10 Questions with ... Ponch

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• KJYO/Oklahoma City '91-'97 (Nights)

  My first gig. A lot of really great and talented people came from KJYO. I still have a deep love for those call letters.

• KMGZ/Lawton-Ft. Sill, Oklahoma '97-'98 (Mornings)

  This was my first morning gig. First time living in a military town. That experience gave me true appreciation for our military men and women. Not an easy life!

• WYOY-WJKK Jackson, MS '98-'99 (Mornings)

  Another heritage Top 40 that I will always be fond of. I will never forget Jackson because I almost died there! Doing one of those "buried in ice for 60 hours" promotions. The truck housing the block of ice (and me) was left running and carbon monoxide was pouring into my icy tomb ... They broke me out of the ice in the nick of time, handed me a beer and asked if was alright. That's good people right there. Thanks, Nate West and Johnny O!

• KMXV Kansas City 2000-present (Dir./Programming/mornings)

  This has been a dream come true ... The talent that has come through these doors are some of the best in the business.

1) How would you describe your first radio gig?

Blurry and out of control. We were #1 12+ in double-digits. Young staff, fun radio. Great memories ... at least the ones I can remember...

2) What led you to a career in radio?

My band really sucked, so I went to radio. I just wanted to be around the business of music. Radio is where I landed.

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

Business as usual. Heritage stations really thrive here.

4) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?

KMXV is unique because our staff really is like family. That allows us to communicate with each other on a higher, more open level. We are a tight unit. If something needs to be done, it gets done. Why? Because all of us have a passion for this city and these call letters. This is much more than just a place to work. Much more.

5) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?

Who isn't? That should be the question. Do you only have one job ... and if so, how long do you plan to keep it? It is foolish to believe it will ever go back to the way that it used to be. I hope I'm wrong, though...

6) What is your favorite part of the job?

The back rubs I get from the cleaning guy ... gentle, yet firm...

7) What is the most challenging part of the job?

Time managemen t... Very easy to get sidetracked in this day and age of radio. I'm sorry, what was I saying?

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

I have a tattoo of Celine Dion on my left arm.

9) Doing anything cool with your HD channels?

No, but we are launching a 3D channel in the fall...

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

The late '80s and early '90s. NIN, Nirvana, Tori Amos, Pearl Jam, Ice Cube, The Flaming Lips, Tool, etc. We were the generation without a war and without a cause; we hated the mainstream; we went to Lollapalooza; we read Alternative Press magazine -- NEVER Rolling Stone ... we were going to tear this system apart and make something new, with substance ... Then we all grew up and became the MAN. Ironic, don't you think?

What ringtone do you have on your cell?

B.O.B "Magic."