10 Questions with ... Shawn Rock

1) What was your first job in radio and early influences?

My first job in radio was here at KILO. I started out doing whatever needed to be done as an intern. Went to broadcasting school at Pikes Peak Community College (just so I could work at KILO!) and Ross Ford gave me an on-air weekend shift. As far as influences, I've had a few, mainly co-workers who I learned from and that gave me a chance in this industry. Mark Randall, Ross Ford, Wendy Campbell, Fitz Madrid, Corey Dean, Andrew Sample, to name a few. Also Martha Quinn from the old MTV days! I don't know her but I wanted to be her!

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

Everything starting "clicking" after I started at KILO. When I knew it would definitely be a lifetime career for me was when I started working at KUPD. I knew then that I could do this and do it well if I just put my heart into it.

3) Before you joined KILO, you did mornings and were the PD for KMKF (K-Rock) in Manhattan, KS. What were the highlights of that gig for you?

Working at Manhattan Broadcasting with 101.5 K-Rock helped me develop, learn and grow so many of my radio skills. When you are PD for a station like K-Rock you wear many hats. You're responsible for the imaging, the music scheduling, training and managing your staff, promotions, social networking, production, digital promotion, working with sales, and working with the community. So, once you get all that figured out, you can take on just about anything in this industry. I have Rich Wartell and Corey Reeves to thank for giving me the opportunity to work at 1015 K-Rock. At MBC you work as a team when you have a four-station cluster. I learned how News/Sports, Country and Top 40 stations function. They really have a great team at MBC.

Shawn Rock with Five Finger Death Punch's Ivan Moody and KILO's Sid Black

4) I know you started out at KILO years ago and returned to the station a few years back. Give us your history with the station and what makes KILO so unique.

I started at KILO as an intern, went part-time on weekends, and now am back as MD. I kept in touch and worked with Ross Ford over the years I was away from KILO. What makes KILO unique and such a strong force is that has stuck to a formula that works for its listeners and the community. That formula is "play kick ass rock." So many stations flip formats and try to go with the "new flavor of the month" formula. Those stations suck.

5) Before we jump into the music on KILO, you do middays on the station. Do you do any special midday/lunch time benchmarks?

I always have killer giveaways thanks to our top-notch promo department. I have a "secret word" of the day that's become pretty popular. Who would have that ripping off Pee Wee Herman would work for a midday radio DJ We also have the "KILO Rock Lunch Double Shot" on Fridays. Listeners get to pick two songs they want to hear back to back. If they win me over I reward them with a tattoo giveaway and an extras we have that week. They love that as well.

6) Describe your weekly music meeting with PD Ross Ford. Approximately how important by percentage is gut, research, sales, video play, and chart position when determining the status of a record?

Ross Ford still takes into consideration first and foremost what the KILO listener will want and expect from KILO. Of course, research and chart position will always play a part, but I've never known Ross to just add a song if it doesn't have some kind of "KILO Worthiness" and I'm on board with that philosophy. Core artists are really important and our music scene plays a role as well. We love having artists we support play live here in Colorado Springs. Our conversations about music are always entertaining and for the most part we agree on what to play and not play.

Winston McCall of Parkway Drive with Shawn Rock

7) What's your take on current Active Rock music and the Rock format overall?

I truly hate it when I hear that an artist or band is "saving rock n roll." You can't kill rock & roll but you can certainly water it down and mainstream it. I go to shows/concerts, record stores, and watch online sales. "Active Rock" is alive and well. Especially in our city. It's here to stay.

8) KILO has long had a reputation as a "tastemaker" station ... especially when it comes to metal ... how do you balance that so it doesn't adversely affect the station's cume ... especially during the day?

KILO has been consistent when it comes to its daily delivery of the rock. It refuses to change and that's a good thing because rock fans are loyal and hate change. Besides, what was metal 20 or 30 years ago is now classic metal/rock. I believe you can condition your listeners if a single is strong and good enough to appreciate it in the morning/day just as they would at night. Bands like Slipknot, In This Moment, Metallica, and Ghost all have singles that fit just fine in the day as they do at night. It's all in the mix really.

9) What are your three favorite artists or songs of this past year and why?

I will go with naming my top artists from this year. Fever 333 -- These guys not only rip but they have a message. It's about time we have a band that's not afraid to stand up. Parkway Drive -- Heavy, strong, and amazing musicians/songwriters. Bad Wolves - All-around fantastic band.

Bad Wolves' Tommy Vext, Diamante, Shawn Rock and Bad Wolves' Doc Coyle

10) Finally, I know you have New Mexico roots and are a big fan of the iconic "Breaking Bad" TV show, which is Albuquerque-based. I've heard there might be a "Breaking Bad" movie in the works. What have you heard?

I've heard that the movie is going to be Jesse Pinkman's story after he has escaped. I've also heard that they need someone to play his new partner in crime. The description is: A short Hispanic woman in her 40s, preferably from New Mexico, with experience in the radio industry. Weird.