10 Questions with ... Skippy

NAME:Skippy TITLE:Middays, Music Director STATIONS:103.7 KRZR MARKET:Fresno, CA COMPANY:Clear Channel BORN:Fresno, CA RAISED:Fresno, CA

1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?

I interned in the promotions department in the summer of 2001. When I first interviewed with the on-air boss, he later told me he wondered what in the world I was doing here... and why I still was around.

2) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?

This station has a personality and life all of its own. It reflects the people that live in our broadcast area and is one of the hardest rocking stations that exist. The station is going on 20 years old soon and it's the first one I've worked at full-time. I was a fan before I started here. I work here and I still love it.

3) How have the recent FCC regulations impacted the way you program your music and the station's dialogue on the air? What are your feelings about these recent changes?

We have a version of Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion" that has the word "ass" blocked out... yet flip to a rap station, and there are entire songs depicting all kinds of "racy" material. Can somebody tell me what the guidelines are exactly?

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

I think investors were hoping that satellite radio was going to wipe terrestrial radio off of the map, but what they forgot was that there's a relationship between listeners and their local stations that's harder to replace. As for the internet, we were one of the first to broadcast online and it has given us the chance to reach listeners who've moved (we have a large military base nearby) and gain new listeners from all over.

5) How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?

There's a whole lot of paperwork now, we have to document everything -- CDs, T-shirts, promotional stuff... at one point, we thought we'd have to document unsolicited singles and MP3s sent our way. What a pain in the ass that would have been! I wasn't around for the glory days of being pampered by record labels... too bad some people took that too far and have now made everyday interactions with labels require a four-page compliance letter.

6) Please describe the best or worst promotion you've ever been part of?

"Skippy Show Us Your Cans Food Drive"... the person who brought in the most canned food for the local shelter got Aerosmith tickets. We ended up with a ton of tomato paste (apparently because it was cheap) and one of our part-timers, no longer with us, was busted for taking food from the pile because "he was needy too."

7) What is the most rewarding promotion or activity your station has ever been involved with to benefit the community or a charity?

Last year, our station did an 8 week long "community service project" to raise money for the MS 150, a 150-mile, two-day cycling event that a team of us participated in. We had a bake sale, a paintball tournament, an auction of our weekly feature that provides lunch to one winner and had a pledge drive on the air. It was incredible to have so much support and to raise money with the help of our listeners for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, especially from a rock format that usually isn't associated with some generosity.

8) How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?

We run bi-weekly surveys and take into account requests, what sells in the market (tour stops and CDs), and what's happening nationally.

9) How often do you do remotes and which work best for the station?

Those have become rare, reduced substantially in just the six years I have been here. I'd say we have one remote every one to two weeks, not counting an occasional bar night. There has to be an incentive for listeners to come by... concert tickets, premiere tickets to a big movie... their time is limited and we really need to make our remote a destination that's worth the trip. I try and shake everyone's hand and get their name, it's amazing how that simple gesture can make a connection.

10) If you are voice tracking shifts or syndicating for stations outside of your market, how do you get familiar with that marketplace/community?

I track for Victorville, CA. I rely heavily on their station's website, thefox1065.com. I also pay close attention to what my boss has to say and the emails I get from listeners. When I started about a year ago, I got a run down of the demo and always try to keep that in mind.

What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?

I was an Agricultural Communications major and thought for sure that I would be taking over my dad's agricultural businesses when he retired. Talk about a 180.

What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

My first boss E. Curtis Johnson said don't put yourself in a situation in which he couldn't protect you. Good words to live and work by.

Favorite artist you have met?

Kirk from Metallica was my first interview. He was so incredibly polite. As we talked, Lars was in the same room having dinner, talking shit and laughing in the background. I could not believe this was what I was being paid to do.

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

Garth Brooks debut album. I was 6 when it came out and BEGGED my mom to take me to meet him at a Kmart an hour away. She didn't. A few years later, she bought me tickets to see him from crappy seats at our local venue.

How did you get your present job?

I PAID almost $400 to take a summer internship in our promotions department and work for free... From there, I worked my way onto the air with an internship, went part-time and then full-time in Promotions and eventually made the transition to full-time on air.

What is your biggest pet peeve with your airstaff?

Making a mess of the studio... I feel like we're stuck in the 50s since I'm the only chick on the staff and thus... often find myself cleaning up other people's crap.