10 Questions with ... Byron Kennedy

NAME:Byron Kennedy POSITION:PD/OM/Interim PD STATION:KSFM/KZZO/KZON MARKET:Sacramento COMPANY:CBS Radio BORN:Phoenix, AZ RAISED:Prescott, AZ

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

As of today I have been hired ONE more time than I have been fired.

1. What was your last non-Industry job?

I worked at TRW making air bags for automobiles. HORRIBLE JOB!

2. Why Radio?

Because I have always loved radio. It's what I wanted to do for as long as I can remember...I feel like I am living the dream! They say when you love your job you add five days to the week!

3. You've been at KSFM for awhile now. Has this been your longest stay in one market?

No question. October will be seven years. This would beat my previous record by about 4 years.

4. Your name has been in swirling around job rumors about SAN FRANCISCO and most recently, PHOENIX...What makes SACRAMENTO so appealing to you?

I would have to say that over the last few years I have been fortunate enough to work with some truly remarkable people. I LOVE going to work every day and winning with this group. We are in the trenches together and we have something special with KSFM. If I could pick my entire station up and move it then I would have no problem going. But when you invest your heart and soul into something you care about this deeply it becomes a part of you. I don't wanna have any missing parts!!! Oh...and Napa Valley is close by...how can you beat that? Salute!

5. OK...hypothetically...you have a one week vacation coming up. What would be the perfect BK vacation?

A room on the coast in Carmel CA, at least three days of golf at Pebble Beach and a few bottles of 97 Opus One! WOW....I think I'll do that!!!

6. What's the worst thing a record promotion rep can say to you when trying to get their record on KSFM?

The Bomb.

7. Who do you consider to be your mentor(s)?

JERRY CLIFTON...no question the biggest influence in my career and my life. To this day I look to him for guidance. He is the most brilliant, creative thinker I have ever met and I'm proud to be able to call him a friend! Also, DOUG HARVILL, Market Manager at CBS RADIO/SAN FRANCISCO. We developed a great relationship when he was here and I still pick his brain on occasion.

8. Not sure you want to hear this but you're probably on the informal list of "veteran programmers" now. What's been the biggest change in programming Rhythmic radio since you got your first PD gig?

I hope that is an EXTREMELY informal list....WOW. Am I? I don't think I like this question....well....I think the biggest change would be that I know a hell of a lot more now than I did when I started. My first couple of PD gigs were like being kicked into the pool with no floaties and no idea how to swim. I feel like I have my floaties now. This is an amazing job and you never stop learning if you're paying attention. Just when you think you have it figured out...someone takes your floaties away!

9. Any advice for young radio professionals looking to break into programming?

Be patient. Your time will come. Ask questions and LISTEN to the answers. You don't need a "title" to have an impact. Don't be afraid to get involved and help the team win. PD's notice more than you may think we do. If you are passionate and hungry you have 95% of the tools required to do this. You can learn the rest. I will take the guy with passion and drive over the guy with experience every time. I can give you experience...I can't give you HEART!

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

Hard question. I don't know how to do anything else! But you said I could CHOOSE one so I guess I would buy a nice little piece of land in Napa with some grapes and make wine. Owning a winery would be the gig!

BONUS. If you were going to be on an existing TV reality show...which would it be?

I would have to go with one that had a big cash prize like Survivor. That's the only way I will ever afford that land in Napa!

BONUS. A freak gravitational shift has added three hours to everyday. What would you do with those extra three hours?

I would probably use them to play more golf and drink more wine!