10 Questions with ... Chris Crowley

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

Pure, unadulterated accidental luck. I was looking for a part-time job between my junior and senior years in high school and I applied for a Traffic Director position at KKLV (it was kind of a free-form AC at the time - changed to Country KBRJ in '92). I walked in and asked the receptionist for an application and then asked where the restroom was. While I was gone, apparently the owner/GM was in her office and overheard me talking with the receptionist. When I excused myself to the restroom, she came out and told the receptionist to bring me into her office when I returned. I thought I had done something wrong! As it turned out, she liked the way I sounded and asked if I ever thought about being a DJ. I told her no, I didn't even know that was a real job (I'd honestly never thought about people doing that as a career; it never crossed my mind.) and that I couldn't outgoing enough to be able to do that kind of thing. She asked me to just try it and if I didn't like it after two weeks, she'd find me something else to do.

The first time I turned on the mic ... it was over. That was all I wanted to do.

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

Absolutely! There are ups and downs in any industry, but along the way (at least for me) there have been far more ups than there have downs. And really, I think it comes down to attitude; you only get out of it what you put in.

And who knows ... if I knew then some of the things I know now, I might not have made some of the mistakes I made along the way. I would've known to keep my mouth shut in certain situations or to ask a few more questions before taking that job that didn't turn out to be what I thought it was.

Then again, I am a slow learner...

3) Can you give us a brief history of your radio career including stations, the years you worked there and the positions you held?

Started out part time at KKLV in 1990 - went to KGON (Top 40) in '91 to do overnights. 1994, I started 7p-12a at KASH (Country). In 1998, I finally left Alaska and went to KKTT (Country) in Eugene, OR to be MD/middays. In '99, I was named the PD of KKTT and took over afternoons. In late 2001, KKTT was shut down as a Country station and the signal was handed over to Alternative KNRQ and I was given the PD/afternoon gig and eventually ended up in mornings. KNRQ's signal was turned into a Smooth Jazz station KUJZ of which I was also named PD. In 2004, I took a job with Jacobs Media Consulting. In 2007, I was hired for the PD/afternoon job in Ft. Myers, FL at WARO (Classic Rock). In 2010, I took the same job at WCMF/Rochester, NY where I spent almost exactly seven years. Hired on April 12th, 2010 and I left April 6th, 2017 to take the PD position here at KGON in Portland, OR.

4) Before we talk about KGON, you had a nice run at the legendary WCMF/Rochester. What were some of the highlights of that experience for you?

There have been so many, really. Getting to work at WCMF with the people I got to work with had to be the highlight. From working with Dave Kane, who's an institution in Rochester radio (and has been at 'CMF for 37 years!), to getting to work with a morning show in The Break Room (Tommy, Duffy & Kimmy) who are super-talented and genuinely like each other and hang out together. And I had two of the best bosses you could ever ask for in my GM, Sue Munn and OM, Bob Barnett. That entire building has some of the best and brightest radio minds (on and off-air) around, bar none.

And, getting to help reshape, renew and rebuild a set of legendary call letters like WCMF is a highlight in and of itself.

5) I know you've been the PD of KGON for only a short time, but what would you say makes this station unique?

That it's still such a part of the fabric of Portland. This radio station (and its talent over the years) has meant so much to people here and they all feel that this is *their* radio station -- that they have an ownership stake in it. And they're right.

6) Your morning personality Iris Harrison has worked at KGON for 40 years. What can you tell us about this legendary Portland Rock jock?

Iris is all passion when it comes to the music and this radio station. She is literally KGON's heart and soul. She's been here through everything, from before Mark and Brian signed on in '93, to their show coming to an end and all the changes up 'til now. She's been here through it all and she still loves the music and this radio station as much as ever. She's not just the brand ambassador, but the voice of the listeners, and the listeners love her.

7) Let's talk about the music on KGON. There are many ways to do Classic Rock in 2017. How would you describe the music position of KGON?

The only true Classic Rock in Portland. There are a lot of other radio stations that are dabbling in the rock arena at the moment (I guess they've all figured out this music is timeless and everyone loves it) - some of them harder - some of them softer - but none of them are committed to Classic Rock. KGON is Classic Rock in Portland.

8) In many markets, the Classic Rock station is no longer just your father's favorite Rock station. With the advent of lots of '90s rock entering the format, what's your take on the Classic Rock format as a whole today?

It's not the same as it was, even 10 years ago. That's for sure. It's ever-evolving, ever-changing. What's considered Classic Rock and what's not? A lot of people think it's an era-based decision, a lot of other people think it's about the "sound" - do these sounds fit with these other sounds? Can you have Tool and Fleetwood Mac on the same radio station ... next to each other? The format is definitely going to face some challenges in the not too distant future - I don't think there's much doubt about that. But the Classic Rock format is strong and always will be when done right. There will never be music like this ... ever again. These songs are timeless and younger people are "discovering" it all the time and loving it! The format will evolve - look at what Curtiss Johnson is doing in Sacramento with The River ... "Classic Rock Evolved." Curtiss is a smart programmer and one I've always looked up to, so I'm interested to see how that works because that's the direction I see things headed. Maybe not today ... but not that far down the road either.

9) How does your station utilize the KGON web site and other social media (Facebook, Twitter) as an interactive marketing tool with your listeners?

As much as possible, we try to give them more information about what's going on with the station, the artists and what's happening here in Portland. The social footprint hasn't been the greatest here - though they've done what they can. We'll be increasing that footprint more and more as time goes on. Social media is a great way to connect with your audience and give them access to some really cool content.

10) Finally, what do you like to do to relax when you're not fully in radio mode?

Ha! If my girlfriend knew you asked this question, she'd just shake her head and roll her eyes. I'm not ever out of "radio mode." And I'm not sure what "relax" really means (if you ask her). I'm constantly keeping myself busy - mostly with work - but when I get a chance to get away it's to the golf course. That's how I relax ... but if you saw my game, you'd know it's probably more stressful than the job!