10 Questions with ... Martina Davis

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I began on KOZZ/Reno's Classic Rock ... here at Lotus, where I still am today, 17 years later as an intern, where I learned the "art of cart flying". Within three or four years we flipped our Country station to Active, which is when Rock 104.5 was born, 15 years ago. I was brought over from the Classic Rock because they found me slipping into a coma on the board listening to the 20-minute version of "Heard it Thru the Grapevine."

I have held many positions from Public Affairs Director to MD and just plain "DIVA;" today however they are calling me "Promotions Director," a.k.a. "Slave to the Man".

1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?

My early influence was, of course, KOZZ, I grew up listening it. Also, most radio folk remember the monster station that was Z-ROCK. I absolutely loved that station -- the syndicated personalities, as well as the local talent, my current comrades Max Volume, Chris Payne and, of course, Steve Funk. NO other station has before or since had the intensity to just do what the hell they wanted to.

2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?

I had done many meaningless jobs, and I had always heard the lady on the radio and thought; "she has MY job." So one day I decided to just walk into the station and claim it.

3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?

Absolutely.

4) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?

Housemother at the local strip club!

5) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?

I have always worked here, and working in the market you grew up in is awesome. I help out with promotions on KOZZ, the station I grew up listening to. I have a lot of pride in that.

6) How have the recent FCC regulations impacted the way you program your music and the station's dialogue on the air? What are your feelings about these recent changes?

I keep a pretty tight show anyway on middays. I do get kinda paranoid about the lyrical content of the rock songs we play sometimes ... even though we have been playing the same damn songs for 15 years.

7) How have music file-sharing services, affected the way you program to your audience?

Somewhat. There is now sound quality like a plain old-fashioned CD.

8) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?

There will never be anything that is the same as a local radio show ... ever. That's why I am still employed.

9) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?

Not far from where we are now, product-wise. So, I guess when I say, "we," I mean me and Rock 104.5 ... so I see myself here at the DOT till death do us part!

10) What can we be doing with our station websites to better our stations as a whole?

Cross-promote as much as possible. Also we have "Jelli" listener-controlled radio from 7-10 p Tuesday through Saturday nights. Our PD, Jave Patterson, has done a great job on keeping his hand "on the pulse" of current technology and what our listeners are interested in online.

Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?

Chris Payne (shhhh... )

If you could add any one full-time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?

Full-time assistant to myself!

Tell us what music we would find on your car or home CD player (or turntable) right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?

Blue October "An Acoustic Evening with..."

What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air?

Fought with spouse with mic on!

What are your three favorite artists or songs of this year?

The Foo Fighters, The Foo Fighters, The Foo Fighters.

How do you keep tabs on the competition? When your competition attacks you on the air, how do you react?

What competition?