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10 Questions with ... Ken "Vmaxx" Vehmeier
February 18, 2020
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started doing college radio at The University Of Alaska/Fairbanks in the ‘90s. This was an unpaid position, but the station at the time was selling advertising, so they were technically not a typical college radio station. So, a disgruntled jock blew the whistle on them, which in turn made them pull the plug, so we were all out of a job. I got out of radio and did many unfulfilling jobs including, cannery work, commercial fishing, forest firefighter, construction worker, retail and semi-truck driving. All were great experiences, but I knew I wasn't living my life, and radio was always calling. I finally got back into radio when I won a "Who wants to be a DJ" reality show type of competition. And I have been living my dream full-time for the past 12 years.
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
A great experience, it was back in the days of CD's and commercials on carts. So it was much more than today’s click a mouse and space bar production.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
I've always been a huge fan of radio and always knew that was what I wanted to do. I was actually a "prize pig," so one day the station I was winning on asked me if I was interested in doing radio, and DUH!! I started the next day.
3. What is your favorite part of the job?
It never feels like a job. I really enjoy going in every day. And it has opened up a whole bunch of other great side hustles, like PA/DJ work and Sports Broadcasting.
4. How do you make sure that your morning show sets the tone for the rest of the station's broadcast day?
I'm pretty high energy, I do a very positive upbeat show, I try to make the listeners a very big part of the show. Lots of local content to try and set us apart from some of the syndicated shows we compete with.
5. You wear plenty of hats every day. How do you budget your time so that you make sure that everything you need to get done gets handled?
That's tough, I work ahead on my morning show, I usually do music scheduling on Mondays and Tuesdays, do an hour or two of promotion work a day. I voicetrack for one of our out of market stations, so I give that time daily. But honestly, so many unplanned things pop up daily with production, or interviews, it's tough. My co-workers laugh at me because I'm old school, and I rely so much on having everything written down on my giant desk calendar. Yes, I know my phone has one.
6. "Local local local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
We are very involved with our local non-profits. Like our Foodbank Rescue Mission, which is a Homeless Shelter. We sponsor as many non-profit walks and runs as we can. We sponsor youth sports teams, and we always promote as many local happenings on our stations as we can. It really sets us apart from the other stations that run out of market talent.
7. Which social media platforms are you finding best to engage your listeners on these days?
For us, Facebook has always been the most interactive. We do a bunch of contesting there, and always have interactive topics for our followers.
8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Be myself. It would be impossible to have a radio persona, and then be someone different in my daily life or out in public.
9. What was your favorite station when you were a kid?
I would say, the one I am on now, K-WOLF 98.1 in Fairbanks. I was that kid recording Casey Kasem and AT40. Jock? Not one in particular. I do remember when I moved to Phoenix, I listened to KUPD, and knew THAT was what I wanted to do.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
I always looked up to two local jocks, who are now in The Alaska Broadcasters Hall Of Fame. Not only for their show, but for the fact, that they could actually make a living and thrive doing radio!! I never thought that would be possible, until they hired me. Their names are Glenner Anderson and Jerry Evans (Glenner and Jerry). As far as influence, hands down McConnell Adams, who is now in Lansing and killing it. He has helped me with everything from on air work, to being a PD and programming duties, imaging, production, contesting, every aspect. I like to call him "Daddy."
Bonus Questions
If someone were coming to Fairbanks for the first time, what would you make sure that they saw?
Summertime--Come in June for the Solstice, almost 24 hours of daylight and tons of great events outside under the "Midnight Sun." Winter--Hopefully you can come up and enjoy The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). We are blessed to live in Alaska.
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