10 Questions with ... Jack Mehoff

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

I started my career at KILO just over 10 years ago. I walked through the doors as a just barely 18-year-old intern. I truly did grow up here. I would have to say that the knowledge past to me by Ross Ford and Rich Hawk has been greater than I have deserved. As a kid I would listen to Rick Roddam every night I could.

2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?

When I was 13, I spent a summer driving tractors, 12 hour days, six days a week. I had not much to do but drive in a straight line and listen to the radio. At that age the thought of working in radio seemed a bit unattainable, the idea was always a fun one. Fast forward a year or two, I moved to Colorado Springs and found a station of the likes I'd never heard. Around the age of 17 I started to tell anyone who would listen that I would work at this station.

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

KILO is very unique in the fact that our newest full-time jock has been with us for six years. We are very much like family ... a very odd, foul-mouthed family. That consistency really does give our listeners the feeling they've known us forever.

4) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

Staying relevant in a digital age filled with iPods, YouTubes, Androids and Pandoras. The new hurdle is to bring something more to the table -- radio, more so then ever, is everything between the music.

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

Alice in Chains at Red Rocks tops my list this year.

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

Hard work will always win.

8) How do you interact with your sales staff?

Not so much before I have my coffee.

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?

Most of my prep is done before work while I'm watching the news and waking up. Now with my cell phone, I'm on the Internet most of the day reading something.

10) 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?

My weekly music meeting consists of my PD Ross Ford and myself sitting in a room, listening to everything new. Ross makes ****ed-up jokes I'm not ready for that early in my day. We narrow the pile down to the best of show, then put each one on the air on a nightly basis where my listeners, in graphic detail, tell me what they like and don't. What they hate, I take a blowtorch to. The rest are dictated by gut.

How have music file-sharing services affected the way you program to your audience?

Listeners will now call and ask for the correct spelling of band names and songs. It hasn't change the way we program; they still know where to come to find the new rock.

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

Everyone has something to teach you; on seldom occasion they will teach you what not to do.

Favorite artist you have met?

Tom Morrello would rank high on my list ... just a normal guy. If I only could go back in time and tell my 13-year-old self that one day I would drink scotch with such a guitar legend after an amazing show.