10 Questions with ... D.J. Lopez

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I didn't get into radio the way most do. I was a true "prize pig" when I was younger living in Santa Fe. A friend of my dad's was a sales person at an AM/FM combo, and they were looking for a board-op/office person. Sungroup bought the FM station and moved it to Albuquerque, and applied for new calls (KKSS). I was still in high school so was going to have to quit. I ran into the PD of another FM station (Q-106) in town. I used to win a lot of prizes from them and he asked if I wanted to come work for him.

I worked there for a couple of years, then they moved to Albuquerque, too. I worked at a music store and a couple of movie theaters for the next three years, then moved to Albuquerque to go to college.

I started working at KKSS in 1993 doing nights full-time...(found out that going to college and doing radio full-time don't mix)...til about 1995, then went to KKOB as a "floater"/morning stunt guy. I came back to KKSS in 1998 with Tony Manero and Jackie James and worked there until 2001.

Then I went across the street to KYLZ and was successful in beating KKSS for a couple of years with a bad signal. Then Univision and Pete Manriquez and Co. (Dana Cortez, Kandee and Crisco) came in and showed the whole damn city how it was done!

KYLZ flipped to talk radio in 2005 (yeah, and look how that turned out!). I came back to KKSS AGAIN later that year, working parttime for a year, then became full-time Promotion Director. That lasted a little over a year. Our PD, Homie Marco, got the opportunity to program KBBT/San Antonio and recommended me for the PD position here at KKSS in January 2008.

1. Why Radio?

It's the easiest job in the world and, I get paid for it!

2. To date, what is the highlight of your radio career?

FALL BOOK 2009 - #2 P12+, #1 P18-34, #1 W18-34, #1 P18-49, #1 W18-49, #1 P25-54, #1 W25-54

3. KKSS is a heritage Top 40/Rhythmic radio station. How long has the station been a Top 40?

KKSS was born in late summer 1986

4. Tell me about your line-up and staff at KKSS?

I like to think I'm a veteran of the station...BUT...when I think of Dana & Kandee (The House Party) - they've been here for 7 years. NO ONE IN THIS MARKET CAN TOUCH THEM. Their experience in Houston put them on a whole different level

Our afternoon jock/Imaging Director Johnny V - started here in 1995

Our night jock M-Kue (Matthew Candelaria) - 8 years

"Street King"/Programming Asst. Anthony "Animal" Garcia - 8 years

There are many years of experience on the staff here at KKSS.

5. You are a veteran of the Albuquerque radio. Think back to walking into your first radio station. What do you remember most about that day?

Well, I was picking up a prize. Back then, I was a well-known "prize pig". The station was on the second floor of a very nice office, in my hometown of Santa Fe. I think I was more excited about winning something than being at an actual radio station...although, it was cool to meet all the jocks.

6. What is so appealing about Albuquerque as a place to live and work?

One word...FAMILY. I'm from here...my family lives here. Besides, where else can you get all four seasons in ONE day?

7. I know we're only a few months into the year but what song has been the biggest surprise to you in 2010?

Surprise - "Say Ahh" by Trey Songz...when Atlantic was working this late last year, it looked as if the single to be playing was "I Invented Sex" - which is a great song - but sometime around the holidays, listeners and stations took notice.

Not-so surprise - "Nothing On You" by B.O.B. & Bruno Mars...(wow, another Atlantic joint - just a coincidence!)...gotta give credit to our veteran mixer DJ Automatic...he turned me on to this one in October...loved it ever since!

8. Who do you consider your mentor(s)?

Steve Stucker was the first PD to give me a shot on-air. He's now a damn good weatherman on our local NBC affiliate.

Mikey Fuentes (where is he NOW?) I'm just kidding! Boise's lucky to have him! Mikey's got great insight on "theater of the mind" programming.

Steve Smith - I've never seen anyone put on a station the way he did!

Steve Perun taught me how to evaluate "market music", not national.

Mark Driscoll and Geoff St. John - they taught me the appreciation for voiceovers.

9. What do you think is the biggest single key to KKSS' success?

Heritage...Consistency (which includes Talent and Music)...Signal - we're lucky enough to have ALL three!

10. Where do you go to get away from it all?

Vegas, Disneyland, or wherever there's a good game or concert

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

I'd be a teacher or psychiatrist.

If you could only watch one movie, one TV show and listen to one album, for one full year which of each would you choose?

Either of the first two Pirates of the Caribbean movies, LOST, and the From Dusk Til Dawn soundtrack.