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10 Questions with ... Randy Hendrix
November 22, 2022
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1988-89-KJRC-AM-MODESTO JR COLLEGE-ON AIR
1989-KPLA-AM-OAKDALE-BOARD OP
1989-92-KMIX-AM/FM-TURLOCK, CA BOARD OP-P/T ON AIR
1992-94-KATM-FM-MODESTO-ON AIR P/T
1994-1996-KNAX-FM-FRESNO-NIGHTS ON AIR
1996-1998-KJUG-AM/FM-VISALIA-NIGHTS ON AIR
1998-1999-KFRY-FM-MODESTO-NIGHTS ON AIR
1999-2000-KATM-FM MODESTO-NIGHTS-ON AIR
2000-2002-KJUG-AM/FM-VISALIA-NIGHTS
2002-2013-KCRZ-VISALIA-MORNINGS-PROGRAMMING
2013-2017-KCRZ/KIOO-VISALIA-PROGRAMMING (KCRZ-MORNINGS-ON AIR)
2000-2011-KCRZ/KVMI-VISALIA-PROGRAMMING (KCRZ-MIDDAYS ON AIR)
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
Hell! And it was for a Christian station! I worked there for a few weeks (Christian talk). It was a 50,000 watt AM in Oakdale, Ca. I had to warm up the 50k, then when it was time to turn up the transmitter you had to open a couple of the transmitter doors, (so you wouldn't ground yourself) and put your hand in between a couple pieces of copper wiring to make the final switch, then close the doors and kick in the 50k.This was at 5a. I lasted about 2 weeks after that, I knew I would walk in half asleep one day and roast myself, it wouldn't have been a very pretty sight. Otherwise it was great first place to work. I scored my first music station gig right before I gave my two weeks at KMIX 98.3 in Turlock, Ca. (Thanks Bill Macky)
2. What led you to a career in radio?
I always wanted to be on the radio. I heard DR. DON ROSE on KFRC in San Francisco, and heard how much fun he was having! I wanted to do that! And WKRP in Cincinnati, DR.JOHNNY FEVER!! I wanted to be that guy! I ended up being Andy Travis!
3. You've been at the station since 2002, programming it since 2011. Congrats on the ongoing run, and to what do you attribute your longevity?
Being able to do whatever, whenever, not have an attitude about it, and just roll with the punches. I am out in the trenches. I wouldn't make you do anything that I haven't done one, two or twenty times. Plus, we have a great team here. Mike Pesto and Mike O Neil, Chad Stafford do a TON for me every day! I would be here till midnight if it weren't for those 3.
4. You still get to rock the mic every day on your midday show. What does that part of your day mean to you?
It's the best part of the day! I would go crazy if I couldn't still be on the air in some capacity. Otherwise, I would have to have a therapist on retainer and who can afford that!?!?! I love to give away the big prizes and still do local radio, it's just so much fun and I wouldn't trade it for the world, the good has always far out-weighed the bad! And we are all about local, local, local!
5. What's your all-time favorite backstage memory?
Sooo many !! There was the time with Kenny Chesney. No, I can't talk about that…or the Tanya Tucker incident…no can't talk about that one. Maybe when we got on the bus with Lorrie Morgan in Frenso - that was innocent, she made pasta for us, and that was nice and she put on a great show. It was really cool seeing Shawn Mendes backstage, you can really tell he loves what he does. Katy Perry loves her fans and seems very relaxed around them. Alice Cooper was the best guy, he just wanted to talk and talk. Don't look Travis Tritt in the eyes, cause he wants it be a surprise when you meet him. On the other hand it was an honor to meet the legend Ronnie Milsap…even though he didn't see me, I saw him!
6. "Local local local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
We try to be at as many places as possible especially this time of year. Christmas parades, yes, we still walk in them. If there is a local play that is going at a school we talk about it and attend it, take pics and post on social media. We talk about local events still almost every hour. And personality! Bring that crazy personality of yours to the table every day! Mention local streets, organizations, and business. Anything we can do be local we do.
7. How do we become more attractive to the potential Gen Z audience?
We live in their world now. It's all TikTok, Instagram and the rest of social media. That's how a lot of music is discovered these days. We have to be on these platforms as a station and as a personalities we have to be where they are, or we don't exist. We have to be on demand, we have to have a podcast, and we have to live off the air in real live as well as on the air.be real and talk to them. They are smart, they see right through fake.
8. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
KFRC/San Francisco--Dr. Don Rose and Dave "The Duke" Sholin
KHOP/Modesto--Rob Sherwood, Gary Demaroey and Johnny Milford
KOSO/Modesto--Kenny Roberts, Greg Edwards, Dave Luna
KWIN/Stockton--Dave Holmes, Johnny Milford, John Willyard
WKRP/Cincinnati--Johnny Fever, Les Nessman, HerbTarlek, Venus Flytrap, Andy Travis9. Who were your mentors?
Many! I get so much from everyone i have and had worked with. All of the air talent above, and consultants more recently, Mike McVay, John Lund, Harv Blain…great progarmmers who know their stuff. You never stop learning.
10. Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
Good question—for sure, my parents. They never said 'don't do it.' They just said if it's something you want to do, go full steam, and I did. My dad especially. I have a stack of refusal letters, I call 'love letters' that I keep to this day to remind me how hard and how long I worked to get to where I am. It didn't happen overnight, so thanks mom and dad for never telling me to get a 'real' job.
Bonus Questions
Who would be a "dream guest" to have on your show?
Just one? Katy Perry. I would love to have her as co-host for a week. She's a crazy personality and she would be fun to bounce off of. Very quick witted.
With the venue of choice at your disposal and an unlimited budget, which 6 acts would you pull together to throw a massive listener concert?
Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Post Malone, The Weeknd, Harry Styles, and David Guetta & Bebe Rexha to open.
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