10 Questions with ... Beto Perez

1. What got you into radio?

When I was about 6 or 7-years-old, I was driving back from Mexicali, Mexico where my grandparents lived. I was listening to a Spanish station and heard a very animated voice come on. Right away, I was sold. My first two thoughts were: Deejays get paid to play music and it sounds like a very easy job. Little did I KNOW!

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

I had three dream careers
A) To become a teacher, which I accomplished
B) To be on the on the radio
C) The one career, I have yet to accomplish is to become and astrobiologist. Yes, aliens are real.

3. Who are/were some of your radio mentors?

I have so many to mention. I don’t want to leave anyone out. This is a tough one, but I will say I owe my life to Producer Vic, Delana and Greg who believed in me when I was just 17. Xavier the Xman and David The Laughing Boy who I worked next to for nine years. They both taught me so much. But I learned a lot from many folks : Rick Thomas, Sherry Knight, Sean Sarille (RIP), Hurricane Andrew, Lisa St Regis, Billy Blast, Chino, Rob Scorpio, Jagger & Kristi, Pablo Sato, Tati, Chris Cantore, Robin Roth, Steve West (RIP), Mary Ayala, Cliff Albert, Jorge, Mike Usher, John Peake, Sully, Jean M, Frankie V, Geena The Latina, the show KIOZ, Jesse, Shelly B, Big Boy, DJ Happee, Ritchie Rich, DJ Rags, Louis Cruz, Shauna Moran, DJ Marlino. There are just so many to mention. I'm sure I forgot some. But I love them all and it's in no particular order.

4. Learn anything about yourself during the pandemic?

Yes! I learned to be politically correct and that I can wake up early. I also learned that I could cook.

5. Pick up any new hobbies during the last two years

I picked up cycling again. I do about 10-30 miles a day plus I got back into tennis and I'm doing more hiking.

6. What might surprise people about living and working in San Diego?

Maybe, how diverse the city is. We are a melting pot. Everything...from fashion, music and even food.

7. If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?

I come from rough neighborhood. Honestly, I couldn’t answer that. Things could have gone far left for me.

8. Anywhere on your travel bucket list?

I love to explore. I literally want to travel to every country and every crevice of the earth. But Tijuana would be that place. It’s a long story.

9. If you could pick one artist to co-host the morning show with you for one week, who would you pick?

Rick James, without a doubt!

10. Who on the Jam'n 95.7 staff would do the best at Jeopardy?

DJ Tarzan or Pablo Sato