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10 Questions with ... Pablo Sato
October 21, 2008
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NAME:Pablo SatoPOSITION:Mornings/afternoonsSTATION:KOHT Hot 98.3MARKET:TucsonCOMPANY:Clear ChannelBORN:Honolulu, HIRAISED:Hawaii
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
KIKI/Honolulu - MD/afternoons/Imaging, KFMS/Las Vegas - MD/afternoons/imaging, XHTZ/San Diego MD/mornings, KOHT/Tucson - mornings/afternoons.
1. What was your last non-radio job?
Working in the family business of laying carpet. I never attended summer school or had to work a drive thru, but busted that ass for free until this very day. When I went home to Hawaii to visit, My father asked me to help him out on a "important job" I showed up and he "had to take care of a few things". I finished the job in five hours. I called him and asked "Where you stay?" (Pidgin a Hawaii dialect). He then pulled up. I started to load the tools in the back of the truck...next to his golf clubs. At least he told me he shot poorly that day.
2. What got you into radio?
I hate laying carpet. Plus radio shifts were 4 hours once upon a time.
3. What's your favorite aspect of being on-air?
I love a well performed bit, from the conception of the idea to the execution and the result. But you're only good as your last break so...next question.
4. What's the highlight of your career radio to date?
I have a few.. Being the guy who broke Shaggy's "It' Wasn't Me" and for the album to go platinum. Being number one in our demo in Honolulu, and San Diego. San Diego especially because there was so much talent in the market at the time. But the one that sticks out the most is probably being in Hawaii and sending out airchecks and getting responses from Jimmy Steal (KPWR), Tom Poleman (WHTZ), Todd Cavanaugh (WBBM), and Jeff Kapugi when he was at WFLZ. It may not seem like a lot but when you get a response to what you're doing from industry leaders it's kind of cool. If they don't remember please don't let me know. It's still a highlight for me. Don't ruin it.
5. Who is working with you in the morning?
I got this guy named Hospe. "YNB" Young in Business we call him. He's just one of those guys who is really fun and has an electric personality. He can't run a board to save his life but the chemistry is there and we have a pretty solid show.
6. Much of your career was spent as a Music Director. Ever miss programming? Why or why not?
I still attend music meetings and help out as much as I can but I tell you Selector looks foreign to me. As for the programming aspect of it, Fred Rico, my PD, is really open to some of the ideas that I bring to the table so I still dabble in everything.
7. Who do you consider your radio mentor(s)?
Learned a lot just by listening a lot. As far as on-air, St. John, Rory Wild, Scotty Davis, Tha Dog House and I really like DSC.
In regards to programming, Fred Rico...the man is a wealth of great stories and analogies on getting things done. Also Rik McNeil, Rick Thomas and the people I've already mentioned.
8. A freak gravitational shift has added three hours to everyday. What would you do with those extra three hours?
Voicetrack another market, or play another 9 holes.
9. What's your favorite part about living in Tucson? What do you miss most about Hawaii?
Tucson's people are open and loving. At least the ones I've met. Monsoon season was pretty pimp. Oh, I can't forget to mention having an Indian casino 20 minutes away from my house.
The things I miss about Hawaii? I miss the food, the 80 degree weather, the 2 am phone call from a girl and most importantly, not looking like an idiot when you still have your surf board racks on your car. Everyday somebody here asks me what those are.
10. Ever interview an artist or celebrity that you may have had significant preconceptions about and they turned out to be totally off-base?
I just want to shout out John Legend. he's not the fun, wild sexcapades type interview but he's willing to open up to you and tell you how he really feels about things and not afraid to share as well.
This just came to mind, David Banner. I'm not going to lie. I thought, "Okay another interview with perhaps no substance. Just I'm a pimp, I slang drugs, I'm hardcore. But it turned out to be a very enlightening interview. He's well versed on so many topics especially the music industry and politics. It was a top 5 for me.
Bonus Questions
Any advice for aspiring morning show hosts?
Does anyone aspire to get up at 2 in the morning? If you do pablo@hot983.com.
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