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10 Questions with ... Human Numan
July 3, 2007
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NAME:Human NumanTITLE:On-Air Host/PMSTATION:Sirius Hits 1 / Sirius 7-Totally 70's / Sirius 31-Radio MargaritavilleMARKET:North AmericaOWNER:SIRIUS Satellite Radio
Please outline your radio career so far:
All were CHRs ... WHTZ/NY, KIIS/LA, KZQZ/San Fran, WZOU/Boston, WIOQ/Philly, KKBQ/Houston, Y100 and 96X/Miami, KDWB/Minneapolis, WRBQ/Tampa, WAPE/Jacksonville, and a few others.
1) Do you miss doing remotes, dealing with salespeople, or anything else about terrestrial radio?
The salespeople are a component of radio that I do miss. The teeth-whitened fake smile when they need a favor, or handing you a stack of production orders at 5 o'clock on a Friday night that all start tomorrow, which is July 4th. Their amnesia after the remote regarding your appearance check. The total and immediate abandonment when you're fired. Yeah. I miss that. (lol)
2) How would you describe your first radio gig?
Turntables, with massive tone arms. Cueing 45s. Gates board with one VU meter (AM mono). I.T. cart machines. Two teletype machines clacking away in the next room. The smell of 30 year old electronics. A manual typewriter where I wrote my own local news by calling the police station, fire department, and highway patrol. "WBVP calling. Anything to report? Let's just see what we have... uh...(going through the call report)... 2 car accidents. I got a burglary at 1289 3rd Street...jewelry, a TV, some cash..." They locked up the music library so I wouldn't "flip the format," and left me a stack of about 70 or so 45s to pick through. It was Top 40/Middle of the Road. We were in the basement of a bank. The overnight 7-Eleven guy down the street heard a young wacky D.J. trying to find his way.
3) What led you to a career in radio?
I grew up in Pittsburgh and heard some great '70s radio. One day a neighborhood kid mentioned that he listened to Chicago radio at night. I said, "What? How?!!" He explained that at night, like magic...the stations drifted in on AM radio. That summer night, I walked out on the road in front of my house...and wow! I heard Wolfman Jack somewhere. (WNBC?)...and eventually I found WCFL!...Superjock Larrrry Lujack. (Now, who would not want to be HIM??) You cool mother fffr! That expanded to local radio: 13Q... Mark Driscoll and Yo' Leeedah Jack Armstrong. Dialing around at night I heard Cousin Brucie, Dan Ingram and Ron Lundy at various times, John Records Landecker, Big Ron O'Brien, John Driscoll, Tim Kelly, Spiderman Harrison. They all led me down the path of sin.
4) What is your favorite part of the job?
I love creativity. Thanks to Kid Kelly who gives me that space to get creative. Programming and on-air. This is the honest truth, there are few, if no boundaries on SIRIUS satellite radio. You have a lot of freedom to put on your best game. It's rejuvenating.
5) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
The statute of limitations is up on this...Once, long ago, I flew a private plane with no experience for over 20 minutes, while the pilot and his girlfriend joined the mile-high club in the back. (::nodding::) I can fly a plane.
6) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
Well, that's a tie. Howard. I listen to him, because he's honest and intelligent and is one of the few radio people who has made me laugh hysterically. He's brilliant! He knows how to get into his guest's head and gets them to open up. This requires a mastermind of psychology. To get someone to bare themselves to the point of root honesty. I also idolize Rick Dees, because on a completely different platform, he is also a great communicator and entertainer. Full of humor and talent, and somewhere early on in my career I heard him and it was done, I wanted to be just like him. These two guys, they are my heroes. Did I mention Phil Hendrie? lol. OK, OK - I'll stop, that's three...
7) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
1000 AM - WCFL, "Super 'CFL" Chicago.
8) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
I'm not absorbed in anything particular, there are collections. I've got a couple of jukeboxes, high end photography gear, old radios and microphones, tiki stuff...cocktail drink recipe books...I would love to have a second life as a bottle flipping bartender. I love watching cop reality shows.
9) What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
I have tried on more than one occasion to leave this business. But just when I thought I was out...they pulled me back in!!! There may be ups and downs but...I do love it. I met the late Don Cox who came out of the control room for a cigarette break the day I toured 13Q in Pittsburgh. I told him I wanted to be in radio. He said "No you don't kid. Do yourself a favor and kill that idea right now." I made up my mind right then to get into radio. I thought: 'if he's willing to go that far and lie to a kid and conceal how great it is...I'm in!!!'
10) What advice would you give people who are new to the business?
Give it time. It works quickly for some people and others like myself...it just took perseverance. Don't give up on your big dream if it doesn't come right away. Make up your mind early on what your goal is, not a short term goal, but the one that will really make you fulfilled. Make that your goal. Think beyond getting there.
Bonus Questions
BONUS: What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I'll give you one guess!
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