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10 Questions with ... Steven Seaweed
May 23, 2017
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
My family came west in 1958, and have been in the Bay Area ever since.
1. What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment?
New Years Eve, 1972. Nobody wanted to work except me. I volunteered and got the job at KLRB, Carmel-by-the-Sea-Weed. At midnight, I tracked all six sides of the new George Harrison "A Concert For Bangladesh" record.
2. Can you give us a brief history of your radio career up to now?
After KLRB, I left for the Big City and worked weekends at the Jive 95, KSAN. Knowing I would get fired -- the only time, BTW -- I even did a couple of shifts at KSAN Country. Speaking of which, next was middays at KFAT, Gilroy, aka, "The Wide Spot On The Dial," which played VERY funky Country music. Next it was 14 years at KRQR "The Rocker," then a quickie stint at Alice which led me to my current home, actually KSAN, again.
For three years it was KSAN 107.7 "Rock and Roll Classics," finally morphing into The Bone.
3. You've spent most of your career rocking in the Bay Area. Before we talk about your time on KRQR and KSAN (107.7 The Bone), what makes doing Rock radio in the Bay Area so special to you?
It's always the listeners. Well-informed, friendly, and they appreciate the legacy of the San Francisco music scene.
4. You did middays at the old KRQR for many years. What were some of your best highlights from that time period?
That's where I created the All-Request Hot Lunch, an hour of -- like it says - "all requests," mostly from the telephone, relating to a theme or "keyword." BTW, when recording on tape, "undo" in those days meant fishing that little piece of tape out of the trash can and splicing it back in. I also remember when U2 came to town for the first time on their "The Joshua Tree" tour. When Bono and the boys did a free concert at Justin Herman Plaza here in SF, I was the one that made the announcement on the air.
5. When did you start rocking middays on KSAN (107.7 The Bone), and similar to my last question, what are some of the best moments from your time on The Bone?
Started at The Bone 17 years ago, and definitely one of the highlights was my "Free Food Friday Hot Lunch" with a live studio audience, an hour of requests, and I fed my guests! Other features I created: "Two Truth and a Lie," "Hot Lunch Timeline Game," "Bone Up On The Beatles," "Live From The Bone Concert Vault" and "I Phone You."
6. Do you do any special features or benchmark music programming for the work force checking out The Bone during the day?
Nowadays, just Classic Vinyl, where I spin an actual vinyl record once a day, always with an intriguing backstory.
7. How do you keep yourself and the radio station sounding fresh playing 30 and 40-year-old music?
Besides reminding my listeners why the music was important back in the day, I talk a lot about what those classic bands are doing nowadays, along with current lifestyle stuff ... Warriors, Giants, 49ers.
8. Being in Rock radio for as long as you have, I would imagine you're talked with quite a few major Rock stars. What are some of the most memorable interviews you've done?
Peter Frampton was the first, David Lee Roth (after he left VH) was excellent. Also enjoyed conversations with Robert Plant, Sammy Hagar (always a great interview, as is his Chickenfoot bandmate Joe Satriani), Steve Miller was good, as was Bowie, Thorogood and a gazillion others.
9. Is there someone you never had a chance to interview, but wish you did?
Paul McCartney.
10. Finally, after 44 years in radio, you're doing your final radio show on June 30th. Why are you stepping away now, and do you have any final words of wisdom you can pass along before you hang up the headphones?
I've been lucky to have had great ratings all of my career, and my dear old dad once told me to "go out on top, young man" so now is the perfect time for me, although I'm not using the word, "retirement." My advice if you want to succeed in Radio is to embrace change, don't be afraid to reinvent yourself, and find a way to connect with your listeners.
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