-
10 Questions with ... Michael "BuhrmGotti" Buhrman
March 13, 2012
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started as a weekender at KS1075 in 2001. I moved to Over nights in 2004, named Assistant MD in 2008, Programming Assistant in 2009 and promoted to MD in 2011.
1. You started as an intern at KQKS and now you're the Music Director? Did you ever think about pursuing something else professionally?
I have been very fortunate over the past 10 years to have worked at such a great station as KS and such a great market as Denver and have been equally as fortunate that in that time frame I've been able to continue to grow from just being an on air personality to becoming AMD, and then Programming Assistant and then MD, and so its almost like starting fresh with new responsibilities and never gets old. I've always been fascinated with the record label side of things and other areas of the music world but really radio is in my blood and it's what I love pursuing every day I wake up.
2. What has been the biggest change in the move up to MD?
I was AMD previously for several years so luckily it was a gradual transition and I was taking care of many of the responsibilities already, but really it's just getting the music right. With Kage (my PD) I know how much time and precision he scheduled music logs and when I finish one, my goal is for him to look at it and not see anything he would change. Another big change is just being more vocal with my feelings on records. If you feel something in your gut is right, and you think a record is a smash, you have to speak up and not worry "oh it may stiff" you have to trust your instincts and I've been growing more and more comfortable with that over the years and fortunately it's worked out great.
3. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I started interning at KS when I was 15 because the night jock at the time (Kobe) told me to come in after just being a listener since KS started. I never in a million years had even considered radio, and I think at that time I didn't even know what I wanted to do. I think Professional Wrestler had popped up every so often in my mind. But I got in early and it has literally been a right place right time kind of thing and I've been loving it ever since!
4. I love your food photos on Facebook. What does food mean to you?
Haha, it means.. life! Yeah I would randomly post food pics as I'd eat with our midday guy Tony V or our afternoon drive guy, DJ Chonz and would notice I would get a lot of comments and "likes" and figured I would just make a "Digested Album" and for the past two years it has been online proof that I have no ability to cook at home! But I do throw down on some Top Ramen!
5. What would you like to add more of to make Denver a better place?
Denver is so great that is a hard question to answer... every time someone moves here they never leave...and every time someone leaves here for a "better" place I guarantee them they'll be back within six months and I am usually right. We have every major sport here (Go Broncos!), we have a great downtown scene, we have great cultural events, the mountains (although I will NEVER get on the slopes (big guys and steep icy hills don't go good together) and the list goes on and on. I would maybe add some In & Out Burger and it sounds like that may be happening so I'm excited for that.
6. What's your favorite song on the station right now?
I have 2 of them...B.o.B "So Good" is definitely one of my favorites. I heard Kage playing that in the office a few weeks back and was instantly one of my favorites. Then Kid Ink "Time of your Life" is great... Lee L'Heureux at Warner Bros. had mentioned that he heard it on KPWR's New at 2 and I looked for it and was instantly impressed. We had him out here last Friday for a show and with just one single we had a great turn out so that is one artist I think you'll be hearing a lot about in 2012.
7. Besides www.allaccess.com, what's probably the web site you visit most?
NewMusicServer.com and BreakTheCrates.com are probably tied. I'm ALWAYS trying to find the next hit so I'll hit refresh on those like 10x a day seeing if anything new comes up.
8. For some reason, you get into a bar fight. Who on the staff would be first up to cover your back?
Man, I hope all of them would step in. We'd have a Royal Rumble in the bar, dang it! But DJ Chonz and Tony V are not just my coworkers but I consider them family and I know I'd have their back and pretty sure they'd at least hand me a bottle or something to win.
9. You're spending a couple days in Los Angeles soon. Would you like some restaurant/dining targets emailed to you? I've got a couple for you and I'm sure L.A. foodies would love to suggest some stops.
Oh man, the one thing I've been doing nonstop is looking up food places! No question at all I am going to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. Chicken is my vice! Brian Gray at Interscope said I have to hit up Umami Burger at some point so that will be happening. I have been hitting the gym hard the past few weeks just so I don't feel bad when I come back 15 pounds heavier.
10. When you land at LAX, you run into Kate Upton and the two of you hit it off. Do you drop previous Los Angeles plans to hang with Kate or blow her off to meet Jimmy Steal and E-Man? (personally...I think they'd understand completely.)
Can't I just take her with me? I'm a radio geek though, to hear legendary stations like KPWR and KIIS live and in the city is something I am looking forward to. And I've always wanted to meet Jimmy, E-Man, Felli Fell, John Ivey and Julie Pilat. There's a lot of great programmers and talent in Los Angeles.
Bonus Questions
Hypothetical question...If you were getting married in two months and you could have any group or singer perform at your reception, who would you choose?
I was jamming out to the Silk "Love Sessions" CD the other day. If I was looking to keep it smooth and sexy maybe Silk. But I like to keep things upbeat and fun so I'd want David Guetta to DJ the wedding and maybe Rihanna host it for me just so I could have one last chance to see if I could holla.
-
-