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10 Questions with ... Chasta Michaelis
September 21, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I am a HUGE believer in the power of social media to connect with our Bonehead family. It's a way we can hear how they're feeling, what's on their minds, what do they like/dislike and have direct contact with them in real time. I spend a lot of time interacting with our Boneheads online and I think it's time well spent. I'm also a podcast lover and I'm thrilled Cumulus is really focusing on the importance and power of podcasting.
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1. What was your first job in radio and early influences?
My first job in radio fell in my lap by an unexpected stroke of luck. While in college, I called up 100.5 The KATT in Oklahoma City to ask where and when to get Aerosmith tickets. I spoke with the Mid-day jock Greg Zoobeck (who is still there) and we hit it off immediately. I made him laugh a few times and he offered me an internship over the phone. Nine months later, I was sitting at my little intern desk when my PD came to me and said one of the jocks didn’t show up for work. He said, “Let’s go!” He took me in the studio, showed me the basics of running the board and then he walked out. I promptly puked in the trash can and cracked the mic. After that he gave me a Sunday morning weekend shift and the rest is history.
2. Was there a defining moment that led you to radio?
Once I went on the air for that first shift, I was absolutely hooked! I had been a music nut my whole life and now realizing there was a possibility that I could talk about music as a career?!?!?!?! And maybe even interview Rockstars??!?! That was it for me! I was hell bent that I was never going to do anything else.
3. How long have you been rocking on 107.7 The Bone and what makes this station so special?
I have been on the Bone since July 2012. The call letters KSAN are legendary, and I have always studied music history and knew what those call letters and the Bay Area radio scene stood for. When the station turned to the Bone and they gained Lamont and Tonelli (living radio legends) I knew I had to work there. When I moved to The Bay from LA in 2008 I made it my goal to work on The Bone and was relentless in sending in air checks. Finally, their traffic reporter left and that was my way in.
4. You start your day as part of the very popular Lamont & Tonelli morning show on The Bone. What are your duties on the show and what do you do to “hold your own” with L&T?
I started out on the show in 2008 as their traffic reporter. Over time, I became a much larger part of the show and now I am a co-host for the boys. It developed over the first few years slowly as I knew I didn’t want to overstep boundaries and I wanted us to organically find our flow. L&T had a locked in legendary show…to add another person in more of a full-time role had to be a delicate move. Now, I am the female perspective on the show. I help the guys get their prep together in the morning and help with features on the show. I also run the Bone text lines and keep the guys briefed on what’s being said on social and on the texts.
5. You’ve also been doing the midday show since Steven Seaweed retired in 2017. How does it feel to carry on the tradition of the “Weedman”?
It’s totally unreal. “The Weedman” is an absolute legend…a beloved Bay Area radio personality. Stepping into his shoes was intimidating to say the least. However, Steven is a friend and mentor of mine and he was confident in my skills…he really recommended me for the job. I figured if Steven believed in me and handed me over to the Bone audience then I would be fine. Steven is a master of the craft and I wanted to make sure everyone knew I was never going to try and be another “Weedman.” All I could be was myself and I’m so grateful the Bonehead family has accepted me in that role.
6. As if Morning co-host and midday duties weren’t keeping you busy enough, you were also recently promoted to PD of KSAN. Congrats on your new position. How are things going at this point with your new role?
Things are going great! Honestly, it’s been a bit of a learning curve in some ways but the support I’ve had from my staff and management at Cumulus has been absolutely incredible. Our efforts at The Bone feel VERY collaborative among the staff and I love the family feeling we’ve got going on. It has really intensified the energy and passion at the station.
7. How do you find the time to handle all these duties effectively? Care to share with us a typical working day for you?
I have always been the queen of micro-managing time. I am a geek for productivity and time management so if I can find a better or more useful way to spend 10 minutes, I’ll do it. That has been my secret sauce in making this transition. I have my studio set up into three parts, my PD desk, my morning show desk and my mid-day desk. I switch back and forth through the roles with the twist of a chair. I just have to remember to stand up and get some fresh air every once in a while.
8. As the new PD, it looks like The Bone’s Social Media with podcasts and posts on the station’s web site and Facebook page have really picked up. How important is this aspect of Social Media and podcasts to you and Cumulus?
I am a HUGE believer in the power of social media to connect with our Bonehead family. It's a way we can hear how they're feeling, what's on their minds, what do they like/dislike and have direct contact with them in real time. I spend a lot of time interacting with our Boneheads online and I think it's time well spent. I'm also a podcast lover and I'm thrilled Cumulus is really focusing on the importance and power of podcasting. Podcasts are another major way we can connect with our Boneheads...and on a deeper level. I'm excited to dive deeper with our staff on social and podcasting and I'm planning/brainstorming for some fun things in the future. Stay tuned!
9. Besides your duties on The Bone, you are also the host of the local Soundwaves TV show Tell us about that venture?
Supporting local musicians has been a passion of mine since I was 19 and worked on my first “Local Licks” show. I have always had a love for musicians and the blood, sweat and tears they put into their music. I have always done everything I can to support and promote musicians. Soundwaves TV is a brand that has existed in the Bay for decades. It had been on hiatus for some years but the Producer, Dennis Willis, came to me about hosting a revamp of the show and I was thrilled. I knew it could be an extension of what I do on The Bone airwaves in supporting the local music scene. It’s a throwback to the great MTV days where actual music videos from Bay Area bands are played, and we do interviews with artists and promote local music, shows and events. It’s a true passion project and we’re thrilled with its success so far. We truly believe it’s helping to bring the Bay Area music scene so much closer and breathe more life into it.
10. Finally, with all of this on your plate, I know you have a family. What do you do for fun and relaxation when you are not in radio/media mode?
Relaxation??? What is this word you speak of? Once I had my son Cody I knew I had to work hard to find the elusive “work/life balance.” When I’m at home with my son I try my hardest to simply be present with him. He is also my “workout buddy” so we do our daily workouts together. And most importantly, my husband and I have a rule in our house…no one works on Sunday. That is family day and we treasure it with family yoga, hikes or taking our son on “adventures.”
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