10 Questions with ... Greg Kihn

NAME:Greg Kihn TITLE:Host 'The Greg Kihn Show' STATIONS:KFOX MARKET:San Jose and National Syndication COMPANY:Jones Radio Network BORN:Baltimore RAISED:Baltimore

1) When and why did you get into radio?

I got into radio in 1996. I had been filling in for the 7-midnight guy at KFOX in San Jose and the PD offered me a job. I did a charity event that following weekend and happened to sit next to John Madden. I told him about the radio offer and he said, "Take it! Someday all disk jockeys will be musicians, just like the NFL." I accepted the gig because I needed to get off the road. The handwriting was on the wall. It was time to move on and radio was an easy transition. I'd done thousands of interviews back in the '80s when I was having hit records. I never had a problem being glib. So Larry Sharp hired me to do 7-midnight, which I did for a year. The station had been sold several times, and eventually Clear Channel bought it. I was offered the morning job when they dropped Imus. At first it was temporary, until they could find another morning show. That was 12 years ago and I'm still going strong. I love radio.

2) What is it that you like about being an on-air personality?

It's usually quite easy. I was a rock star before I got into radio, so it was no big deal dealing with the notoriety. The only difference is that nowadays people recognize my voice before they recognize my face. The great thing about being an on-air personality is that I get to do a lot of charity work, which makes me feel like I'm making a difference. I feel like I have a personal relationship with the listeners.

3) Do you still get a kick out of hearing your own music on the air?

I never get tired of hearing my own music on the radio. I never get tired of receiving ASCAP checks, too!

4) Aside from a new love for radio, you write novels and short stories. Fill us in on that. How do you find the time to continue writing while keeping on top of The Greg Kihn Show?

I've been a writer for many years and I've been fortunate to have been published. I started out writing in the Stephen King format of horror/thrillers, but I quickly moved into using music in my stories. If there's one thing I know, it's backstage stories and studio tricks. My newest book is called "DEAD AIR." It's a radio murder mystery about a morning show guy who finds a body one morning. I just finished it and sent it to my agent. Hopefully she'll find a publisher in the near future. Time is always a problem and now that I've started syndication, it's damn near impossible to find the time. For the time being, I'll just have to write on weekends (when I'm not gigging). In my life right now, syndication takes the driver's seat. It's my main focus. Success in syndication means everything to me, and the early stage -- while we're growing by leaps and bounds -- is the most exciting time.

5) You've also put out a book of stories by other musicians as well. Who was involved?

You're talking about "Carved in Rock," which features stories by Ray Manzarek (The Doors), Pete Townshend (The Who) and Joan Jett, which I collected and edited. That was a great project with great stories.

6) What is the difference between your morning show and the syndicated show?

I am still learning the difference between syndicated shows and regular morning shows. Obviously there are huge differences. The morning show is local and has many local elements that wouldn't be appropriate for syndication, but the essence of great radio -- interviews, live jamming, taking calls, commenting, ranting, making observations -- is always the same. Great radio begins in the heart. I have a genuine passion for Classic Rock and I think it comes out in everything I do. Also, musicology is a big part of what I'm bringing to the party. I personally know most of these acts; I've worked with them, so I might have insights a regular guy wouldn't have.

7) Who are some of the guests we can expect to hear you talking with on your show?

I'm very lucky to have some pretty interesting friends. So you'll get to hear anecdotes from the likes of Pete Townshend, Eddie Money, the guys in Cheap Trick and Styx. The list goes on and on.

8) Do you find that your knowing the interviewee makes for a better interview?

Yes, I think that interviews should be conversational. I hate inquisitions.

9) Other than the writing, what are your hobbies?

Hobbies? I don't have much time for hobbies, but I love to read fiction -- history and biographies. In the spring, I hatch a bunch of baby praying mantis and raise them in captivity. There's nothing cooler than watching a full-grown four-inch praying mantis eat a cricket. I get a little better at it every year. It's a fun Entomology experiment. I love to cook on the grill. I also do some star gazing with my telescope at night. Of course, I love cars and I like to take my Corvette out to rallies with the Corvette Club of Northern California. I am going to record a series of spoken-word CDs of my novels and short stories, and also some classic American poetry like the works of Edgar Allan Poe.

10) With all you have going on, what does the future hold for you? What's left?

I have some huge plans for the next couple of years. My manager and business partner for many years, Joel Turtle, and I are negotiating to buy 114 acres of prime vineyard land in Livermore, CA, and we're going to build a winery with an event center, restaurant and concert amphitheater. It's a giant undertaking, but I am really excited about it. I'll build a radio/recording studio on the land and do the syndicated show live every night from the venue. It's going to be so cool! Oh, and by the way, I'm also working on a movie script. More about that later.