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10 Questions with ... Mikey Fuentes
August 25, 2009
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NAME:Mikey FuentesPOSITION:Director of ProgrammingSTATION:KWYD, KSRV, KPDA, KQLZ, KSRV-A & KMHI-AMARKET:Boise, IDCOMPANY:Impact Radio GroupBORN:Baja CaliforniaRAISED:San Diego, CA
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
KFMB/San Diego - First real gig, Board Op/ Jack of all trades
KPSI/Palm Springs - Late Nights
KKSS/Albuquerque - APD/nights
KISV/Bakersfield - MD/nights
KKSS/Albuquerque - PD/mornings
KFMB/San Diego - nights/Imaging
KYLZ/Albuquerque - PD/mornings
KWIE/ - PD/mornings
KVIB/Phoenix - PD/mornings
KZON/Phoenix - mornings
KWYD - IMPACT RADIO GROUP/Boise, ID - Director of Programming1. Why Radio?
Some people go thru life trying to figure out what they want to do when they grow up, at the age of 8 I knew I wanted to be on the radio. As far as what I want to do when I grow up... yeah, haven't figured that out yet.
2. To date, what is the highlight of your radio career?
From saving a little girls life in Phoenix to raising $90k for a family in need here in Boise, there have been many rewarding moments, but if we're just talking career... It's definitely our last book. Three out of four FM's in the cluster were number ONE in their demos.
3. KWYD has pretty much exploded on the scene in Boise. What were some of the highlights of your latest book?
WILD was only on the air for three weeks of the last book, so this was our first full book and we beat both Kiss and Magic (heritage stations) in nearly every demo including P18-34, where we're number ONE in the market.
4. Tell me about your line-up and staff at KWYD.
Mornings is open right now, Complex (who is the best APD. in the world... No you can't steal him... haha) and I do a mix show at noon. Bootleg Kev came to us from Power 98-3 in Phoenix and is doing a great job in afternoons. Class1c had never been on the air fulltime but spent some time at Power 106 in L.A. mixing and has a ton a raw talent so we hired him to do nights and he has really stepped up.
5. What's the most unusual thing about your programming job at KWYD and Impact Radio?
This reminds me of Radio the way it used to be. Mom and pop shops that loved what they did for a living and weren't subject to corporate bean counters. When was the last time the owner of a station knew everyone by name? Even better when was the last time the jocks and the PD played The Aircheck Gong Show with the owner? That is pretty damn unusual. Oh yeah and there is also the same amount of commercial full signal radio stations in Boise than there are in NYC.
6. Like a lot of radio programmers and talent, you've had your share of "downs" to go along with the many "ups". Got any advice on making it through the "downs"?
I believe that all situations win or lose are positive ones, as long as you walk away having learned something. The so called "downs" are simply experiences that will prepare us for your next victory.
7. Rhythm radio may not have ever sounded so Pop and Pop never as Rhythmic. Any quick thoughts on Hip Hop and Rhythm radio today?
With Hip Hop becoming mainstream in the last decade, pop stations were forced to deal with it because it became "pop". Now that the crossover is heading in a different direction, we're hearing more quality hip hop on the radio as opposed to quantity.
8. Who do you consider your mentor(s)?
Without a doubt my PARENTS. However there have been many people in the industry who have been kind enough to share some of their wisdom with me and they are: Elliott Klein, Darrrell Calton, Tracy Johnson, Mark Feather, Mike Cutchall, Jose Rodiles, Michael Newman, Kid Stevens, DJ Lopez, Scott Hutton, all the people I've ever competed with and of course my multi-tasking, multi-format consulting friend Anthony Acampora.
9. What do you think is the biggest single key to KWYD's success?
Discipline... it's the difference between good and great.
10. Where do you go to get away from it all?
It's all about THE LAKE... Wakeboarding is my pleasure.
Bonus Questions
If you were to leave Radio and music today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be?
I'd be a stay at home Dad!!!
If you could only watch one movie, one TV show and listen to one album, which would you choose?
Jerry McGuire, Myth Busters, The Eagles - Greatest Hits
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