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10 Questions with ... Beth Simmons
September 5, 2017
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1) What was your first job in radio and early influences?
My first job in radio was interning for Sarah and No Name's Morning Show on Alice 97.3 in San Francisco. Matty Staudt was the producer and Hooman Khalili was the third mic/phone screener. At that time, I was also hosting my own radio show on KSF,S the San Francisco State University radio station under the direction of student PD, Garreth Szakall. All of these individuals helped influence the beginning stages of my career in radio. They made me understand that I had to leave San Francisco if I wanted to get on-air experience in commercial radio.
That's where Justin Chase came into play. He took a chance on a newbie and gave me a part time on-air job for Mix 94.1 in Las Vegas. It was there that I learned that my co-workers were also my family. This was the first time I moved away from everything I knew to pursue my dream and they made that transition easier.
2) Was there a defining moment that led you to a career in radio and made you realize "this is what I want to do for a living?"
When I first started out, I had planned to do the radio internship and SFSU radio show as a means to get a few credits out of the way for graduation. Little did I know that these two experiences would take me away from my aspirations to become a TV journalist and refocus my efforts on a career in radio. Watching Sarah and No Name create great radio made me realize I, too, wanted to enjoy going to work everyday with a team that delivered top-notch content. Those few radio street bits they sent me out on with Hooman made it clear that this is where I wanted to spend my time.
3) When did you start working at KLPX and how did this gig come about for you?
I started working at KLPX in April of 2012. A few months prior, I had been applying for jobs from Vicenza, Italy. I was overseas working for AFN doing radio and TV for the military abroad. It was tough getting a call back to an Italian phone number. So, I ended up creating a Skype number with a California area code to make myself more accessible. Larry Mac gave me a call in the middle of the night and I sprung out of bed for the first phone interview. He said he wanted to set up another and possibly an in-person interview. It was at that point that I knew I had to pack up my stuff and head to California. I don't think Larry realized I was in Italy at the time; otherwise he may have not called me. Thanks to Skype I was able to get that initial call that led me back to the U.S.
4) In your opinion, what makes KLPX unique and special in the Tucson market?
We're one of the few stations to be truly live and local. Most of our on-air personalities are in the studio during their show. However, our rock star DJs -- Alice Cooper, Dee Snider and Sammy Hagar -- record their shows remotely because it's hard to pull those guys off the road.
That's not the only thing that draws our audience to the station. We treat our listeners like family. When they're in need, we'll help them out and get the community involved. If they need a night out, we'll tell them about a show or event. We'll even hang out for a bit, if we see them around town.
5) Do you do any special music features during your afternoon show on KLPX?
It's funny you ask that question; I just started a new feature thanks to the brilliant minds of Larry Mac and Jeff Murphy. It's a High Octane 6 Pack at 5 with 6 hard rocking high-energy tunes to make your drive home go a little bit faster. It's unlike any other normal 6 Pack that we play throughout the day. I usually pull out a few songs that are not part of regular programming.
6) I've noticed you're very active on social media. How important is this in marketing your show and KLPX?
It's extremely important to be active on social media, especially Facebook. I'm sure we can all agree that we access Facebook quite a few times throughout our day. When people are away from their radio, I make sure to post eye-grabbing articles that remind them to tune into KLPX and get in on the conversation.
Kiss With Beth The Real KISS in Background, Left to Right in Front: Former Frank Show (KLPX Morning Show) producer Sherm (Rick Berg), KLPX PD Larry Mac and Beth Simmons7) Now let's talk about the music on KLPX. Who are some of your favorite classic rock artists and why?
I'll admit I enjoy the fact that we are beginning to integrate the grunge music scene into the Classic Rock format. That's what I grew up listening to in the Bay Area. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains were all the bands played at school dances. But I also still enjoy the classics, which inspired these bands like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, The Beatles, Van Halen and my list could go on forever. I love every band that we play on KLPX with the exception of the Charlie Daniels Band "Devil Went Down to Georgia" because it feels like it belongs on a Country station.
8) One of the programming challenges of the Classic Rock format has always been how to keep the station sounding fresh and relevant while it's playing Rock music that's sometimes 30 or 40 years old. What do you and KLPX do to keep the station sounding relevant in 2017?
Believe it or not, the bands we play are very relevant in 2017. Most of them are still touring and working on projects that fans are interested in buying. A great example of that would be Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. These two musicians are not keeping Zeppelin touring, but that's not stopping them from getting music out to their fan base. Robert Plant has his new album, Carry Fire, out in October. Jimmy Page is compiling a new album, Yardbirds68, with unreleased material in November. Many of our musicians "retire" and say farewell several times over with massive tours, but they never truly say goodbye because their music is their passion. A perfect quote comes to mind, when Ozzy was asked if rock is dead he said, "It's not, because I'm still alive."
9) I know that you're originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and list the San Francisco 49ers as one of your favorite football teams. How does that go over in Arizona Cardinals country?
I know this sounds odd, but I root for both the Niners and the Raiders. If they play each other, I'm a Raiders fan all the way. I love rooting for the underdog.
The great thing about Tucson: Most people here are not loyal to the Arizona Cardinals. They are transplants, snowbirds or grew up in Arizona at a time when we didn't have a football team. You have to remember the Cardinals did not move to Phoenix until 1987, so most of my listeners became fans of teams elsewhere.
10) Finally, what do you like to do for fun and relaxation when you're not in radio "work" mode?
In my time off, I love hiking, hot tubing, walking my mini Aussie, brunching, going to festivals and enjoying the diverse music scene in town.
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