10 Questions with ... Fred Rico

NAME:Fred Rico POSITION:King of Radio Sparta STATION:KOHT-KTZR-KXEW-KWFM MARKET:Tucson, AZ COMPANY:Clear Channel BORN:Tucson, AZ RAISED:Tucson, AZ

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I was on tour with the International Federation Of Bear Wrestlers. I had just pinned a Grizzly but he got away and mauled the announcer. So I had to take over the MC duties. Tim Richards is a big fan of the International Federation Of Bear Wrestlers and he was in the crowd that night. So he asked me if I had ever wrestled bears in Hawaii. I told him no but I'd like too. He informed me I could but I had to program a radio station at the same time. I agreed, and let me tell you, those Hawaiian Bears are vicious. After seven years I longed for the days of wrestling bears in the desert so I came back and I'm happy wrestling desert bears and programming some great stations.

1. What got you into radio?

Duh...Bear Wrestling

2. You did several years in Hawaii at KIKI...how was the adjustment coming home to landlocked Tucson?

Honolulu is a great radio market but it's softer so Leona Lewis and Gwen Stefani are on your playlist. Tucson is hood-riffic so I might get gaffed playing Leona Lewis here.

3. Personally, what's the best part of living and working in Tucson?

Family. I'm a huge mama's boy and when I'm not wrestling bears I'm eating my mom's cooking

4. Over the last 5 years, what do you think has been the biggest change in your job as PD?

I have more to do.

5. What kind of questions are your air personalities asking about PPM?

What is it? And I tell them don't worry about it till 2010 or 2011 or 2012 when it gets to this market.

6. What do you find most exciting about your job?

Radio is not what it used to be. But if you get to observe somebody listening to your station and the content can make them dance, sing along and laugh. It gets me excited.

7. If you could import one thing from Hawaii to Tucson what would it be?

There are some great people in Hawaii I wish could see more often. Granted there is a couple who came out to Tucson.

8. Hypothetical...You get to be on a TV reality show...which reality show would you like to be on?

MTV's The Real World. I'd want to be on so I could make fun of the kids crying on camera.

9. What's your all-time favorite movie?

It's a toss up between 3 Amigos and Reservoir Dogs

10. What do you do to get away from it all?

Duh...Wrestle some bears

If you were to leave Radio and music today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be?

I'd go back to International Federation of Bear Wrestling

I'm developing a very bad, new TV series, Dancing With The Record And Radio Stars. Who in the record industry would you like to see do the Cha Cha on national TV

K-Smooth (PD of KIKI) dances like he's on aHappy Days episode. I'd like to see that.