10 Questions with ... Danny Hill

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• KOST: 1998
• KSLY: 1998
• KWWV: 2000
• KALZ: 2002
• KUBB: 2004
• KITH/KJMQ/KTOH: 2005
• KLLY: 2007
• KITH/KJMQ/KTOH: 2011
• KKJQ: 2013
• KLLY: 2015
• KRWI: 2018 - Present

1. Most people associate you with your long tenure at KLLY/Bakersfield. How did it come to pass that you are now a radio station owner?

My mother passed away last year and left me a small inheritance. She asked me to invest it in property or a business. Her fear was I would just sit on it and spend it slowly. We went house hunting and didn't find anything we could afford. We have five kids so we need a big house. I wasn't sure what type of business I could own, I know nothing about any business except radio. I was on an e-mail blast from radio broker in town that listed radio stations for sale. I saw he had some in nearby markets. I talked to my wife and asked if she would like to run a radio station and I could still have my job in town. Might be a good idea since we both know radio and if it's cheap enough, then it could be a "bonus" income.

I set up a visit to station in Porterville and came close to a deal but at the last second, another buyer came in and paid for asking price in cash. I was disappointed but I was letting God do his work. The broker brought up another station 67 miles away in Wofford Heights and said it was because of the altitude it could only be 87 watts but it covered Lake Isabella and the ski resort.

I dumped money into engineering studies and each one came back that I couldn't move the station towards Bakersfield. The radio locater map showed it should be able to cover Bakersfield at the height, but it didn't for some reason. I couldn't power up the signal legally so I was out of options. I could move it off the mountain top and place in Lake Isabella and up the power because the H.A.T. would be more reasonable there. I figured I would just try to make it work in the small cities that were up there.

Then winter came and it snowed collectively 90 inches in three months on the mountain top. It froze my antenna and we went off the air. I researched a weatherproof Single Bay antenna and had one delivered. When winter passed, we went to the tower sight and discovered the antenna was pointing down ... it was broken dangling from the co-ax cable. I wondered how long it had been that way. I still had over a year on my tower lease, so I had to re-mount the new antenna. After finding a certified tower climber we set it up and turned it on. My phone rang no less than five minutes after turning it on. My buddy Joey called and said, "Did you fix your station? I can hear it in my car." I was baffled; "where are you?" He responded, "Bakersfield."

It turns out the other antenna was never working properly and was broken. The new antenna actually covered the predicted area -- Bakersfield, Delano, Porterville and the mountain cities. We were in business. That's how I came to own my first radio station.

2. Earlier this year as new owners, you and your wife Kait signed on KRWI as Rewind 98.1. What was the thought behind the format?

As a small business owner, we couldn't be compete with the large companies. I wanted to do something different. And looking at the landscape of the market, there were six stations serving 18-34 and only two serving 25-54. I'm 40 years old and I don't have a station to call my own. I designed this format from what I know best. It's not appealing to large companies, because we don't play new music. Its only huge gold hits. Perfect for a mom-and-pop organization.

3. You and Kait also co-host the morning show together. How has that been going?

It's been a dream come true. I get to do a show with my best friend and life partner. She is so much smarter than me and does everything with so much passion and heart. I truly couldn't imagine working with anyone else at this point.

4. What's the wackiest thing that's crossed the owner's desk so far?

R. Kelly hate letters. People want us to pull his music for obvious reasons. Hill Broadcasting is a family-owned company and I have five kids. But if I take off all the musicians who have done things that I personally think are bad, then we couldn't play Chris Brown, Michael Jackson, Dr. Dre ... the list goes on and on. So I left it up to the audience and put up a poll on our Facebook. Should we pull R. Kelly? Overwhelmingly they said "No." I had to make an executive decision and I pulled a majority of his songs and only kept the ones he was on with multiple artists.

5. You lived and worked in Hawaii. How was that part of your adventure?

I lived on the island of Kaua'i and flew to Maui and Oahu on a regular basis. The people there are very loving and giving. I worked for a guy who taught me a lot about running my own stations. He showed me the business side of radio. I learned how to sell and make money. I learned why local is so important. It was beautiful there. If I make enough money, I want to buy his cluster from him. I'm sure that would make him happy as well.

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

I'm Mr. Bakersfield! I gave out over 300 backpacks to needy kids with the help of local charities. I get involved with school programs; we play a song written for a local mother who lost her daughter three years ago and is still searching to find her. I play local music from the '90s from our areas largest local band "Mento Buru" If there is a need I'll be there, and this community knows that. We are the people's station. I am a father and husband who lives and shops with them. If my wife would let me, I'd run for mayor. I really want to do good with my life. I want my children to see how that feels and what it's like to have pride in what you do.

7. If you could pick one "dream" guest to sit in on the show with you and Kait, who would it be?

My mother and father, who have passed away. I'd like to ask them if they're proud. I'd like to tell them I appreciate all that they taught me. I would love for my father to meet Kait and my children. I would like to hear their laughs one more time.

8. What was your favorite radio station as a kid? Jock?

Sly 96FM. Tim Brown was the afternoon jock and the morning show was Mark & Brian. I had the pleasure of working with Tim and I was able to meet Mark & Brian years later. To this day I remember how Tim Brown signed off ... He'd yell "Seee YAA" and I would smile. He made me feel like I was his friend. Years later he was.

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

My mentors have always been two people. Chris Blood was my first PD. He taught me timing and relatability. E. Curtis Johnson was my first OM and he taught me to be selective about what and when I say it. He taught me how to control my comedy and to be funny 100% of the time. The people who have influenced my career are my co-workers. Steve Darnel taught me professionalism; I prayed with Rose Ortega in the mornings. I laughed with Danny Salas and Rick Roddem in the evenings. I cried with Oso Mighty when my mom died. I was held up by Mary Lou Gunn when my new baby was exhausting me. I listened and learned from Gnarly Charley, Laurie West, Inga Barks and Ralph Baily. I respected the work ethic of Skippy and Koyote. I found myself surrounded by a large group of true professionals. I talked to Danny P daily about programing philosophies and each one of them have influenced me. I've always been honored to work with such professionals.

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

Be nice to everyone ...you never know when you might need a job.

Do you have a Merle Haggard story from back in the day?

I wish I did. He was long gone when I came to town.