10 Questions with ... Brett Andrews

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

After doing nights at KFRX and KZCH, I moved to afternoon drive at HOT 97.5 in Las Vegas. In 2007, I moved back to Milwaukee for nights at 103.7 KISS FM. In 2010, I moved to Portland, OR as APD, then later PD at Z100 and Wild 107.5. After three years in Portland, I moved to St. Louis as PD at Z107.7 and WILD 104.9 for two years. I came back to Milwaukee in early 2015 and am currently PD at Top 40 97.3 NOW and Classic Hits 95.7 BIG FM as well as on air at 97-3 NOW, Z100 Portland, 104.7 KISS FM Phoenix, and 103.5 KISS FM Chicago.

1) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?

Yes, I'm certainly wearing more hats than when I first started in radio almost 18 years ago, but, like most, the multi-hat model has been the norm in our industry for many years. I wouldn't have it any other way. I think the fact that I do afternoon drive and imaging for WRNW makes me a more effective PD as it allows me to be completely hands-on and up close with the brand. It makes me feel more on the frontlines and more invested in winning.

2) Who handles your imaging, and what voices are you using?

I do the majority of the imaging on 97.3 NOW, with assistance from our very talented cluster Imaging Dir. Shawn Ridder (who doubles as the PM-drive host on our Country station, WMIL). At every Top 40 that I've programmed, I've used Diego (Imaging Dir. at KDWB) as my voice guy. Diego and I have been great friends since our days at KZCH in Wichita. When I arrived in Portland as APD, Tommy Austin (who was the PD at the time) asked me if I wanted to get an additional VO guy or a new jingle package. We opted to try Diego to compliment K3, and he immediately cut through. Now Diego voices MyFM in Chicago, Q102 in Philly, Y100 in Miami and KIIS in L.A., among others. I also recently added Jessica DiCicco as a female counter-voice to Diego. Jessica's background is acting and voice acting, rather than radio. If you do an IMDB search for her, you'll see aside from being cast in The Godfather: Part III as a kid, she's got an animated voice acting resume a mile long (Her dad Bobby is an accomplished actor as well). Jessica brings great range, and because of her acting background, she gives me so many different reads to work with. It's amazing!

3) "Local local local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?

We launched The Rahny Taylor Morning Show late last fall. Rahny, a 10-plus-year market vet, loves connecting one-on-one with listeners. He's currently doing a great promotion with a local gym on Saturday mornings by taking classes with listeners who want to change their health and lives. Rahny has been a big part of the Milwaukee community for over a decade in various rolls, including, a long-run game day host for our NBA team, the Bucks. morning show producer Dave Michaels, Promotions Dir. Hannah, and I were all born and raised in Milwaukee, so the connection to this city is a main part of the vibe and personality of the radio station.

4) What is your favorite part of the job?

I still really love being on the air. Milwaukee is where I grew up and most of my family is still here. Being on the air in my hometown is really special for me. Also, Milwaukee is just up the street from Chicago where I do live weekends at WKSC. After all these years, I still get a thrill from opening that mic and going live. Growing up so close to Chicago and hearing all the legends that market has produced, it's really been a big highlight on my career being able to crack the mic in that market for the past few years.

5) What is the most challenging part of the job?

Really, as most people can relate, time management is my biggest challenge. Between scheduling music, on-air, administrational responsibilities, jock meetings, sales calls, imaging, I could easily never go home if I'm not careful to triage and multi-task.

6) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?

My favorite jock has always been JoJo Wright in LA. JoJo's knowledge of and connection with his audience is unmatched. I went to jock school listening to airchecks of decades and decades of KDWB jocks.

7) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

I was in early high school when WLUM became New Rock 102.1 in the heart of the mid-'90s Alternative push, which I loved. Next came the boy band era of the late '90s, early 2000s ... which put WXSS on the map for young Milwaukee. WXSS would be my future employer and current competition. I've always been a Talk format fan, so I listened to The Green House on WTMJ, Coast To Coast AM on WISN, and news on 780 WBBM out of Chicago. In college I constantly streamed KIIS, Z100, WKSC and FLZ.

8) Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

Once I realized I wasn't going to be Ryan Seacrest, I became determined to be a good programmer. I went to PD grad school as Tommy Austin's APD at KKRZ/Portland. After a year-and-a-half, Tommy was transferred and I was promoted to PD. Tommy gave me a similar opportunity at KSLZ/St. Louis. Guys like Kerry Wolfe, Brian Kelly and Adam Michaels have always helped guide me and I've bounced my insecurities off of Mat Mitchell for most of my career and worked with him in several spots (WXSS, KZCH, WRIT, KZZP).

9) What music do you listen to when you're not working?

I love '90s Modern A/C music like Matchbox 20, Barenaked Ladies and Goo Goo Dolls. I also love James Taylor, Brett Dennen, Counting Crows, Elton John, Jack Johnson, Ryan Adams, Van Morrison, Teitur, and A Tribe Called Quest.

10) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?

I still have Passion. Plus, I'm not qualified for any other earthly things.

What ringtone do you have on your cell?

I've got that "old school" phone as a ring, and Star Trek sound effects for texts and e-mails ... yeah, I'm a Star Trek Nerd ... wanna fight about it?