10 Questions with ... Andy Hall

NAME:Andy Hall TITLE:Midday host and Music Director STATION:KAZR MARKET:Des Moines, IA COMPANY:Saga Communications BORN:Minneapolis, MN RAISED:Minneapolis, MN

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

KXXR/Minneapolis, KAZR/Des Moines, KQWB/Fargo, KAZR/Des Moines ...again

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

I was a meteorology major in college before I was re-introduced to my first love: "Radio!" My uncle, growing up, was a disc jockey at KQRS and KTCZ in Minneapolis, and I remember being fascinated with the process and all the pretty lights as a kid. It took a while before I realized it was what I wanted to do for a living. Did college radio at WRFW/River Falls, WI as Sports Director, which I guess was my first gig. Then I interned at KXXR/Minneapolis with Remy Maxwell from 1999 through 2001. From there, got the gig at KAZR/Des Moines in June 2001, thanks to Ryan Castle, who at the time was MD at KXXR, and used to work under Troy Hansen and Sean Elliott at KAZR/Des Moines. Did overnights and weekends for eight months before getting promoted to full-time nights in March of 2002. Took a PD gig at KQWB/Fargo in September, 2003 before coming back to KAZR/Des Moines in May, 2004 to replace the departed Jo Michaels as MD/midday host. And the rest is gravy.

2) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?

Without question, the best thing about what I do for a living is that there are ALWAYS things to learn. That, along with the changing climate of the musical landscape, are the primary reasons I stay interested and would definitely do it all over again, with very few differences in the path I've taken so far.

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

Before I realized radio was what I wanted to do, I was a meteorology major. I have no doubts whatsoever I would be working in a weather-related field. I have a morbid fascination with the destructive power of Mother Nature, and I still chase severe storms and tornadoes in my spare time.

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

There are so many things that make working at the Des Moines Radio Group unique from anywhere else I've been. I guess I'd have to start with the company; Saga Communications is, and always has been, a huge proponent of its people. Any resource or outlet I've ever needed has been given to us in my experience thus far. They believe in the power of their people, which leads me to the next thing I'd say that makes us unique, and that's the people I work with. It's a network unlike any I've ever experienced - from the programmers, like my PD Ryan Patrick, and our group's OM Jim Schaefer to our promotions and marketing staff, including Scott Allen and Joe Acker. A really great system has been put into place here that ensures success in any of our ventures.

5) What can we be doing with our station web sites to better our stations as a whole?

Make them more interactive! A few things I absolutely love about our website www.lazer1033.com) include opportunities for our listeners to review concerts we've had in town recently, review CDs that have come out, that they own and have an opinion on - plus an opportunity for us jocks to show our listeners in another way that we're humans, just like them, with our own personal jock blogs. We have one of the best websites in the country, in my opinion. Things like that are invaluable in the never-ending battle to grow our personal relationships with listeners.

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

I was always given 45s and 33 1/3rds as gifts when I was young. I had a HUGE collection. But I think the first one I ever bought, with my own money, was Prince's "Purple Rain." He was HUGE in my neck of the woods at that point in my life.

7) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year and why?

I recently saw Queen + Paul Rodgers in St. Paul. I could almost call that a religious experience, being such a huge Queen fan. Love Free and Bad Company as well, so seeing Paul Rodgers do these songs I love so much with Queen truly made it an experience I won't ever forget.

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

KXXR/Minneapolis. Everything from their imaging to their personalities to their musical selection makes me, as a rock music fan, want to listen. That station bleeds attitude.

9) Tell us what music we would find on your car or home CD player (or turntable) right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?

Right now, I'm listening to Henry Rollins' "Rise Above," which was released a few years ago as a benefit for the West Memphis 3. Henry is another of my heroes, considering all he's been through and everything that man has done with his life...I truly look up to him as a human being. Not to mention I've always loved Black Flag, so to hear people like Mike Patton take on "Six Pack," or Corey Taylor do "Room 13" is something I regularly go back to when I have nothing new to listen to.

10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?

I would hope my career thus far is only the beginning. I feel I still have a lot to give this business. I have done every daypart imaginable with the exception of mornings, I've been part time and I've been full time. I've programmed a station and I am, at present, a Music Director. I have hundreds of goals that haven't been fulfilled yet, but I have no doubts I can reach them in time. No regrets or missed opportunities. I'm just happy to be included in the very small percentage of people who can honestly say, "I can't wait to get to work" when they get up in the morning.

What is your favorite TV show?

The Shield. When I grow up, I want to be Vic Mackey...without IAD sniffin' my jock.

Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?

Freddie Mercury. The most amazing front man to have ever lived in my opinion.

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

1. Queen "Queen II"
2. Johnny Cash "Live at Folsom Prison"
3. The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
4. Guns N Roses "Appetite For Destruction"
5. Led Zeppelin "II"