10 Questions with ... JD Garfield

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

WIAI (Country) Danville, IL. - Intern to Overnight to Nights to Mid-Days to Afternoons to Mornings 96-00
WEBX (Rock) WBNB (Country) Champaign, Il. - Night jock and Imaging for WEBX (Rock), Afternoons/Music Director for WBNB (Country) 00-01
WKTT (Country) Sheboygan, WI. - PD and Afternoon Drive 01-03
WRPW/WZPW (R/Chr Simulcast) Bloomington/Peroria Il. - Nights to Afternoons. Imaging and later PD when the simulcast was split in a company sale. 03-07
WJQM (Rhy) Madison, WI. - Afternoon Drive and PD 07-13
KOSP (Rhy) KQRA (Rock) Springfield, Mo. - Operations Manager and Mid-Days for KOSP 13-15
KWYD (Rhy) Boise, ID. - Mornings to Mid-Days and Program Director 15-17
WDJX (T40) Louisville, KY. - Afternoons and Program Director 17-19
KWYD (Rhy) Boise, ID. - Program Director 19 - Present

1. What got you into radio?

I've been fascinated with radio since I can remember hearing Pink Floyd's "The Wall" on WDNL, D-102 while sitting in the back of my mom's Camaro when I was (age omitted). But, I tried entering the military when I came of age. Some physical limitations ended those hopes. So a friend of mine said to me "dude, you're funny and you have a good voice. You should work at the radio station. I know someone who works there. Her name is Jude and she needs an intern." I went down there, filled out an app, started a couple weeks later and that alphabet soup of call letters you read above has been the result.

2. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?

Legit...wanted to join the Navy, become a SEAL. Then later join the CIA and be a spook. #JasonBourne

3. What was the biggest change in your return to Boise?

We were gone for two years and you would have thought we were gone for a decade. An enormous influx of people from all over the Pacific Northwest has resulted in an economic boom. Construction is everywhere and home prices are ridiculous. My house has increased in value over $40k in 6 months and we've done nothing to improve its value. It is NUTS here right now.

4. During the pandemic I learned to ____________.

I've started to learn Python coding. Yeah, I nerded out real hard.

5. Learn anything new about yourself as manager during the pandemic?

To never underestimate the importance of checking in on your team. Communication and leadership are key, but empathy is probably most important. You'd be surprised how hard being detached from the work-place has been for some people. This is something I will never take for granted again. Thanks to Ben Davis for introducing me to the likes of Simon Sinek.

6. I've noticed you becoming "Johnny HGTV" during the pandemic. Project you're most proud of?

HA! YouTube and Google have been my most reliable teachers along with some guidance from my brother and father-in-law. I'd say I'm most proud of my most recent project which was the removal of the most useless and ugly eyesore of a "closet space" ever that was literally screwed to the wall in our laundry room. I have pics of it on my Facebook. Soooo ugly. I'm not sure what the previous owners were thinking. Next up, LANDSCAPING!

7. What from the pandemic would you like to see continue post-pandemic?

Two things. First and foremost, I want to continue to see a concerted effort for people to support local businesses. My parents owned their own business when I was a kid so I know first-hand how important a community is to business owners. Second, keep washin' your hands, folks.

8. Your dream non-radio gig?

Cinematographer or Music Supervisor for movies and television shows.

9. Hypothetical...You're 17 and leaving to spend a year abroad as an exchange student. Where would you want to go and is it different now than at 17?

Same now as it was then. Somewhere in Scandinavia. Denmark, Finland, Sweden...someplace like that. Probably Denmark if I had to pick just one. I hear they're the happiest people on Earth!

10. If you could be on any TV reality show or game show, which would you want to be on?

Give me Jeopardy! for $1000, Pete! I think I'd do ok in the Jeopardy and Double Jeopardy rounds. But then I'd risk it all in Final Jeopardy and come home penniless.

Who on your staff might, inadvertently, start a bar fight during a brainstorming session at a local gastro pub?

I'd like to think I have a staff full of level-headed thinkers who would use that opportunity to defuse the situation, myself included.

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

Gotta roll with Italian on this one, boss. Although, I'm trying Basque food this week so my answer may be different next week.