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10 Questions with ... Joshua Escandon
October 21, 2008
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NAME:Joshua EscandonLAST WITH:KRTH/Los AngelesPHONE:(310) 357-0069EMAIL:JoshuaEscandon@mac.com
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
A native Angeleno, I've followed in the footsteps of my legendary broadcast family. My father, Fernando Escandon, and uncle Eduardo Quezada were both news anchors in the Los Angeles market for over 40 years. My father helped launch KMEX-TV in 1962, while my uncle Eduardo has been anchoring the news for both Univision and Telemundo for the past 27 years.
Before joining K-EARTH 101, I was heard middays on KBIG104 and after only three months on the air, became Arbitron-rated #1, beating rival sister station KOST. Clear Channel noticed and expanded my duties to afternoon drive at Star101.3 in San Francisco, along with hosting Premiere Radio Networks' nationally syndicated radio program "After Midnite." I've been on-air in Southern California for over 15 years.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
I try to always maintain a positive mental attitude. Life, after all, is beautiful and I enjoy it every day to the fullest. Also, laughing my ass off helps! I am very lucky to be hosting "All-Star Comedy" on Friday nights 8p at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood. I cannot begin to tell you who I've had the pleasure of introducing. Chris Rock, Dane Cook, George Lopez, Carlos Mencia, Paul Rodriguez and on and on. Please be my VIP guest and come see for yourself. I promise you will pee in your pants. Just go to JoshuaEscandon.com for free tickets. Or call me ... I'll get you on the VIP list.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
Gosh, I have so many things to do it's ridiculous. Cut my lawn, do the dishes, cook, dress and, oh yeah, shower. Not necessarily in that order. Then I would end up naked, cutting the grass. Anyhow, my personal hobbies are golf and surfing. When I am unemployed, my handicap goes down. Ironic, isn't it? Currently 9 ... was a 7 ... while at KOST, KBIG and KEARTH, pushing 20.
3) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.
My observations from the outside of radio looking in. Hmmm? Well, I am not stuck in a studio isolated from all my co-workers all day anymore. They actually let me go outside and play.
For years, I thought quietly to myself ... what an interesting job being a radio DJ is. I wake up, go to work, talk, talk, talk and play music for a few hours, for the most part, all alone. You'll be having a party, rocking out to the music only to realize it's just you! The air studio is considered such sacred ground co-workers would apologize for even coming in to the studio. By the way, it was always a pleasure to actually get to know the other co-workers. So, yes damn it, I am free at last, thank God Almighty, I am free at last. Free to mingle and participate with others. Yes, it's fun and I wish I could combine both on the radio. Please don't let this declaration preclude you from offering me a great gig in which I take you to #1. Thanks! Please continue reading.
4) Do you plan on sticking with the radio industry?
Yes. I plan on sticking with entertainment in general. It's what I have been doing all of my life -- and even before I was born. It's in the blood. My father, my uncles and aunts were all News Directors, Program Directors, Actors, Producers, Recording Artists and Television News Anchors for Univision and Telemundo. I remember a time when I could turn on one channel and watch my father anchor the 6p and11p, and then turn to the competing channel and watch my uncle. That's 40 years of broadcasting before I was even went on a honeymoon in Hong Kong. Does that make me part Chinese? Anyhow, I have produced radio, been on radio, done mornings, middays, afternoons and nights, spun records for audiences worldwide, produced TV, commercials and soon film. I would say I love L.A., and being born at Hollywood Presbyterian is an indication of my calling perhaps.
5) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?
Kick it down. Side note: You better be able to pay to replace the door with your performance if you decide to enter with such bravado. Business folks and executives don't have time to waste. Let's see your performance history, shall we? Experience and track record will get you ahead.
6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
In radio, another fun one! Fun people, nice working conditions, air-conditioned, add more fun and being able to do what I do best ... host a radio show! Afternoons or nights in Top 40, Hot AC or Alternative formats. I have been doing a lot of voiceover work, TV pilots, plenty of voicetracking and radio imaging. I very much enjoy voicetracking from home. It's amazing how technology has evolved and sounds so live even though I am recording from my home studio for an entirely different market out of state.
7) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
That's an interesting question. Since I am a native of Los Angeles, I have listened to radio throughout my 34 years and worked at most every radio station in the market in some capacity. My start was at 16 at KIIS-FM, KAGR/Ventura, Q105/Oxnard, and 99.1 Riverside. I then started spinning records and became resident DJ for KIIS-FM, Power 106, and KROQ at the Palace Hollywood. That was an incredible experience. I have performed for millions of people in my seven years as resident at the Palace, Century Club, Beverly Club and parlayed that into performing all over the world. Soon after I went back college and then started working at KOST, KBIG104, Star101.3, Premiere Radio Networks and then KEARTH101. I've loved every minute of the experiences and have been the highest-rated jock in Los Angeles 12+ and 25-54 consistently ... and am very proud of the fact that I went from Rick Dees' intern to #1 DJ. Not too shabby for a poor Mexican child from Encino.
My personal listening habits went from listening for work purposes to switching for my own personal pleasure and as demos would have it you can certainly determine I am being somewhat predictable. I like Top 40, Rock, Classic Rock, Hip-Hop, News and Sports.
8) Are you able to slow down and enjoy free time doing things with your family and friends that you probably did not have time to do while you were working?
Yes, absolutely. Out of 18 years of employment and a solid ratings track record, I have only been out of work for less than a year. Not too bad! I find myself spending a lot of time playing with my new puppy, going to the gym, the beach, golfing and partying. Viva La Vida!
9) What do you miss most about music/radio? The least?
Being on the radio. I loved being on the radio every day; I enjoyed the challenge of reinventing myself daily as a live performer with fresh cutting-edge content, humor and pop culture, and presenting it "live" on a daily basis. It is a lot of fun and yes, everybody wants to be a DJ. : P
The least favorite experience is realizing that you are the captain of the ship, and I am actually speaking, when cracking open that microphone, to millions of Southern Californians over my L.A. tenure.
10) Where do you see yourself in five years? 10 years?
Five to 10 years older and doing pretty much the same thing as I was doing for the previous five to 10 years. I will still be playing with the dog, going to the gym, the beach, golfing and partying. Oh, maybe add some children.
Bonus Questions
Care to contribute a low-cost recipe to our "ON THE BEACH" cookbook?
Sure. A Mexican favorite of mine. Try it! It's simple and you at least owe me a phone call thank you. (310) 357-0069.
Joshua Escandon's 4 Ingredient Red Chilaquiles -
Start with Corn Tortillas - Cut a short-stack like a pizza. 8-10 triangles.
Add Olive Oil to a hot fry pan.
Fry your pizza styled cut corn tortillas until brown and lightly burned and crispy.
Sprinkle Parsley handsomely to the fried corn chips.
Add a half or full jar of salsa on top.
Add shredded cheddar and let melt for a minute.Lastly, make two sunny-side up eggs and lay them on top or on the side. Either way is fine, depending whether you like it juicy or not.
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