10 Questions with ... Erik 'Danny' Salas

NAME:Erik 'Danny' Salas POSITION:MD/afternoons STATION:KBOS B95 MARKET:Fresno, CA COMPANY:Clear Channel Radio BORN:West Covina, CA RAISED:Clovis, CA

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started doing college radio in 1997 at KFSR/Fresno State. I did nights for a local Art Laboe-owned station from 1999-2001. I was hired at KBOS in Aug. 2001, started as "slow jams" host, moved to afternoons and became Music Director. I also host a weekend specialty show at B95, "Ruthless Radio" every Sunday from 7 - 9 pm.

1. What was your last non-Industry job?

I worked as a front desk agent for a hotel. I loved it! I got to wear a suit to work, free cookies, everyday I got to meet interesting people from all over the world. Plus, as a young college student of drinking age, it was a blessing from heaven to have access to hotel rooms. Lesson: make friends with the maids and they won't say a word.

2. Why Radio?

I can honestly pinpoint the moment when I wanted to be on radio. In 1988, my older brother let me hear a song from an Eazy-E cassette tape. It was called "Radio", and as I was bobbing my head and listening to the Greg Mack talk-breaks throughout the song, I thought to myself, "I wanna do that!"

3. What's the first thing you do when you walk into your office in the morning?

A few months ago, the answer would be: check my email. But I got turned onto this Blackberry and I'm hooked. Now I can delete the garbage before I even log on to my office computer.

The first thing I do now is mess with the graphics and other stuff on the station website.

4. If you could be on any TV reality show, which show would you want to be on?

Not that it's a "real" reality show, but probably "The Hills", just so I could backhand Spencer. Either that or "Hell's Kitchen." I'd like Chef Ramsey to call me a cow and say, "F*** Off!"

5. You've been in Fresno a long time. Where do we find Danny Salas in Fresno on a Saturday night at midnight?

At this point, I'd be praying that I'm at a paid club remote. If not, I'm with friends at hole-in-the-wall bar downing well drinks, or movie night at home with the fam.

6. You've been at KBOS for quite some time as an air personality and as the MD. How has your daily schedule changed the most?

It really hasn't changed in years. Come to work, schedule music, on-air for 4 hours, go home. I keep from goin' stir crazy by being creative with my page on our Web site. I go to stay creative! Monotony is a killer.

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

Professionally, I can think of a few.

E. Curtis Johnson. He can answer any question and offer great advice relating to radio, and his straight-faced humor is among the best I've ever been around.

Pattie Moreno. She taught me that you should always be thinking, creating, adapting, evolving, and stay a step ahead of the competition in order to win. One of the most passionate people I've worked for.

Jazzy Jim Archer. When I was still a green MD, he let me sit in on his music meetings at KYLD, which he really didn't need to do. I learned so much just from observing and taking his advice. It was totally worth the 3-hour drive from Fresno to the bay.

Greg Mack. I had my very first aircheck meeting with him, and I still remember the pointers he gave me. He's a very important man in west coast radio history.

And even though we're not in contact too much, I'd list Big Bear at KCAQ. We both started on college radio at Fresno State. Now he's practically the mayor of his city. That's a radio success story!

8. If you could add 30 minutes of solitude in your office everyday...how do you think you would spend it?

Connect my external hard drive to the office computer, crank up the speakers, and zone out while listening to old stuff by Mac Dre, NWA, Marilyn Manson, Johnny Cash, anything else we don't play on the station.

9. If you could pick a perfect vacation spot, where would it be?

The honeymoon was in Hawaii and it was perfect there. I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather spend a vacation than on the beaches of Oahu. Plus, I friggin' love pineapple.

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

I would hope it'd be a better paying occupation. I see myself as doing a few things. TV is the next logical step. I could host a show like "Sabado Gigante"....but in English. Maybe a teacher? Or a forensic investigator. I've seen every episode of "Forensic Files."

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?

I'm a huge WWE fan, so I'd be happy watching "Raw" every night. And there's not a show on the air that's funnier than "How I Met Your Mother." Barney Stinson is the man.