10 Questions with ... Chris Emry

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

KUTY/Palmdale (Fred Imus did weekends; Don would call from WNBC and have me set the phone next to a radio so that he could listen. WESP/U.S.V.I., WAYE/Baltimore, DC/101, 98 ROCK, B104, WQSR, WPOC, WOCT, WZBA, WTGB.

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

I think of Lloyd Bridges quote from the movie Airplane: "I guess that I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue."

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

I'm the smoker king -- barbecue, not bong.

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.

I'm still surprised when I go into a store, say two words and the person says, "You sound familiar." I respond with my name, and they ALWAYS say: "I remember when you did... It's truly a one-to-one medium.

4) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?

Yes. Since my other skills include: Riding on a trash truck, working in a junkyard and selling women's shoes (worse than the first two). I also have a real estate license. Great timing, huh?

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

One with a salary and health insurance.

6) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?

How do you spell AFTRA minimum ?

7) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?

Just as much as ever. If I need a boost, I slap in live AC/DC "Whole Lotta Rosie" (Bon, not Brian).

8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Being a TV child, of all of the bands that I've seen, met and introduced on stage, meeting Steve Allen (twice), a true renaissance man, and having him write a song about me on the spot, can't be beat.

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

The most: '70s/'80s tix to everything. The least: Now I have to rely on my wife to tell me that "I suck" instead of the listeners.

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

Break into a bank instead. Don't forget your ski mask!

Any books you can recommend to people who need something inspirational to read?

Alex & Me. It involves a bird that's probably smarter than anyone in your family. No wait, you're in radio ... it is smarter.