10 Questions with ... Casey Keating

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started my radio career as a disc jockey at KYME while in high school in Boise, and worked in Salt Lake City at KRSP and then KPLZ/Seattle and WLS/Chicago. I was PD at KPLZ (STAR 101.5)/Seattle (twice), WHYI (Y-100)/Miami, KZQZ (Z95.7)/San Francisco, and KIOI (STAR 101.3)/San Francisco (twice). Currently I run Keating Media Services in Pasadena, CA, doing voiceover and consulting. And most recently PD at Sun Radio in Austin.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

My older brother Barry, now a professor of economics at the University of Notre Dame, had a gig as a Top 40 jock while he was going to college. Visiting him in the studio gave me the bug. I grew up listening to great radio out of New York and admired guys like Cousin Brucie for their ability to use word economy and say something compelling and entertaining over the intro of a record. If you can't sing or play an instrument, but love music, radio is a dream career.

2. Tell us about the Sun Radio network.

Daryl O'Neal, the president and founder, started Sun Radio as a network of non-profit radio stations based out of the flagship station at 101.1 FM in Austin. The studio and transmitter are solar-powered, thus allowing Sun Radio to play the best music under the sun.

3. What is the underlying mission?

The mission is to entertain, preserve the culture of Texas music, foster new radio broadcasting careers and support local musicians. Proceeds are used to expand local programming, create local jobs and support other non-profit organizations.

4. What markets do you cover?

Sun Radio can be heard on 100.1 FM in Austin, 103.1 FM in Dripping Springs, KTSN 88.9 FM in Johnson City, 106.9 FM in Fredericksburg, 88.1 KCTI in Gonzales, 99.9 FM in San Marcos, and the newest addition AM 1490.

5. How would you describe the music on the station?

Evolving. Sun Radio is a Triple A radio station with a very Texas twist. The foundation is to play the Triple A hits, but equally important is to highlight the very rich pool of local artists. Established acts like Spoon, Gary Clark Jr., The Mavericks and Lyle Lovett. And emerging and contemporary acts like Wild Child, David Ramirez, Shakey Graves, and many more.

6. Tell us about the air staff?

Sun Radio has a full-time live staff of very talented radio professionals that have been part of the Austin radio and music community for many years. Kevin Conner in the morning, Mark Murry afternoons, and Nancy Holt have a long relationship with listeners in Austin. Ben Bethea is a rising star as MD/on-air. They are passionate people who love music and are part of the Austin music scene. I know radio. They know Austin and Texas radio. I learn from them every day.

7. You also have a lot of specialty programming; give us some of the highlights of those.

A big part of Sun Radio's agenda is to focus on the great American traditions of rock and roll, blues, R&B and rockabilly. And to give local musicians a platform to perform live on-air. Monday nights at 7p, Mike Buck does a show called Blue Monday. Sun Radio broadcasts live every Wednesday night with Texas Radio Live @ Guero's Taco Bar featuring live music from bands we want listeners to discover. Kevin Connor's Saturday morning show, Hill Country Saturday, is a recipient of Best Radio Music Program from the Austin Chronicle/SXSW Austin Music Awards. Plus, we like to pepper in live performances from Austin City Limits.

8. What is your biggest challenge at the station?

It might be programming an Austin radio station while living in Los Angeles. But that actually has some advantages by allowing me to have a view of the station's programming from "30,000 feet," you might say. Denver O'Neal is the OM; he and his staff run the day-to-day operation of broadcasting and promotion. That gives me time to focus on the Sun Radio brand and programming. Skype staff and music meetings, streaming sunradio.com, and occasional market visits allow me to be fully engaged as if I was in the building.

9. What is your typical day like?

I'm an early riser. A morning bike ride when I can, and a check of what's trending on social media. Technology and the Internet of things allows me to monitor Sun Radio or record shows on ProTools, so I can scan through a daypart and make notes for an aircheck session. It is also a big part of how I listen to and discover new music, interact with the staff, and learn. I wake up in California and digitally spend the day in Texas.

10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ...

I can't make it through the day without feeding my 120+-plus-pound tortoise that lives in my backyard. You wouldn't believe how much noise a desert tortoise can make by crashing into things if you don't feed them on time! Also, music is the most important part of my day. Radio is still one of the best ways to discover new music or enjoy a favorite song.

Last non-industry job:

Busboy at a restaurant.

First record ever purchased:

Carole King Tapestry

First concert:

Doobie Brothers (While in junior high, they let me in backstage because I had a cassette recorder. It was also my first interview with a band.)

Favorite band of all-time:

Fleetwood Mac

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?

Anything that has sand, palm trees, and an ocean.