10 Questions with ... Carlota

NAME:Carlota TITLE:MD/Middays STATION:KOMP 92.3 MARKET:Las Vegas COMPANY:Lotus BORN:2/9/69 RAISED:Southern California

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

KTIP Porterville, CA (1992) -- On-Air

1) What was your first job in radio?

KTIP in Porterville, which was an AC/Jazz station broadcasting out of a house in the "Incest is best" Capital of California. I could dodge the cockroaches in the studio, but there was no insect spray for the Barry Manilow records. Early influences? Dusty Street and Doug the Slug (Sluggo) from KROQ. E Curtis Johnson at KRZR really gave me the freedom for the first time in my career to do my thing and not have to run from the bat-phone every time I opened the mic.

2) How did you get your present job?

I hung out with John Griffin in London back in 1998. He was cool and we got along. A few years later, I became available and he snatched me up 1) because of my name in the market, and 2) he liked me as a person. I made a good impression. Moral of the story: Always be prepared to fake out your next potential PD

3) What led you to a career in radio?

When I was eight, there was a DJ on the radio who came on after an Andy Gibb tune and said, "I just want to be your underwear." I knew right then and there I wanted to be your underwe ... I mean a radio personality

4) What makes your station or market unique?

This is Vegas, baby! The biggest celebrity in the world. This market is incredibly unique. Market size means nothing here. We are the entertainment capital of the world, and I get all of it delivered to me on a platter. It's beautiful!

5) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?

Do everything you can to be yourself and think for yourself. Most importantly, always stand up for yourself. You may get fired, as I have in the past, but in the end you will always come out better off than you were before. LOL ... believe me, I know.

6) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?

I'm not sure that Internet radio is really a factor. Satellite may be, on the other hand, but I still think old school radio (radio that programs to the locals) will always do better than some canned show from 2,000 miles away. Outside of shows like Howard, most voicetracked shows don't do well. I think satellite would be somewhat similar, but hey, I could be wrong. Time will tell.

7) Describe your weekly music meeting: a) What is the process when you listen to new music? b) Approximately how important by percentage is gut, research, sales, video play, and chart position when determining the status of a record?

As I said earlier, we are old school here. We don't pay attention to charts or what KKXX in somewhere, USA's phones are saying about any given record. Does it sound like KOMP? That is the first and foremost question we ask. John is also very old school when it comes to my position. I am not his music secretary. I have a lot of juice and that is not common these days. I really appreciate that fact. We are a team in that office.

8) What is your favorite radio station outside of the market and why?

KRZR is very good. They just know how to appeal to the rock listener.

9) What format does not exist that should? Would it work?

An Alternative station for people in their late 20s to late 30s. A mix of current records like Velvet Revolver, Papa Roach, Foo Fighters, Incubus, Nine Inch Nails. with some killer golds from The Smiths, Jane's Addiction, The Cure (And not "Friday I'm in Love"), Bauhaus. Et. ... It would work for as long as any given JACK or '80s format at least.

10) You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have five CDs with you. What are they?

Deftones -- White Pony

Who would be your dream guest on the show?

Jimi Hendrix

What was the first song or full-length release you purchased?

Eric Clapton "Slowhand"