10 Questions with ... Dylan

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• 2012 - KDWB/MINNEAPOLIS - Dave Ryan Show Intern
• 2013 - IHEARTMEDIA/MINNEAPOLIS - Board Op
• 2014 - KTLK/MINNEAPOLIS - Morning Show Producer
• 2014 - KDWB/MINNEAPOLIS - Late Nights
• 2015 - KFRX/LINCOLN - Afternoon Drive/Music Director/Social Media Brand Manager
• 2015 - KKDM/DES MOINES - Afternoon Drive/Music Director/Imaging Director
• 2017 - WZPL/INDIANAPOLIS - Afternoon Drive/Music Director

1) What led you to a career in radio?

I won a contest to see Rita Ora in the KDWB Sky Room and when I was looking up the address for the radio station, there was an ad looking for morning show interns...and the rest, as they say, is history!

2) How would you describe your first radio gig?

The first thing I (kinda) got paid for in radio was being a board op for iHeartMedia Minneapolis, making sure all 6 radio stations were on the air.

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

Surprisingly, no! When I was in Lincoln and Des Moines I wore roughly the same amount of hats, but I had a TON more of responsibilities...if ya know what I mean.

4) What is your favorite part of the job?

I have two...

1. Discovering new artists & music.
2. Developing & curating on-air talent.

5) What artist would we be surprised to find on your personal playlist?

I guess it shouldn't be a surprise, but growing up in the greater Twin Cities Metro, Prince had a tremendous impact on my musical preference. So he's on there...A LOT!

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

SHOUTOUT TIME...

Tony Fly: This might sound odd since I've never actually talked to him, but he has always been one of my biggest influences. I remember listening to him as a kid and every time he turned on the mic it sounded fun and upbeat like there was a party in the studio.

JJ Kincaid: I've always appreciated how conversational JJ is...It's always sounded like you were talking with one of your closest friends. Over the past 3 years, JJ has probably helped me the most when it comes to being an on-air talent.

JoJo Wright: I remember watching his California air checks during my board op shifts and took notes on what he did...one of the best to do it AND humble.

Big D: He basically took me under his wing during our time at KDWB, teaching me A LOT about being an on-air jock, but also showing me the ropes on everything off the air as well.

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

Creativity. For me, that has been the only challenging thing about radio. Finding new ways to be innovative.

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

Growing up in the Twin Cities in the late 90's/early 2000's, there was only one station, 101.3 K-D-W-B!

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

MORE SHOUTOUTS...

DAVE RYAN: I was the WORST morning show intern. He should have fired me AT LEAST 20 times but he didn't...and for that, I thank you!

RICH DAVIS: Giving me my first job in radio and seeing SOMETHING in me.

ANDREW LEE: Letting me work with an AM station and realizing that was not for me!

MATT MCKAY: Giving me my first full time gig in radio.

GREG CHANCE: When it comes to programming, everything I know was from Greg.

JOHN "INTERN JOHN" CERRITO: Showing me the ropes of the radio hustle.

TOMMY CHUCK & MAYNARD: Not holding back when it came to my mediocre air checks.

JR AMMONS: My newest mentor, giving me an incredible opportunity here in Indy...somebody pray for him.

10) What advice would you give people new to the business?

I would give them the same advice Dave Ryan gave me right before I left for Lincoln, Nebraska...

He told me that there are a lot of lazy people in radio who will do the bare minimum to get by. Be the hardest working guy in the room, and you'll go far.

What was your last non-industry job?

I was a full-time car lot attendant to pay my bills so that I could be a late night on air guy at KDWB...we've all been there, am I right?