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10 Questions with ... Hector "DJ CO1" Minjarez
February 1, 2022
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. First advice that you'd give to someone relocating to Las Vegas?
If you are relocating to Vegas, be ready to network! Oh, and yes, get ready to enjoy the blazing hot summers.-
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
My first stab at radio started in 2004 as a weekend mixer at KWNZ/Reno with DJ Pressure and Eddie Go. I then followed Eddie Go to KAGM/Albuquerque and spent about 3 years as the night show and afternoon mixer. I ended up moving to Vegas and in 2008 I was hired at KLUC (CBS Radio) by Cat Thomas and JB King as a weekend mixer. In 2010, I was promoted to Mixshow Coordinator and started to venture into the programming side of radio with JB King. Along with Mixshow Coordinator duties, Cat Thomas and JB allowed me the opportunity to start co-programming one of CBS Radio's HD-2 channels (JAMZ - Urban/Hip Hop). I took the step into developing as an on-air personality and ended up as part of the regular on-air jock schedule for KLUC. In 2015, Q 100.5 (KXQQ, sister station to KLUC) launched and I was part of the team to make it happen. A few years later, JB King promoted me to KXQQ APD/MD which also led to APD at KLUC. You can now catch me on air daily, Mon-Fri on KXQQ and on weekends at KLUC. On a side note, I was the DJ for the nationally syndicated Zach Sang Show (Westwood One) from 2015 to 2022. Another amazing opportunity and a big part of my career.
1. What got you into radio?
Originally from Southern California, I was completely influenced by KPWR. I used to listen to the Baka Boyz, Richard Vission, and E-Man religiously. I pretty much never missed a Baka Boyz show. I was motivated to get turntables, buy vinyl, and honestly wanted to mimic the party vibe that Nick and Eric presented on air. Luckily, DJ Pressure and I connected and ever since he got my foot in the door at KWNZ, the rest was history.
2. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
I always wanted to either be a math teacher or a police Officer.
3. What's the biggest way that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected you living and working in Las Vegas?
Covid-19 has impacted people in various ways, but personally I think the key to pandemic year was how you as a person reacted to the situation at hand. Covid took a toll on me, it made me very sick for about 3+ months, I developed pneumonia, it made me unhealthy, but I recovered from it, and after recovering from Covid, I became very proactive! I didn't let the pandemic year bring me down. As a DJ, I obviously had no gigs, my income as an entrepreneur basically disappeared, but as a radio personality, I was able to use my platform to help the community. At KXQQ, we helped push small business, helped spread positivity, and it allowed me to connect with the community even more. I took the pandemic year to organize my music, to develop into a smarter radio programmer and learned how to create imaging for the radio stations. When things started to open back up, I started to pick up gigs on a weekly basis, I was able to lock in quite a few DJ residencies in town and even got back into being the DJ at sporting events.
4. Who are/were some of your radio mentors?
I will always give kudos to Eddie Go because he was the first PD to guide me and introduce me to mixshow music selection. As far as who I am now, as a programmer, as a radio personality, as someone who understands this radio business, that all comes from Cat Thomas and JB King! I am proud to say that I have learned from the best. Not only did Cat and JB teach me about music selection, numbers and metrics, record labels, general programming, they also allowed me the opportunity to show them they could trust me, and that led to major opportunities. To this day, I still maintain great relationships with Eddie, Cat and JB. All three are family to me and they are ALWAYS readily available to pick up my call, and the feeling is mutual. And well, JB is my boss, so I definitely have to answer his call. haha.
5. What do you remember about your first impressions of Las Vegas?
When I first moved to Vegas, I immediately noticed that this was a fast paced city. This city is very industry driven and I immediately knew that I had to go out and network... a lot!
6. Your favorite DJ situation...radio, night club, or sporting event? (I purposely left out wedding)
Mannnnn come on now! This question is unfair haha! I've had a ton of great moments/situations in all aspects of being a DJ. From interviewing Ice Cube, Miguel, Jo Koy in the studio, to playing a club in Reno with the legend Steve Arrington, and finally to being the Raiders DJ, again, all DJing has been equally as important to me. And yes, even doing weddings!
7. What might surprise people about living and working in Las Vegas?
In my opinion Las Vegas is a very dynamic city. Living here is amazing as long as you understand that Las Vegas is not just the strip! There are many great parts to this city that make us a great community. If you want to work in Vegas you have to appreciate all 24 hours of the day, not just the 9-5. Some people are built for this city and many just aren't.
8. If you weren't in radio/music, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?
I'd be in Law Enforcement. My degree is in Criminal Justice, so I'd want to put it to use.
9. What do you like to do in your spare time? Pick up any new hobbies during the pandemic?
In my spare time I love spending time with my wife and son, especially now that my son is about to go to high school. He and I have a great bond and I want to make sure I share with him as much time as possible. As far as hobbies, I do minimal PHP coding so I help a ton of friends develop and maintain websites. But let's be honest, I spend as much time in front of my turntables as possible, daily!
10. First advice that you'd give to someone relocating to Las Vegas?
If you are relocating to Vegas, be ready to network! Oh, and yes, get ready to enjoy the blazing hot summers.
Bonus Questions
If you could be on any TV game show or reality show, which would you want to be on?
Oh man! I've always wanted to take my family on Family Feud! That would be it!
If you had to eat one type of meal every day for a month, what would it be?
My choice would be Mexican, grew up on it, still on it!
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