10 Questions with ... Bo Woods

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I was born in Dallas, Texas. My father was working at KLIF-A for Gordon McLendon as the "Charlie" half of the legendary morning team "Charlie and Harrigan" show (Texas Radio Hall of Fame Members). Long story short, I followed in my Father's footsteps. It was great having such a valuable resource to learn from. In 1983, I attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. That's when I discovered, for the first time, K-Earth 101. I remember contacting the then-morning host, Dean Goss, and asking if I could intern. I would get there as early as he did, then sleep the rest of the day, skipping classes. I started my career in Albuquerque, moved to San Diego (my home town). I worked at Z90 (one of three Mexican radio stations). In those days I actually had to commute to the transmitter site in Tijuana. I also worked at KCBQ, doing nights. At the time, Charlie & Harrigan were doing mornings. The GM, Dave Siebert, liked me enough to bring me with him to Dallas (KLUV). I moved from there to mornings at WLTY/Norfolk (Worked for a great guy, Randall C. Bliss). From there, I moved home to Southern California and worked at Shadow Broadcasting before it merged with Metro. In January of 2002, I received a call at home from K-Earth 101 PD Jay Coffey (I thought for sure it was a prank). He hired me and I worked for four-and-a-half years before moving to Prescott, AZ to raise my two babies (Chesapeake, named after the Bay in the tidewater area ... and Cash, named after Johnny Cash).

I am rested and ready to get back in it!

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

I have had a really thrilling 20 years with a few "downs" and a tremendous amount of "ups." I truly understand it's a marathon and not a sprint. Enough with the metaphors ...

I have a great network of radio colleagues who inspire and communicate in ways that keep my thinking in perspective. Rick Shockley of WEAT has been so valuable. I don't think he even realizes how important he is to me. KABC-TV helicopter reporter Bill Thomas is a great confidant and strength to me as well.

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

I am currently a stay-at-home dad to my two-and-a-half year-old daughter and two-and-a-half year-old son. I am also working on remodeling and renting a distressed property I picked up at a home foreclosure auction.

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 relate being on the beach to sports. No one playing a sport wants to be taken out of the game and rested. However if you're honest with yourself, in radio and sports one can actually come back in the game stronger and with a healthier perspective. And that feels good!

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

Muddy Waters said it best, "I love the life I live, I live the life I love."

5) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?

After college, I put together my package, I mailed out nearly one hundred of them from Flagstaff to Ft. Meyers and followed up by driving across country to meet with anyone who would meet me. I landed my first radio job in Albuquerque (overnights on KZSS-A, KZRR's sister station). Now that's a long way from mp3'ing!

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

Afternoon drive in a top-50 market on a Country, Hot AC or Classic Hits format.

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

For the first time ever, a few months ago, a prospective employer noted that although I had been at K-Earth 101 for four solid years as a part-timer, he asked why I hadn't been working in a full-time roll for "quite some time." At first I didn't understand how that question could be posed. I was doing all I could do to work. Then I realized it was a question about my desire, not of my circumstance.

8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Not working in Los Angeles, working on K-EARTH 101 in Los Angeles! I discovered it while in college, in 1983, and told myself, "One day I will work there." I started in January of 2002 and ended in April 2006.

9) Is there anything specific that you regret doing while you were still working?

I rarely regret. I do enjoy occasionally think about what it would be like if I took a different step in the process, but then it always comes back ... If I hadn't taken that job or lost that job etc., then I would have never been in a market where I met my wife and we wouldn't have our two wonderful children, so try not to look back or regret too much!

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

You never know ... just ask my radio and personal hero, "Shotgun Tom" Kelly. One day he's in San Diego, the next day he's the permanent replacement for the Real Don Steele. Tom's now going on 12 or 13 years doing afternoon drive in Los Angeles.

Care to contribute a low-cost recipe to our "ON THE BEACH" cookbook?

Absolutely! I started the New Year on a nonfat diet. Bo's Non-Fat Taco Salad:

1 package of Lightlife Smart Ground Mexican Style (Seasoned veggie protein crumbles) (Find in the Vegetarian section of your market)

1 can of Rosarita non-fat green chile & lime refried beans

1 7oz. can of salsa verde or sliced jalapenos

Heat together in large pan

In a large bowl prepare ½ head of chopped lettuce, bell peppers, red onion, tomatoes, black olives and any other fresh vegetable.

Scoop the contents of your frying pan on top of salad. Apply non-fat blue cheese dressing to side of salad. Add a dollop of non-fat sour crème and salsa (guacamole optional)

Results: Non-fat, no-cholesterol protein-filled meal!