10 Questions with ... John Garabo

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I was born and raised in New York City. A high school internship at NBC in Manhattan lead to the beginning of a fantastic career in broadcasting. For the last 25 years, I have been a morning personality. Although I have done AC, Talk and Top 40, the last two decades I've been in Country radio. The industry has taken me to morning show opportunities at KZLA/Los Angeles, WDSY/Pittsburgh, WWYZ/Hartford, KFRG/Riverside-San Bernardino and for the last nine years, KSKS/Fresno. I'm a single father raising my 10-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter in Clovis, CA. I have a full studio with ISDN in my home.

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

I've become even more involved in my community by volunteering everywhere help is needed. I'm also enjoying the extra time I have with my children and pets.

2) Do you plan on sticking with the radio industry?

Absolutely. It's the greatest feeling in the world when you love what you do for a living. Radio is all I've ever wanted to do and after 25 years of doing mornings, I'm good at it! It's forever in my blood. Show me a tower and a microphone and I'm there. Have headphones, will travel.

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

This is it. Right now ... nine months. I've had enough time to make a baby (but I haven't).

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

My greatest strength is on-air. I would love to find a great morning show opportunity and dedicate myself to the community.

5) What is the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?

A female general manager asked me if I would go to China with her if I was hired. I was 23 and although I found her attractive (she was in her early 40s) I had to say no and withdraw my application.

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

Honestly, I'm listening to the radio more often. I completely scan the AM and FM dial to listen to see what personalities are choosing to talk about and how they handle the big stories.

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

I definitely miss the interaction with the audience the most. Fortunately I have kept in touch with hundreds of my listeners via e-mail, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. The least thing I miss is the usual B.S. like micromanagers and cookie-cutter formatics.

8) If you were offered a similar position to what you were doing for considerably less money, would you seriously consider taking the job just to stay in the biz?

Yes. You have to love what you do, and for me it always has and always will be radio. If one morning at 2:30 I don't jump out of bed because I'm excited to go to the radio station, then it's time to find a new career. That hasn't happened yet.

9) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?

It's definitely made me more thankful for everything I have. Not being on the air, I've had more time to live life. I've watched several events take place and thought how I might handle them on-air. As the industry has changed, personalities must evolve as well. This "down time" has given me the opportunity to listen more and grow a little wiser.

10) Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

I had a nine year run at my last station and I wasn't ready to leave. My hope is that my next opportunity will take me to a market where I will stay for at least 10 years.

Great movies I've recently seen...

I enjoyed 17 Again, Transformers 2 and Vicky Christina Barcelona.