10 Questions with ... Rob Morris

NAME:Rob Morris TITLE:OM STATION:KDWB and KTLK MARKET:Minneapolis-St. Paul OWNER:Clear Channel

Please outline your radio career so far:

WVKO & WSNY/Columbus, OH; WJMO/Cleveland; WWHT & WAKS/Columbus; WNCI/Columbus; KDWB & KTLK/Minneapolis-St. Paul.

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

Board operator/on-air announcer for WVKO-AM/Columbus. I started out running the board for the Walt Love countdown show. Harry Lyles and KC Jones hired me.

2) What led you to a career in radio?

I grew with a radio station in my neighborhood [WVKO & WSNY]. Maybe it was because the RF came through everything in our house, because their towers were so close? LOL.

3) How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?

Very competitive. The floor in the funhouse never stops.

4) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?

I used to be an athletic trainer for both Ohio State University and the New York Jets.

5) Could you give us a little insight into your on-air staff?

Led by Dave Ryan, who has been here for 14 years, they all get who they are speaking to, which is women 18-34. Lucas, Scotty Davis, Wazz, Steve O and Special Ed all live the lifestyle and understand the Twin Cities.

6) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

I actually used to listen to a station in the early '80s out of Cincinnati that was programmed by Harry Lyles called "103.5 WBLZ." It was a Churban. I lived in Columbus, OH, which was 85 miles away, but on a good day I could sometimes hear the station loud and clear because its stick was in Hamilton, OH (just north of Cincinnati).

7) Looking back, which years hold the best musical memories for you and who were your favorite acts at that time?

I loved all the Earth, Wind & Fire stuff ... Prince, Morris Day, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis stuff.

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

Change is constant. Be ready to adapt.

9) What is the current state of the radio 'talent pool'?

There is no doubt that it is not what it once was. However, that's not to say that there are not talented people out there who still want to be in this business, some with many different skill sets that can be applied in many different ways both on and off the air.

10) What advice you would give people new to the business?

Ask lots and lots of questions. Don't assume. Things change.

BONUS: Which character on a current TV series most reflects your personality?

I wouldn't say this, but my morning show calls me "Cartman" from South Park. Funny. Real funny.