10 Questions with ... Cat Thomas

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

2 years college radio at WFAL/WBGU at Bowling Green State University, Interned at WCOL-AM while finishing college at The Ohio State University. Then on to WNCI/Columbus-Traffic Reporter, Y106 (now XL106.7)/Orlando, FL -Marketing Director/Research Director/Weekend Air Talent. KLUC/Las Vegas-Nights/Afternoon Drive-MD/APD/PD and currently Dir./FM Programming

1. What's been the biggest change in your job since your promotion to Dir./FM Programming?

Time management and delegating some of the day to day stuff on KLUC to JB King, my APD. Overall I spend more time on big picture stuff and less on day to day. Sometimes it's cool...sometimes I really like pounding day to day.

2. The year is winding down. Who has been the biggest music star through 2009?

There is no doubt...Lady Gaga! She has gone from being a new artist to one of the hottest stars. She just has that IT factor. I think it's really going to put some pressure on the sophomore effort but for now...she is it!

3. What aspect of your job would you like spend more time on, if it were possible?

Listening to the station, brainstorming with the jocks, drinking beer with the staff...(is that part of the job?) Really keeping the creative parts of the station well oiled and taking the time to do less better!

4. We hear a lot of talk about radio not being as much fun as it used to be. Where do you and your staff find the most fun these days?

Actually hanging out together. Whether it's talking about promotions, over beers at our legendary Friday night meeting at Buffalo Wild Wings or executing a cool promotion with artists. We try to make it fun all the time.

5. How are you feeling about the music on KLUC right now?

Honestly...we sound friggin' good! I spend the entire day listening to the station while I was putting up the Christmas lights on Sunday. I was kind of tired and wasn't into it. But as I was checking bulbs and listening to the station, I got more and more fired up. It was a great day listening to my favorite station and loving it. It's an added bonus that I just happen to work there!

6. The last time we did 10 Questions, your morning host Chet Buchanan had just rejoined KLUC. Since then Lauren Michaels has joined the Zoo. How's the morning show these days?

Kickin' Ass. Great show. They are tight, fast, focused, friendly and funny. Chet, Lauren, Spence and Davey the Showkiller have a great chemistry and seem to be hitting on all cylinders. I'm very pleased and feel we have the right people in the right place at the right time.

7. Developing radio talent with dwindling live shifts is a growing concern for both jocks and programmers. How can you maximize the development of parttimers?

Basically we want to get our three parttimers Bojo, Nathan Fast and Nick Steele as many snaps as possible. Every one of those guys are 100% better than they were a year ago. Our night guy John Moug, started on street team and went above and beyond to work his way into nights within 2 years. We have a young kid Jersey, who is also the UNLV Rebel Mascot, who is developing from our street team into a promising talent. It all comes down to finding guys with desire that want to be a Radio Guy. Once they have that, the rest kind of takes care of itself.

8. As a veteran programmer and long time PD of KLUC, you've worked with some of the best record promotion people. Is there a particular new "star" that has impressed you?

Wow, that's hard to say. I think Dan Posner, who's Dad is friends with my Uncle back in Toledo, Ohio or Beata (we all know who she is so I don't have to try and butcher her last name) have done a great job. They are really the newer reps we have had in the last couple years. Since we are close to the L.A. market, most everyone we deal with are seasoned pros who we've known for years. I can't really think of a bad rep that we deal with. If I may, can I say it's always fun to fight and argue with one of my favorite people, Paula Tuggey!

9. I know that golf has taken a back seat to coaching soccer. Is it time to get the kids out to the driving range with you?

With Robbie averaging 1.8 goals per game and Jillie now beginning to compete at Gymnastics...NO! We are actually moving into Theatre. Both are excelling in a local theatre group. Robbie had the lead in the last two plays as Charlie in Willie Wonka and Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol. Jillie is Kathy Cratchet, Tiny Tim's sister in the production. However, Robbie has shown interest in using his Soccer skills to kick field goals. So we end up at the park 2-3 days a week kicking. He spoke to a neighbor who plays for a High School team and he told Robbie if he can hit a 40 yarder at Freshman tryouts, he will make the team. So Robbie has 5 years to hit that goal. I figure if he can do that, in 9 years, he can be hitting 55 yarders in Ohio Stadium on a beautiful Fall afternoon!

10. How is PPM treating you?

In the last 3 weeklies, KLUC has gone up each week. We are currently #1 18-34 and 18-49. Our cume topped 500,000 so we are feeling good about PPM right now.

What song that you are playing now always gets your attention when it comes on?

Jay Z/Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind. Hands down the best song on the air and I can hear the ratings go up every time it plays!

If you were trying to break into radio now, what would you do differently from how you broke into the business back in the day?

Really nothing. Same rules apply. My Dad always said "If you work to make your bosses job easier and make sure your job is done well, you will never be without work". Just find out what needs to be done, do it and do it well. Be available, accessible and willing to work any shift at any time. That's pretty much what I did then and it's what works now. It doesn't mean that you will be appreciated everywhere, I had to move from Orlando to Las Vegas, but it does mean that someone along the line will see value in that. Jerry Dean did and for that, he will always be on the top of the list when I say "I wouldn't be where I am today without..." There are many on that list, but Jerry would have that top spot.