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10 Questions with ... Mollie Kendrick
July 25, 2023
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started my career with iHeartMedia Northern Colorado in 2013 and was stolen by Townsquare Media across the street a couple of years later. During that time, I knew I wanted to work in a bigger market and had my eye on Minneapolis. Countless networking opportunities led me to join iHeartMedia Minneapolis in 2018, where I hosted nights and mornings on KTCZ/Cities 97.1 and overnights on KDWB. I joined Audacy's KUDL/106.5 The End in March 2020, hosting PM Drive, and most recently, I was elevated to MD after being heavily involved with Audacy's Top 40 programming innovation.
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
I'd describe my first radio gig as foundational, challenging, and exciting. I had joined iHeart (when it was still Clear Channel) as a promotions intern, but I'd already graduated college and did not want to pitch tents for a living. So in my spare time, I'd shadow the AM talk station's morning show producer to learn the ins and outs of programming. I say foundational because I literally crammed five full-time jobs into the limited hours I was given. As busy as I was, this really set me up for success in my career - especially during and post-pandemic. It was the small-town boy's club mentality, however, that I found to be very challenging. Thankfully it hasn't been that way everywhere I've worked.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
Growing up, I'd never realized that radio was even an actual job. (Though it still doesn't feel like one!) But I grew up wanting to work in the music business in some capacity. So after high school, I enrolled at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida, which has an incredible Music Business Bachelor's program. By the time I graduated, I was definitely in the midst of that post-grad crisis of not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. So I moved back home to Fort Collins, Colorado, and figured I'd intern at my hometown radio station while I figured out what to do next. The first time I stepped foot into a radio station, I just knew in my heart that I wanted to explore and pursue radio. I was hooked instantly.
3. You were recently promoted through the ranks internally to MD chair. It's a beautiful thing when something like that happens. What are you most looking forward to as you grow into that role?
I'm most looking forward to reshaping how we look at music on this side of the business. The past two years of my career have been foundational in learning the ins and outs of the role. Some parts of the system feel very antiquated and out of touch. So having a fresh perspective from someone who's in our target demo and knows what listeners are choosing organically is really exciting and beneficial for radio and records collectively.
4. You still do afternoons every weekday. What does it mean to you to still be able to be on the r-a-d-i-o?
This is the coolest job in the world, and we're supporting our communities in ways we don't realize. Unless it's for a really great prize, people are literally tuning in to de-stress and connect with others in a way they know will make them feel good. I love being able to be part of that.
5. When you were in Minneapolis, there was an actual "Mollie Kendrick Day." How did that come together, and what was it like for you?
My morning show partners, Hunter Quinn and Brent Barkey, remembered me saying that I had a crush on Jacob Frey, the Mayor of Minneapolis. So they came up with this plan to get the mayor into the studio for a surprise birthday bit. The mayor was, truthfully, my gift…unbeknownst to him. But in the process of all of that, they worked with the mayor's office to create 'Mollie Kendrick Day' with a proclamation that stated the kindest words ever about me. It was one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me. Definitely a core memory in my career and personal life.
6. How can the format make sure that potential Gen Z and Gen Alpha listeners are being properly served?
Gen Z and Gen Alpha are the tastemakers of what the target demo will eventually pick up on. Veteran programmers don't necessarily need to understand Gen Z and Gen Alpha, but they should embrace collaboration with the up-and-coming programmers that do understand them - just as those up-and-coming programmers are learning from the veteran programmers. No one knows everything, and that's okay! Collaboration, active listening, and keeping an open mind are really the start of making sure our younger audiences are properly served.
7. What's your all-time favorite backstage memory?
My friend screaming, "YOU B****! WE'RE GOING UP THERE!" after I'd told the security guard that I didn't want to dance on stage with FloRida. (We danced on stage with FloRida.)
8. If you could take a spin in the custom 'All Access Back To The Future Delorean,' which legendary station from the past would you like to work at for a week?
Oh boy…My friend Mike Danger will not love that I'm saying this, but I'd go back to the early 90s and work at KCLD in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. Everyone he worked with at KCLD went on to do amazing things in their career (including Mike, of course!!!), and I'd just love to be a fly on the wall for all of it. Plus, my family has a lakefront cabin not too far from Saint Cloud that I'm homesick for. Radio and lake life is a great combination.
9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
Growing up, I listened religiously to KSME/96.1 KISS FM in Fort Collins, Colorado, while I got ready for school. I ADORED the Chris Kelly Show and Ryan Kramer. As I got older, I would listen to KTCL because it was the cool Denver station to listen to in Fort Collins. As an adult kid, I discovered Dave Ryan and really credited so much of the knowledge I picked up on to Dave - really just as a listener. My on-air sound really comes from him.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
I've had many incredible mentors throughout my career, and I cherish what I learned from each of them. I consider Mike Danger, Ryan Kramer, and Chris Kelly to all be mentors of mine. Although I didn't work with Dave Ryan much in Minneapolis, he had so much influence on my career for sure. I'd listen to his show WHILE I was running the board for an AM news talk station in my first gig so that I could learn how a GREAT morning show sounded. Rich Davis has also had a big influence on my career. What I love about Rich is that he gives chances to talent that are hungry and truly want the opportunity. No one else would take a chance on a small market girl, but he saw something in me and gave me that chance. I'm so grateful for that.
Bonus Questions
With the venue of your choice available and an unlimited budget, which 6 artists would you pull together for a listener concert event?
Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Harry Styles at Red Rocks.
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