10 Questions with ... Zachery 'Bootz' Woodruff

NAME:Zachery 'Bootz' Woodruff POSITION:Music Director / Middays STATION:KXJM MARKET:Portland, OR COMPANY:Rose City Radio BORN:Oakland, CA RAISED:Bay Area (East Bay; Richmond, Pinole, Hercules)

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started as an intern at 103.5 The Bomb, (KBMB/Sacramento) in the Summer of '98. I worked under Ebro Fillet, and Mixxula as an intern. Xmas 98, Ebro bumped me up to cover holiday shifts and weekends. June 99, Ebro had left Sac to go to Portland to be on the Playhouse. That bumped up Mixxula from nights to afternoons, and they offered me the night gig. Hooked up the "Federation" and Rick Rock produced intros and beats for my show. RAN THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO until Summer 02. Left radio to pursue FEDERATION fulltime. We signed to Virgin Records Nov 02. 1st Quarter 03, worked on album, mostly in LA, started to miss radio. June 03, got a call from Michael Newman 'bout a possibility to work under Mark Adams in Portland doing nights. Talked to the guys and Rick Rock, they told me to go for it! Got the job here in Portland in July 03. September 04, Alexa left to California, and I got bumped up to music director. Last fall joined, I joined Careezy on the afternoon show, and just a few months ago, moved to the midday slot. And that leads me up to present day, sitting here in my music director office, gettin' ready to go to the on air studio for my midday shift!

1. What was your last non-Industry job?

Tahoe Joe's Steakhouse, Server baby!!! Gotta love that tip money!

2. Why Radio?

Great question. I often ask myself the same thing. I just kind of fell into it while attending college at Sacramento State University. I Met a few people including Ebro (now Hot 97 PD) and began to intern at a new station he had just launched earlier that year.

3. Your boss, Mark Adams, has a stellar reputation as a leader and teacher. Real or hype?

All hype. He is cruel, inhumane, and malicious...HAHAHA! But really, Mark has taught me so much about radio and I've been blessed to work under his guidance and direction.

4. What animal would be describe you as a person and why?

I'm a monkey... Fun and playful, cute as hell, but will throw shit at you if necessary!

5. Your family has grown during the past year. How has that affected your view of your job in this profession?

I have learned to turn off the radio guy "bootz" as soon as I get off the clock. When I am home, I am "daddy" and "husband", but before that I was "bootz" 24 hours a day, all over town!!! I see this job as my security and responsibility, so I treat it with a greater respect than I did in the past. I do the best of my ability and do not push my employment boundaries like I used to in the past.

6. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Right here in Oregon, hopefully still working here at Jammin' 95.5 with Mark and Careezy and continuing to innovate in radio.

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

Lance Walden, Greg Lawley, Mark Adams

8. Leno or Letterman? Conan or Kimmel?

Well, I'm actually WAY asleep when those shows are on, but I like Letterman over Leno, and Conan over Kimmel, if I had to choose.

9. Highlight of your senior prom?

Wearing the Black and Red Patent Leather Jordan 11's ( I looked real fly!)

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

I would be tattooing in my own tattoo shop. I'm actually in the process of getting licensed to tattoo here in Oregon, and will be doing that on the side in the years to come.

You are driving across country. Each night in your hotel room you have to watch the same 2 TV shows (different episodes each night). What 2 shows would they be?

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Will & Grace

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

Spend them with my wife and son.