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10 Questions with ... Emily McIntosh
November 16, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I began in radio at Kansas State University (KSDB) and worked for Manhattan Broadcasting in Manhattan, KS for three years. I joined the Emmis team in August of 2014 doing promotions and weekends on-air for 101X (KROX-FM). I made the transition to KGSR's MD/midday host on September 28th.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I used to play "radio DJ" as a kid, maybe six or seven years old. I'd play my parents cassettes back-to-back on the living room floor, and talk about what the songs meant to me. At K-State, a friend convinced me to take the "intro to radio" class and I've never looked back.
2. Who are your mentors?
My high school English teacher, Larry Kahmeyer, for opening my mind and introducing great writing and music (and taking us record shopping). Drew Bartlett (Townsquare), for giving me my very first commercial gig. Carly Evans (KORA), for teaching me her ways and expanding my playlists - she's the biggest Texas Country fan ever. Lynn Barstow (KROX), for putting me on-air in Austin and letting me into the exclusive 101X club.
3. You must be very excited with your new gig at KGSR!
I'm over the moon. The team here is spectacular - Haley Jones is a Triple A and programming rock star; I'm trying to soak up her wealth of knowledge as much as I can. We have a true music fan in Loris Lowe -- she sounds so warm and friendly on-air. Andy Langer is a legend and deserves every bit of street cred he's collected. His nuggets of wisdom are worth their weight in gold. To interact with these people on a daily basis is a privilege.
4. How are your music meetings conducted?
They're a process we're adapting and revising. I think music sounds differently in the car - so I'm a big fan of driving and listening. Haley (Jones) always says - it's a combination of "gut and data."
5. How do you feel about the current climate of music?
It's moving faster than ever before. Accessing music you love and digging deep into a specific genre or sub-genre is now totally accessible at any time. My taste is as diverse as it has ever been. The flip side to that coin is that some great music takes several listens to really absorb and appreciate. So I have to purposefully take time to really LISTEN and not dismiss new music too quickly.
6. Where do your personal tastes in music lie?
A visual representation would likely resemble a Jackson Pollack. I was raised on folk and classic rock, and have consumed music with a voracious appetite since then.
7. How did you survive your first ACL at KGSR?
The KGSR staff and crew run like a well-oiled machine. Bill Johnson and his team make a concert in our tiny little KGSR cubicle sound AMAZING. Listening back to Charlotte O.C.'s performance, in all its sonic detail, changed my life. I can't wait to jump in and tackle SXSW when March rolls around!
8. What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?
Best: "When you're totally overwhelmed; envision what you can accomplish in just the next 10 minutes."
Worst: "That's for tomorrow's Emily to worry about."
9. What would surprise people most about you?
I'm fantastic at the hula hoop.
10. If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?
Professional skateboarder! I'd probably need to learn a few more tricks.
Bonus Questions
Last non-industry job:
I designed and sold cheer uniforms for a sportswear company.
First record ever purchased:
On actual vinyl? Herman's Hermits. I think the first CD I bought was The Best of the Beach Boys.
First concert:
Relient K at Frontier City theme park in Oklahoma City. Bless his heart, my dad waited in line with me and my best friend for FOUR HOURS to see this show.
Favorite band of all-time:
I absolutely love British singer/songwriter/filmmaker Cosmo Jarvis. See also: Green Day, John Mayer, Tom Petty, Ben Folds, The Beatles, Lucero.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
I love traveling, reading, wine, podcasts, spending time outdoors, running and eating dessert (not simultaneously, usually). And I'm a HUGE KC Royals baseball fan - I cried when we won the World Series!
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