10 Questions with ... Johnny Maze

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• KHLR - College Station,TX 95-97
• KTBZ - Houston, TX 97 - 2000
• KCCQ - Des Moines, IA 2001
• KSYR - Shreveport, LA 2002
• KRXE - Lafayette, LA 2002 - 2004
• WRXW - Jackson, MS 2004 - 2007
• WXZZ - Lexington, KY 2007 - Present

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

My first job was in high school: I volunteered at a local junior college that had a radio station that at the time allowed non-students to be a part of it. Damn, did I SUCK on the air, but I loved it and haven't looked back.

I was lucky to grow up in Houston where my influences were Moby back when he was a rock jock, Stevens and Pruett, John Lander and Glen Beck when he was a Top 40 DJ. I also had family on the East Coast and listened to NYC radio growing up with the likes of Scott Shannon and Howard Stern before syndication.

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

I think so. This is a great industry and a rewarding job when you visualize and create an idea, write a promo, have sales sell it, and then execute it on the air.

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

I have several relatives in show business. My cousin, Mark L. Walberg, is the game show host and host of "Antiques Roadshow," and my cousins Molly and Bonnie Morgan who has been on all the hit TV shows as a guest stars. My older brother, who is a lawyer in Housto,n was in the movie 'The Godfather.' He was Tom Hagen's son and in the famous wedding picture. So I would hope to think that in some way, I would be involved in show business.

4) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?

That's a tough question, because it seems like every six months, our industry is going through changes. There will always be some sort of broadcasting of music. Radio is being forced to rethink how we get the music and message to our listeners with terrestrial radio, streaming, podcasts, MySpace and Facebook, etc. I certainly hope to be continuing to grow with whatever direction this ride takes me.

5) If you could add any one full-time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?

My one full-time position if I was able to bring someone in is a clone of me. Not me, but someone who can really do whatever is needed - on-air, music logs, production, website maintenance, promotions.

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

My morning guy Twitch has been here over six years and every year, he does a one week promotion called "Homeless for the Holidays." He lives for five straight days outside and he broadcasts live for 16 hours a day. We collect food, clothing and toys. The city loves us; the firefighters' toy drive loves us; the food pantries love us. It's truly fulfilling to be a part of this great public service.

7) How do you position the station musically and why did you choose this direction?

Lexington has a heritage Classic Rocker that has been here 30 years. WXZZ plays a mix of Classic Rock, Active Rock and the best of the best of Alternative rock. We are able to balance it really well.

8) How do you market your radio station?

We market our station in a variety of ways. Our cluster is partnered with the local NBC affiliate in town. We get our logo on their airwaves as often as possible. We have a Facebook page and a MySpace page that we continue to grow. We have partnered with a local publisher that puts out several magazines a year with a volume of close to 40,000 copies. We have ads in every issue promoting our station or a station event. And we partner with some great local charities and events to get our logo out there for as many impressions as we can.

9) In today's world of multi-tasking and wearing many hats, how do you find time to show prep and what sources do you use?

The Internet is a great tool, I use All Access, and I also read the music magazines. I catch TV when I can to find out some show prep ... and I observe everyday life events of the world, nationally, locally, sports or major news stories.

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

Something that I pride myself on is being organized and very detail-oriented. With SO much stuff on my plate, I have a to-do list every day. I add stuff and cross stuff off it all day long. Ask anyone that I work with, I carry it with me everywhere all day ... take it to lunch and take the list home at night.

Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?

I find myself playing around with our website more and more to keep learning new things to add to it to make it a better experience for our listeners to interact with us. And I can always improve with production imaging.

Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?

I would have to say Colin Cowherd on ESPN radio. He is compelling, interesting, funny and knowledgeable. He is an expert of the DJ qualities of keeping listeners to build TSL with teases into breaks, re-setting the station and guests during interviews.

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

So far this year, I have seen a variety of concerts of all formats, but every time I see Stone Temple Pilots I would have to say that is the best concert.

What is your favorite TV show?

How I Met Your Mother, V, Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men ... CBS Monday ROCKS!

You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have 5 CDs with you. What are they?

• Tool - Aenama
• STP - Core
• Nivana - Nevermind
• Soundgarden - Superunknown
• Disturbed - The Sickness