had rough times, too. Through it all, what was the one most memorable moment you've had in the business?
I've been blessed in many ways professionally being able to realize dreams. I'm always excited when we create a new show or a new segment for the news.
If I had to pick one it would be the first time I was on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson."
7. Who do you consider your influences and/or mentors? Who made you what you are today?
I lost my parents when I was young: my father when I was 13 and my mother when I was 25. Although I can't see them, I know they're always with me.
Whether I can see them or not, they had and always will make the greatest impact.
8. What do you do for fun?
Spend time with my wife and kids. I look forward to the weekends when the kids play their games. I look forward to their performances at school.
And we all love hockey.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.
...laughing.
10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?
No matter what you do, be the best at it. If you choose to sweep streets, be the best street sweeper. (My mother's advice when I was young)
You're throwing your life away if you take that radio job in Globe, Arizona. (My mother's advice when I was leaving home)
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