10 Questions with ... LT

NAME:LT POSITION:PD/Mornings STATION:KBLZ-KAZE/102.7 - 106.9 THE BLAZE MARKET:TYLER-LONGVIEW-MARSHALL, TX COMPANY:S.O. 2000 BORN:November 18th RAISED:Houston, TX

1. What was your last non-Industry job?

I waited tables at this restaraunt called "The Cattleguard"...we had BIG BEEF ya know! We served Steaks and Chicken Fried Steaks and things like that! Good Texas cooking!!

2. What got you interested in Radio?

I have always been fascinated by radio! The personality, the music, the promotions! But a homeboy of mine was going to college for TV/Radio and I had to do an oral presentation on a College or University my senior year in High School! While doing my research I found that you didn't need a lot of math to graduate with a Communications Degree! I was cool with math untill they threw the alphabet in there!! Since he was doing TV I went Radio! The rest is history!...although I still don't have that degree!

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

Big Companies! When you had smaller Ma and Pop stations or the big boys could only own a couple of stations per market you had more competition and that created better radio! Fun radio has disappeared in a lot of markets and stations become very "cookie cutter". Voice Tracking is garbage...I understand why it's done but it is killing the industry, to me.

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

There are a couple of things. First, being able to maintain #1 12+, 18-34, 18-49, and 25-54 for over 5 years. On a personal note...winning First Place in the AIR Competition! I felt like a listener..."I have never won anything in my life"!...much less $25,000! What made that special was the fact that my background is Promotions and Marketing and so to win a music contest was huge....plus, I understand I was the smallest market P.D. to ever win that contest. Maybe that's why it's not around anymore! (lol)!

5. What's your favorite part of your duties as PD/air personality? If you had to choose one over the other, which would it be?

The People (listeners and my staff)...plus, the creativity. I love being creative and coming up with new ideas. I just recently moved to mornings (shout to my co-host Erica D.) and I love it. We are a couple of fools and we are able to share the foolishness with our audience. If I had to choose...I would rather be on the air. That is why I got into radio...to be on air and make a difference in peoples daily life...whether it's making them laugh or cry. I want to be involved. Don't get me wrong...I absolutely love programming, too, but that rush from being on the air can't be duplicated.

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

First and foremost my homie...my dog ROBERT SCORPIO. No doubt about that. I would not be where I am without that dude. Thanks ROB. My man, BOBBY Z. He is a high strung, marketing fool. He taught me how to stay aggressive and to constantly be in people's face. I have to mention a former P.D. of mine, STEVEN TREJO. That cat always had great ideas and knows "Fun Radio" as I call it.

7. What separates programming in TYLER-LONGVIEW from other TEXAS markets like AUSTIN and SAN ANTONIO?

Really, I don't think there is much difference. Radio is Radio no matter where you are. I worked in HOUSTON for 10 years and now in TYLER for 4 1/2 and there isn't much difference at all. Where the differences are is in the music. For example, SAN ANTONIO is a little more Hispanic than East TEXAS so the music may vary a little. .AUSTIN is a college town, etc. Basically, find out what makes that market tick and go get it.

8. In 2006, will we see some more new artists from the TEXAS Hip Hop scene?

NO DOUBT! I am so proud of these cats from H-TOWN...not just cause that is my home town, but I was there when PAUL WALL, CHAMILLIONAIRE, FLIP and DJ SCREW were doing their thing locally and now their hard work and determination has paid off. Have you heard Bun B's album? Classic! Free Pimp C!

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

Hell, I guess I better go back to school first. Remember, I didn't get that degree. I would love to do Sports TV. Play-by-play or color commentary would be hot, too. I could do that actually.

10. Your VP/GM tells you that you've got an additional $50,000 in the programming budget for 2006. Where do you spend it?

I'd spend it on my staff. Being in a small market, we are all wearing a few hats and don't really get the compensation for the work. Plus, I want my staff to want to run through a wall for me like I would for them. So, a little extra change in their pocket would help.

What's your dream market?

To be honest...I really don't have a dream market. NEW YORK is too expensive and LA tends to be a little fake...and expensive. How 'bout in a state with no State tax (we don't have one in TEXAS) I want to take home my money, not pay taxes with it.