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10 Questions with ... Damien "Chino” Mata
June 7, 2022
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1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
Wild. At the time it was Tower 98 (98.3 WTWR). The stories I have from that place would take up this entire page. I still talk to almost everyone from that station and that was almost 20 years ago. That place really gave me a chance to learn who I wanted to be as jock. Tower 98 hottie for life.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
I had literally nothing going on in my life, I worked every job under the sun and was miserable. I heard a commercial for a school in my area, Specs Howard School of Broadcasting. I remember telling my mom I could do that, as a joke. A few days later she told me I had a meeting at the school. That place changed my entire life. I fell in love with it the second they showed me how to use a board
3. You’re 14 years into your tenure now at KDUK. What do you find most attractive about the Pacific Northwest?
It’s beautiful...you have the ocean, you can go skiing, you have the high desert. If you love the outdoors...this is the place for ya. There is great food here too...I'm a big food guy. When college football season hits it’s hard to find a place that parties harder than Eugene
4. How does your morning show set the table for the rest of the station’s broadcast day?
It’s about energy for me. I'm just trying to have a good time for my 4 hours every day. That energy carries over to the person that comes in after you--they can feel it. So if you come in with that Eeyore energy, you’re going to bring down the rest of the crew. Some days it’s hard, but you gotta find a way to bring that energy—it’s a must!
5. What do you love most about doing mornings?
I love the unpredictability of doing a live morning show. You really don't know if a segment is going to go as planned or who might be on the other end of the phone. It’s a fun challenge.
6. Who would be a ‘dream guest’ to have plug in across from you on your show?
To be honest...and it might be a bit slefish, because it would totally be for me. My Father, as he faced some big challenges growing up, and I have always been fascinated with the stories he would tell me as a kid. I would love to sit him down and just get all those stories down on tape.
7. What did you learn about yourself as a communicator navigating the pandemic?
I think in more of a personal way the pandemic slowed me down a lot. I was always on to the next thing, next call, next message, next whatever it was. The pandemic made appreciate those personal conections with people more. It also showed me I hate video meeting more than in person meetings.
8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Be you. The only way to truly have success is to be yourself. If you’re not, the listener will know, they always know.
9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
I'm from Detroit so...89x (CIMX) was my #1. They fipped the format like a year ago...it’s a CRIME. Planet 96.3 with DJ Lisa Lisa and Bo the Jammer. And the KINGS of Detroit moring radio--Drew and Mike, my friends and I still quote those guys!
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
Jeff Brown, aka The Captian, would be a big one. He hired me for my first full time gig...even though I'm pretty sure I wasn't the guy his bosses wanted. I was pretty wild when I got there and he let me be me and helped me really find my voice. The whole crew at Tower 98… I’m not sure I could have walked into a place with a better group of people. And Val Steele, she has believed in me even when I wasn't believing in myself
Bonus Questions
With the venue of choice at your disposal and an unlimited budget, which 3-5 acts would you pull together for a station show?
Taylor Swift and Drake for the people. Since the budget is unlimted...give me a billion ‘cause we are getting OutKast back together!
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