10 Questions with ... Mindy Novotny

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

My first radio gig was in 1997 doing reel-to-reel production and nights at KGFX in Pierre, South Dakota. Growing up, I listened to Minneapolis radio – recording songs onto cassette from KDWB, WLOL. I remember when 93x did the wknd stunting with a loop of “It’s the End of the World as We Know it”, changing to The Edge.

2) Was there a defining moment that led you to radio and made you realize this is what I want to do for a living?

I can't remember a moment of my youth without music playing in my home. My Mom was a rock n’ roller and my Dad was country western. Music was always playing. Throughout high school, I was quite the thespian in musical theater and otherwise, but I had no consideration of what that could translate to. However, my cousin was a news anchor on WCCO in Minneapolis. I remember thinking, I can sit there and read the teleprompt. With that and being raised with a passion for music, I decided to go to Brown in Minneapolis for Radio and Television Broadcasting.

3) How long have you been working WHQG (102.9 The Hog) and what makes this station so unique and special?

15 years! The team is incredible from the top office to reception. My co-workers amaze me every day with their work ethic and creativity and it absolutely pushes me to be better.

4) How long have you been doing middays on the station and do you do any special music features during your shift?

15 years. I do the All Request Liquid Lunch and it is a themed based request hour. For example, this week we’re spelling POLAR...because it’s a Polar Vortex in Wisconsin. We’ll do themes from “Songs I Hate”, to “Things I’d Like to Say to My Ex”, to covers and so on. The biggest feat is coming up with a theme that hasn’t been done. I also do a trivia contest called Kill A Half Hour. Another big draw is being commercial free from whenever the morning show shuts up until Noon.

5) Congrats on your new duties as MD. How is everything going so far with your new position at the station?

I need a couple extra hours added to my day, but I love it! It’s a more in-depth peek behind the curtain of the method of the madness.

6) Now that you’re in the MD chair, what are three new Rock songs or Artists that you are currently digging?

You’re limiting me to three?! I’ve never been good at answering “What five albums would you want on a desert Island?” My music taste runs the gamut. I will say Chevelle’s “Self Destructor,” Royal Blood’s “Trouble’s Coming” and Corey Taylor’s “Samantha’s Gone.” I’m also excited to hear more from Mammoth WVH.

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

Well, contrary to what Gene Simmons thinks, it’s NOT dead. I think there is quite a bit of diversity in rock music right now. The three songs I mentioned are a great example of that. There’s a sound for everyone and that’s an exciting range of rock for an audience.

8) How much does the Midwest Rock vibe of a city like Milwaukee influence the type of Rock you play on The Hog?

Milwaukee is a unique market. Based on the requests that I receive, I believe we are serving our listeners well. Not only are we already playing what they’re requesting, we’re also introducing them to new music and surprising them with nostalgia.

9) Are there any other duties you do for the radio station that we haven’t covered?

I wear multiple hats, as we all do. I’ll still lend my hand to marketing and production.

10) Finally, when you're not in "radio mode," what do you like to do to get away from the biz and relax?

Do we ever really get away from it? I suppose I enjoy bar olympics if it’s in a friend’s basement. Pool, darts...just chillin’ with like-minded people.