10 Questions with ... Rob Carson

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

DEMO:

I started out in music radio in Columbia, MO right out of college at KPLA. During that time, I began writing comedy for radio networks and the Rush Limbaugh Program. I have done radio at KS-95 in Minneapolis, WVMX/Cincinnati and WRQX/DC. I would periodically flirt with talk radio, but it wasn't until around four years ago, I left music and went to talk. I'm glad I waited to get into talk as it's a fortuitous time to be in talk for my brand, which is not just politics.

1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?

I stay busy. I don't have time to get down about things. Yes, there is some worry involved when you leave a station, but I left because of $$, not because of my performance. I know that where I land, bigger and better things will happen.

2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

I'm doing time on some of America's biggest talkers: WLS, WBAP, KHOW, KMOX, KSL and many more. I have built a complete radio and audio/video podcasting facility. I have two hi-def cameras, two mics, broadcast quality audio and graphics using OBS. I do live FB and YouTube videos with guests. The tech has exploded this year, and it's an amazing way to reach listeners with the video medium which has never been more available and cheap. My daily podcast is up on iTunes, iHeartradio, TuneIN, Google+, Player.fm, and Youtube. I have 172 podcasts up now. It's also featured every weeknight on PodcastRadioNetwork.net at 6 p ET, and it's featured on Redmaryland.com and several large FB sites. I'm also doing voice work as my studio is equipped with great mics and great processing. I also write a bit for the terrific prep/comedy service, Wisebrother. I'm also working with a graphic designer, and we have an apparel/swag line with nearly 60 killer designs. I believe this would be a terrific revenue sharing opportunity for my next company/station: www.teepublic.com/user/conservatees.

3) Do you plan on sticking with radio?

Yes, I'm looking for my next great terrestrial radio gig where I can incorporate the skills I've picked up while on the beach. When I left KCMO in November, FB video was shaky, hand held phone video. Now, it's evolved into complete productions with videos and graphics that used to cost thousands of dollars to produce. I'm going to do my radio show, then do a daily video and audio podcasts. I will also use FB and YouTube to promote what's coming up on my show. All of these things are sponsorable. You can see and hear examples here: www.youtube.com/c/RobCarsonShow

4) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?

I was out of full-time radio for nearly two years. In that time, I began doing time on America's biggest talkers from my home studio while waiting for the right gig. I was on WYAY, KKSF, WLS, KMOX, WMAL, WCBM, WPHT, Westwood One Radio Networks and Envision Radio Networks. Randall Bloomquist found me the job at KCMO.

5) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?

I want to work for a big talker and create a show that's not another monologue and phone call political show. I like to bring the best conventions of smart morning music radio and talk to combine politics, pop culture, personal experience, observational humor, great guests and huge comedy. I also want to build a universal FB page for a company that allows posts from great hosts around the county and daily/weekly scheduled FB video live sessions ... sort of its own network.

6) What's the most unbelievable on air bit you were allowed to do?

When I was at KS-95, I was frozen in a block of ice and taken to several locations in the back of a large freezer truck. When I finally came out of the ice block, there were thousands of people there and a marching band. We raised teddy bears for first responders to give to kids in crisis. We got over 5,000 of them. Hubbard Broadcasting launched a massive TV campaign featuring the stunt. I would get recognized all over the place as "the guy who got frozen in ice."

7) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?

I try to be a "complete" entertainer. That means honing my skills in a variety of situations: as an air personality, comedy writer, on-camera talent, standup comedian and speaker. I also try to create multiple platforms for advertisers like sellable benchmarks, web content (including video) and annual events.

8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Building and engineering my home studio. Also, at every station I've worked for, I've been able to use the bully pulpit to help some great people and charities. That's the most rewarding thing about radio to me. No one ever comes up to you and says, "Hey, I loved that interview with ___." They do frequently say, "I'll never forget about the time you helped that woman with cancer."

9) What do you miss most about music radio? The least?

I don't miss the repetition. I do miss the massive cume. When I was WRQX, we were cuming nearly a million people, and they would turn out for events. Music radio is also great for going on trips with listeners and press junkets with Disney, TNT or TBS. The perks in music radio are pretty big.

10) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?

Have balls of steel. This industry will chew and spit you out, but you have to never give up. You have to get in early, stay late, then hit the streets like a politician running for office. Also, do everything you can to increase the value of your currency: Perform on multiple platforms ... on air, on social media, on video and on stage.

Care to contribute a recipe for our "On The Beach" cookbook?

Carson's "Guac of Ages" ™

• 5 avocados
• 1 package grape tomatoes
• 2 jalapenos
• 1 medium red onion
• 1 head of cilantro
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp sea/kosher salt[JS1]
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 lime (squeezed)
• 1 tsp hot sauce

Peel and smash the avocados, slice the grape tomatoes in half and add. Add the onion, diced jalapeno, and seasonings. Finish by chopping and adding the cilantro and hot sauce. You will eat this stuff like pudding. Here's the video: