Top 40 RhythmicBest 10Qs of 2021 |
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Best of 10 Questions... Top 40 Rhythmic
December 14, 2021
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As part of our year-end special coverage, we look back at 2021 with the best answers to some of our best questions.
Eric Rosado
PD
KUBE/Seattle
The highlight of Eric's Covid-19 pandemic?
"It’s all about pivoting, adapting, facing adversity but I’m not sure there are many highlights; let’s see doing Afternoon Drive from my kitchen and being able to get a quick snack in during stopsets! I never ever thought I’d be saying that all of that."
Bill Baker
PD/mornings
WZEB (Power 101.7)/Salisbury-Ocean City
If you left radio today, what would you want your peers to remember about working with you and competing against you?
"I want them to remember how long our show has lasted and the reason for it. So many come and go but they just don't "get it". Egos get in the way and ruin careers. You have to 'get it'."
DJ Buck
PD
WZMX (Hot 93.7)/Hartford
Doing more takeout or cooking during the pandemic?
"I fired up my air fryer and nothing is safe anymore. You name it and it goes in the air fryer. When the weather was good, I was in the back on the Big Green Egg. I would say cooking at home after work and takeout during the day."
Ernie Martinez
PD Mgr.
Then KTFM HD2 (We 103.3)/San Antonio
What got you into radio?
"I was an intern in my early college years and did an internship at a local station in Dallas. Our production director at the time was out sick and I had to produce a client spot, and since I hung around the station all of the time, I knew how to work our new digital editing system. An hour later gave the AE the spot (which the client loved, of course). That process of creating something from start to finish hooked me! The creative hooked me."
Pio Ferro
SVP/Content & Operations
WQHT (Hot 97)/New York
What has managing a team through the Covid-19 pandemic taught you, or emphasized to you, about leadership?
"The value of a great team and how important it is to make sure I am always available to create, problem solve, and sometimes just listen. Surrounding yourself with the right people takes a whole new meaning when you don’t see each other day to day."
Jenny Boom Boom
Afternoons
WZMX (Hot 93.7)/Hartford
If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?
"I would probably work for a non-profit to help children in some way."
Eliseo "Short-E" Cierra
PD/afternoons
WBTT (105.5 The Beat)/Ft. Myers
What was the biggest change in the move from California to Florida?
"The amount of UV protection I needed and how to understand Spanish with people that speak it at a faster pace."
Evelyn Erives
Co-Host
KGGI/Riverside-San Bernadino Morning
Biggest personal lesson learned from Covid-19 pandemic?
"I don't have to be moving a mile a minute to be happy. My kids and husband were constantly moving in 5 different directions with all the activities we are involved with. It was fun but exhausting! We were rarely home on weekends and now we are raising chickens, ducks, cats and a dog like little farmers and LOVE IT. Who am I even?"
JD Garfield
PD
Then KWYD (Wild 101)/Boise
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."
JoJo Lopez
PD/morning
KWWV (Wild 106.1)/San Luis
Catfight between Ke$ha and Britney…who wins?
Depends. Does Britney have an umbrella? Does Ke$ha have a bottle of jack? Topless? In that scenario, we ALL win!
Chi
APD/MD
KOPW (Power 106.9)/Omaha
You've recently added APD duties at Power. You're the MD at Power and you so afternoons at sister station Sweet 98.1. What's key to your time management?
"I’m built on taking practical action and someone who thrives with TO DO lists. The thought of wasting time scares me. Procrastination isn’t something I know. I think my hidden talent is knowing how to prioritize tasks."
Jessica Martinez
APD/morning co-host
WZEB (Power 101.7)/Salisbury-Ocean
What would surprise people about living and working in Ocean City?
"This is considered a "resort town". I'm blessed to live and work where people come to vacation! I'm living the dream. We have some great beaches, boardwalks, restaurants, casino's and seafood! Even though I live here. I act and do things like I'm a tourist! LOL! I'm always ready for a hotel stay and always adventuring!"
Mady Tapia
Promotions Director
KGGI/Riverside-San Bernadino
What has been the biggest change in your job during the pandemic?
"As a station, we were always super active in the community, so going from being super “up close” with our listeners to having to do everything via Zoom was a huge adjustment for us."
Gina Lee Fuentez
Mornings
KKSS (Kiss 93.7)/Albuquerque
Who are your heroes?
"My family are my heroes. They are in the medical field. When the pandemic hit they were the first ones on the frontlines to respond, and continue to fight to save lives from Covid-19."
Crisco Kidd
Afternoons
KKFR (Power 98.3)/Phoenix
What did the experience of the (Phoenix) mayoral campaign mean to you?
"My goal was to inspire at least ONE person to get involved at the local level, let people know that someone was willing to sacrifice their job to fight for them and show that if you really want to change things. We all have to do things we never thought we could do. And, for me, after reading countless messages and posts from hundreds of people, I won. WE WON."
Jonathan Steele
APD/afternoons
WMGC (105.1 The Bounce)/Detroit
What has the pandemic shown you about yourself?
"Life is too short to be unhappy. Why settle for something that isn't for you? I posted this Facebook status the other day. "It's okay to be selfish!" I've always been told that I've spent my life trying to make other people happy and it's exhausting. I've come to terms with the fact that if I lose friends or family because of doing what's best for me, that's okay. As a kid, my pastor always said, "People are only in your life for seasons." True!"
Pablo Sato
Afternoons/Imaging
KSSX (Jamn 95-7)/San
You have been in San Diego for a while now. What's your favorite thing about living/working in America's Finest City?
"The cool ocean breeze, food and non-stop flights to Hawaii and Vegas. Working here is awesome. I've got a GREAT G.M. My S/SV/PDs and APDs trust and believe in my creativity. Being a talent, that's what you can hope and dream for, right?"
Hayley Smith-Rose
APD/afternoons
Hot Radio Maine (WHTP)/Portland
Professionally, what was the biggest adjustment to your work during the pandemic?
"I would say the biggest adjustment was staying positive on air, even while we're going through a not so positive time. Some days more than others, it really took a lot to try to put a bright side on things & give people hope on air. I think our whole squad did a great job of doing this despite everything going on."
DJ Automatic
Executive Producer, Mixer and official DJ for the Phoenix Suns
Dana Cortez Show
You're an experienced mixer both in clubs and on the radio. Any sage advice for youngsters trying to lock down work?
"Practice! Get those basic mixing skills down. Learn how to mix and talk on the mic at the same time and network, network, network a lot of this game comes down to who you know. No matter what, you have to be ready and without a ton of practice you won't be able to take advantage of those situations when they present themselves. So PRACTICE! I still do it every day."
Jessica "Mo" Hiromoto
National Sr. Dir./Rhythm Promotion
Atlantic Records
What did the pandemic bring that you’d like to see continue as we pull out of lockdown, etc?
"Keeping consistent with working out, journaling, and meditation. Being on the road can be an easy excuse to not take care of yourself physically and mentally, but my goal is to always make that a top priority no matter what."
Bre Ruiz
Morning Host
KHTP (Hot 103.7)/Seattle
Do you network with other female morning show leads?
"I do. Since the pandemic more so than ever! Although radio took a huge hit, I feel our community is closer than ever and people from all over are connecting."
Jesus "Oh Jezuz" Soto
Nights
KKFR (Power 98.3)/Phoenix
What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
"Coming from a Hispanic household my dad wanted me to be a lawyer or doctor, But I wanted to be a rapper."
RJ "Squintz" Buendia
MD/nights
KSFM/Sacramento
What has you learned about yourself during the Covid-19 pandemic?
I have been reminded that I can enjoy any situation. I am used to being around a lot of people and doing a lot of things, but the simple things are just as enjoyable. It is what you make of it.
Mean Jean Fremont
PD/MD
WKHT (Hot 104.5)/Knoxville
You can cook. During the pandemic did you discover or perfect a new recipe or dish?
"I’m always perfecting new dishes. My video section on Facebook always suggests new recipes and I save them to make later."
Cam "That Dude" Loggins
Nights
WTMG (Magic 101.3)/Gainesville
What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
"Besides a Power Ranger (I still hold out hope), exactly this. I love radio."
Daniel "Mambo" Herrejon
PD/MD/mornings
KCAQ (Q95.9)/Oxnard-Ventura
You've taken on more programming responsibilities with the company and with KCAQ. Do you ever miss the days of focusing solely on the morning show?
"I think I’ve always wanted to be involved more in all parts of radio. Ever since I got into radio, I always showed interest in other departments. I like being involved in creating and executing ideas."
Randy Fox
PD
KKSS (Kiss 93.7)/Albuquerque
The Voice, American Idol or America's Got Talent?
UGH! It used to be American Idol, then I got hooked on AGT. Now I just kind of drift around on Tik Tok for hours on end.
Big Stress
Nights/mixer
WWKX (Hot 106)/Providence
You are a Rhode Island native. What's it like being on-air at 'home'?
"Being fortunate to be on air, clubs and a part of the community has been special throughout 25 years at "home". It's crazy when I meet new listeners or partygoers who tell me, "my parents always tell me about you”. Now I get it! "
Matt Hirt
Exec. Producer/Co-Host
Tino Cochino Radio
How did you occupy your time during the great Facebook/Instagram Outage of 2021?
"I re-activated my MySpace account and updated my top 8."
Orlando Davis
Host
WLLD (WiLD 94.1)/Tampa PD/Freakshow
What are you thankful for?
"I’m most thankful for one of the trainers, at my gym! Not for her expertise butt she has an exquisitely beautiful future, behind her, and is poetry in motion. The day she said, “Hi Orlando!”, I damn near fell off the treadmill. Maybe I should’ve just said I’m thankful for my eyesight! SMH"
Anthony Garcia
Afternoons
KKSS (Kiss 93.7)/Albuquerque
If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?
Probably working with a church, marketing, or working in the airlines so I can travel the world.
Ashlee
Morning Host
WJMN (Jam'n 94.5)/Boston
If you had to eat one type of meal every day for a month, what would it be?
"Give me all the bread, all of it. It's a no-brainer...Italian for me. Living in Boston and having the North End this close is both a blessing and a curse. Pizza, cheese, bread, cheese and more bread. If you aren't eating carbs, are you really even living?"
Bill Schulz
PD
Reno Media Group OM and KLCA HD-2 (Swag 104 9)
Through the pandemic, what do you think you learned about yourself?
"How versatile you have to be in this industry to survive, unless you are Stern, Seacrest, or other top name talent. You better know how to do it all and have the desire to do it. All companies are in the same shape, no matter the market. Budgets are getting tighter, and your support staff is shrinking. It's not always better in a bigger market. NYC/LA face the same challenges as Reno, Fargo, and Atlantic City."
Ashley Dingess
National Dir./Promotion
Capitol Records
What are you thankful for?
"I'm thankful for my dog, my thick head of hair and my dance moves."
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