10 Questions with ... Michael Buhrman

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. In January 2014, I added APD duties. In December 2015 I took over as PD at Comedy 103.1

1. What do you love most about the business you're in...Radio?

The music all the way; discovering new music, breaking new music, bringing back a recurrent you haven't heard in a while and hearing somebody say out loud "damn, I haven't heard that in a minute". I love the energy and power of concerts and shows and watching music bring people together from numerous different walks of life. Music is such a powerful tool and to be a part of the process that delivers that to the masses is awesome!

2. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A WWE professional wrestler? Really, I started working at KS when I was 15 years old so there was not much "what do I want to be when I grow up" because I started doing it young. In my early early years, I definitely thought I'd be power bombing people off the top rope trying to become WWE (then WWF) champion.

3. In addition to being APD/MD at KQKS, aren't you the PD at Comedy 103.1? How's the station doing?

That's right. Comedy 1031 is doing great! Have been a part of it since its debut 4 years ago and took it over a year ago and its been doing great! In less than a year, it's gotten to Top 10 in our demos we were aiming for (even more impressive given that its run off a translator) even hitting #1 in our last few months in one of our men demos which was HUGE. We're almost up to 5 million followers on Facebook and 200,000 followers on Instagram. Denver is a great comedy city and we've created a great relationship with the big comedy club out here (Comedy Works) and a lot of the great comedians who come to down and it's been a great time being a part of it.

4. Programming-wise, how is your experience at KQKS helping you as you program Comedy 103.1?

It could have been very easy to just put Comedy into a closet and hit play, but I wanted the same amount of detail and attention put on it that KQKS had. When I was interim PD at KS early last year, I got to experience this awesome level of excitement in getting the best music possible on the air, booking our Summer Jam for the first time on my own, promoting and being involved with shows celebrating the AFC Championship and Super Bowl victories of our Denver Broncos. That was really fulfilling, and I try to keep that energy and excitement going for Comedy, whether its getting the great comedians who are in town every week to the station, or making sure that we are at the top comedy shows, or making sure the content we are playing is the very best and having a product that is both awesome for our listeners, and profitable for our company.

Having had the opportunity to work with such a huge successful brand as KQKS these last 15 years, and especially the last few years prior to me becoming PD where my prior PD, John E Kage really took me under his wing and took every opportunity to make sure I was prepared to run a station when the time was right was extremely beneficial and his knowledge continues to be an invaluable asset to me today.

5. How do you like making an impact and interacting with comedians when they come to Denver?

The interactions with the comedians is definitely the BEST part of the gig. I've yet to meet one comedian who seemed to have a diva complex or too big of a head on their shoulders. One of my favorite comedians is Bob Saget and he was just here a few weeks back and though I've only met him a handful of times, I saw him after his show and he gave me a huge hug hello and I'm like "Danny Freaking Tanner from Full House just gave me hug." We had Anjelah Johnson in town yesterday and she's getting ready to shoot her special next week and many times comics come to Denver to test their show out first so it was great to see something that will be shot and played on networks like Netflix, Hulu, Comedy Network, etc in the near future before they are recorded.

6. Back to KQKS, what's your favorite song on the station right now?

Bruno Mars "That's What I Like" is my ish! He always puts out heat! And not on my station (yet) but Khalid's "Location" is fire (and pretty much anything I've heard by him). One amazing talent. If you love R&B you should definitely be looking up his songs.

7. Los Angeles, Las Vegas or Miami...which is your favorite vacation destination?

While I definitely love to go hit some slots or craps tables in Vegas, it's probably a toss up between LA and Miami. Went to Miami for the first time last year and that place is like a movie...from their beaches to their nightlife to their people. It didn't hurt that when I was there last in December it was -10 degrees in Denver and 80 degrees at 8 am in Miami.

But I'd say the winner is Los Angeles just because I know a lot more people out that way and every time I go there I feel like I never had enough time and it's hard to get back on that plane. But I'm hoping for my next vacation to go international for the first time and go hit up Cabo! I should probably work on getting a passport first.

8. Let's take a look into the crystal ball. Where do you see yourself in five years, professionally?

I'd suspect still in Programming. When I started at KQKS, 15 years ago, I remember many of my coworkers saying I'd have to travel around to advance in my career and while I'd be willing to move anywhere that furthers my career and builds me as a person, I have been very fortunate to be able to stay here in Denver and move up from an intern all the way up to a Program Director. I'm hoping wherever I am in five years I'm happy and still pushing on!

9. Who are some of your peers that you network with?

Any time I get to catch up on the phone with Chad Rufer is a great phone call. Always love getting a chance to catch up with E-Man and Jimmy (Steal) when I'm in LA. I miss years back when I could network with 5-10 MDs/PDs and talk music and how songs were working around the country with stations from different companies but that's really clamped down in some areas. But I always love to reach out when I hear about a programmer I haven't had an opportunity to run into or talk to and say what's up.

10. Social media is to radio as ___________ is to the Michael Buhrman. Could you please fill in the blank?

Hmm...Social Media is to radio as "a car" is to me. Meaning without a car I'll still be able to get where I'm going by walking, or riding a bike or taking a bus...but a car is going to get me there much faster and with better options. Social Media has become not just a tool to radio, but for those doing it correctly it's become a part of the very fabric of the radio station. I love a lot of the stuff I see Mr. Peter Parker do over in Minnesota. I think WE in Portland has a lot of awesome social interaction as well. There's countless amounts of radio talent and stations doing it right and I think it just really helps make your brand stronger and make that connection to your audience stronger as well. And whatever strengths TV had over radio due to their "visual" components is now a moot point because radio can just as easily create our own, often better, interpretation via FB, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.

Who are some of the lesser known comedians out there that you think are a "MUST SEE"?

Maybe not lesser known to those who love comedy, but Jo Koy is awesome, Brad Williams is great, Mal Hall I saw last night and he was hilarious. Out here in Denver we have Stephen Agyei , Janae Burris, Josh Blue, and so many more who are hilarious as well.

If you had to eat one type of meal everyday for a month, what would it be?

Mexican food all the way. Burritos, tacos, enchiladas....I don't care if its carnitas, carne asada, lengua...some caldo de res or menudo or whatever. Plus, we have some great spots out here, so my taste buds stay happy! ?