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10 Questions with ... Danny Salas
May 24, 2022
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
Having a dad who was a California Highway Patrolman, I assumed I'd grow up to be a cop. I would've been the BEST cop! But my "dream" was that I'd be holding a microphone, a steel chair, or a championship in a WWE ring.-
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started on the campus of Fresno State at KFSR hosting a West Coast Hip Hop show from midnight-3am every weekend, taking FULL advantage of "safe harbor" hours by airing as many explicit lyrics as I could.
In 1998, I was hired for nights and weekends at local Art Laboe-owned station, KKPW/Fresno.
In 2001, joined KBOS/Fresno for a nice run as MD/afternoons.
From 2010-2012, I did some awesome non-radio things.
I jumped to KSEQ/Fresno in 2012 for afternoons and Promotions with Buckley Broadcasting. I've been at KSEQ as King of the Afternoon Drive and APD, now under the Lotus Communications' umbrella, ever since.
1. What got you into radio?
I was always listening to the radio as a kid. Not only for the music, but I was interested in the commercials, the imaging, everything. Even back then, I could tell the difference between a great on-air talent and a really bad one. I was lucky enough that my high school had a broadcasting class (Clovis High Cougars!) and after two semesters, I knew I wanted to be a part of that industry. After earning my stripes at Fresno State's campus station, my path was set.
2. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
Having a dad who was a California Highway Patrolman, I assumed I'd grow up to be a cop. I would've been the BEST cop! But my "dream" was that I'd be holding a microphone, a steel chair, or a championship in a WWE ring.
3. Has the COVID-19 pandemic taught you anything about yourself?
In the last couple years, I've learned more about other people. It's amazing how a global pandemic helped reveal just how many uncompassionate, callous, racist, sexist, self-serving people we've had in our social circles, work environments, and local communities. So, I guess Covid taught me to be to be more selective with my time, energy, and respect.
4. I know that you are a big WWE fan. Does your professional wrestling fandom extend beyond WWE? Who's the greatest of your lifetime?
HUGE fan! There is so much great pro wrestling out there, but I've always been loyal to WWE. Personally, I fell in love with it in the 4th grade. Professionally, WWE's corporate publicity and marketing staff has always taken care of me (and my stations) with interviews, WrestleMania "Radio Row" invites, and cool live event opportunities. It's pretty sweet to be my city's "WWE guy". And the greatest? Stone Cold Steve Austin, without a doubt. He changed the game. The G.O.A.T.
5. What would probably surprise most people about living and working in Fresno?
As big as the city is, there's still a small-town feel everywhere you go. Traffic is barely an issue. There's a great benefit from being right in between the Bay and L.A. We're close to everything. We're the ag capital of the universe, so fresh fruits and veggies are always easy to find. Sure, the triple-digit summers always suck, the airport is called "FAT," and our downtown is a constant "work in progress," but there's way too much great stuff here for anyone to want to live anywhere else.
6. If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?
I'd love the chance to be a great teacher. English, Communications, Journalism...plus, I look really good in a shirt and tie.
7. Got any hobbies? Did you pick up any new hobbies during the pandemic?
More time at home meant more time to binge shows I had never seen before, so I've had a pretty serious relationship with Netflix and HBO Max. Also, I relaunched my Sunday night West Coast specialty show in 2020. It is SO much fun to schedule that show every week.
8. If you could be on any TV reality show or game show, which would you want to be on?
I'm just waiting to get that call from Jon Taffer, asking me to be one of his spies on "Bar Rescue." (fingers crossed!) "Radio Rescue" sounds like a good idea for a show, too, huh?
9. Which actor plays Danny Salas in a Netflix series about life at Q97.1?
It's kinda cheating, but I asked my wife to help me out on this one: She says, "Ryan Reynolds or BJ Novak, because they're good-looking and funny, and they care about the world. Or The Rock. He's full of personality and can cut a promo like nobody else!" Not bad. She makes some pretty good points.
10. Who were/are some of your radio mentors?
Whether they knew it or not, I've learned the good and bad of radio from everyone I've worked with, worked for, or met in the industry. But there are some names who have had a huge impact on my career. Greg Mack is a radio pioneer and a West Coast icon. He sat at his desk, listening to my talk breaks, for my very first aircheck meeting in radio. His advice was invaluable and I'm lucky enough to have stayed in touch with him to this day.
Rene Roberts is the reason I got back into radio after spending a couple years doing non-radio things. He was one of the few people who reached out and checked in during my time between gigs. He brought me on at KSEQ in 2012, and he quickly became a great friend, not just my PD.
And another guy who's always been inspiring, especially over the last few years, is Danny Hill. He's such a great radio personality, businessman, and family dude. He took a leap of faith, bought his own station in Bakersfield, and currently co-hosts a multi-market syndicated radio show with his talented wife. That's a success story.
I've learned so much from so many. At this point in my career, I think it might be my turn to be a mentor.
Bonus Questions
If you had to eat one type of meal every day for a month, what would it be?
In Central Cali, Mexican food is a must! Don't let anybody tell you any different.
You are alone and stuck on a deserted island. You have a shit-ton of batteries and a portable entertainment center featuring a DVD/CD player. You only have 3 movies and 3 albums for the next 3 months. What 3 movies and cds would you want on hand?
Kill Bill (volumes 1 & 2 count as ONE movie!), a literal work of art
Zoolander, so I can laugh my butt off
Big Fish, so I can cry my eyes outNWA "Efil4zaggin", the hardest album from the World's Most Dangerous Group
Mac Dre "Dreganomics", a lyrical classic from the Bay Area legend
Johnny Cash "The Legend of Johnny Cash", a masterpiece collection of greatest hits -
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