10 Questions with ... Brian Michel

NAME:Brian Michel POSITION:OM/PD STATION:KUUU-KTCE (U92, Top 40/Rhythmic), KUDD-KUDE (107.9 The Mix, Hot AC) MARKET:Salt Lake City, UT COMPANY:Mill Creek Broadcasting BORN:Virgin Beach, VA RAISED:Virgin Beach, VA

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

After bugging PDs to death, I finally got my foot in the door as a board operator/air-personality at WJQI (Mainstream AC) in the NORFOLK/VIRGINIA BEACH market (Dec. 1991). Several call letter and format changes later, I worked my way up as the overnight personality (1994) and then night personality (1995) at WPTE (Modern AC). I learned imaging and production there and then went to FORT WAYNE, INDIANA as production director (Oct. 1998) for KOVAS COMMUNICATIONS, which included WEJE (Alternative), WYSR (Modern AC), WGL (News/Talk), and WCKZ (Top 40/Rhythmic). I was given the opportunity to work with some fine folks there, such as WEASEL, signing on WCKZ as a brand new radio station in late 1998. After given the PD reigns there for almost three years, I came to DENVER as Program Director of Urban KXUU (2001). After just over a year in DENVER, the station's parent company gave me the opportunity to become Operations Manager of the SALT LAKE CITY Cluster.

1. What do you remember most from your first shift on the air?

Being nervous as hell...and playing "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak (very first song I played). Never knew the foretelling truth of that song title until much later.

2. What got you interested in Radio?

I always loved broadcasting. From the time I was 4, I knew I wanted to be in radio. What sold the deal for me was getting a chance to listen to awesome talents in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach market such as Paul "Cubby" Bryant (WGH, 97 Star), MJ Kelli (WNVZ), and Cory Deitz (WNVZ).

3. What's been your biggest disappointment in Radio?

The politics of the record industry.

4. What's the highlight of your radio career to date?

Working with this fine group of people that took KUUU top 5 on a 35 watt booster before the signal upgrade. The staff here is AMAZING!

5. What secret about Brian Michel will surprise even those that know you well?

I just completed the St. George Marathon and generally run 25 miles per week. I also play ice hockey every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 am.

6. What are you looking to hear as you hit "play" on an aircheck for a gig?

Natural and LOCAL, LOCAL, LOCAL. Did I say LOCAL? Less JOE DISC-JOCKEY and more LOCAL. If you're not local, we might as well listen to internet radio or satellite.

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

RICH HAWKINS, BILL CAMPBELL, JERRY DEL CORE, KEVIN LEWIS and RANDY RODGERS

8. You've become a husband and a father over the last five years. Has the experience affected how you approach your position on a day-to-day basis?

My wife and I had our little boy this past March. The biggest effect it has had on me is time management. I thought there was never enough time before - but, there's a whole new meaning to "not enough time" now. There is nothing more I love to do than spend time with my little boy. I've added more structure and a little more delegation.

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

CEO of the Walt Disney Company. When Iger is done, I am next. After that, I wouldn't mind running an NHL franchise someday.

10. Your VP/GM tells you that you've got an additional $100,000 in the programming budget for 2006. Where do you spend it?

Marketing and promotions that really localize the station even more. LOCAL, LOCAL, LOCAL.

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

Spend it with my little boy - and when he gets older, teaching him how to play hockey like Wayne Gretzky.