10 Questions with ... Brew Michaels

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Air talent, PD and OM at stations including KJJR/Kalispell, KGHL/Billings, KISM/Bellingham, KMOK/Lewiston, KATS/Yakima, KEZE/Spokane, KXRX/Seattle, KZOK/Seattle, Earth 105/Portland, KAOI Maui and KHTQ-/KZZU/Spokane.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I was sitting in the back seat of my parent's car in 1967 with my sister screaming at them to turn on KJR Channel 95 in Seattle and I just knew I wanted to be a part of this fun and creative enterprise.

2. Who were/are your mentors?

The fine staff at Brown Institute in Minneapolis, Michael Bettelli, John Napier, Gary Allen, Steve West, G Paul Sullivan, Crow and West, Robin and Maynard, Steve Slaton, Lucy Rice, Barry Bennett, Alan Mason, Chris and Tery Garras, Jim McKeon, Kevin Sutter and most importantly, Benny Bee Sr.

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

Modern Music From Every Angle. We are a fusion of styles and genres from Triple A, Top 40, Alternative and Hot AC. The unifying factor is that the music is current, recent or within the past few years. In some ways we take the KROQ Rick Carroll approach that Triple A is actually a current-based format as opposed to library-based. Our most-played currents are around 40 spins. We also play a significant amount of local and regional music in current rotation. We make the bands you see in the local clubs famous.

4. Tell us about the growing Kalispell-Flathead Valley market.

It's referred to as "The Last, Best Place." The majesty of the scenery (we are the gateway to Glacier Park, the home of the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi and one of America's most pristine river systems, as well the incomparable Big Mountain Ski Resort) is matched by the kind, generous and independent spirit of the citizenry. People who can afford to live anywhere choose to live here.

5. What is your biggest challenge at the station?

Parking (not a joke). While most radio complexes are shrinking, we continue to expand our "Live and Local" philosophy with growing social media and video departments, alongside veteran programming and sales staffs.

6. What would surprise people most about the station?

Our billing. Over the 40 years that Bee Broadcasting and Rose Communications have been entrenched in this amazing community, we've helped hundreds of local businesses grow into powerhouses and in doing so, we've become the go-to advertising medium. Our digital initiatives continue to explore new revenue opportunities and our Agency business is robust due to our dominating audience share.

7. What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

Having a unified cross-industry infinite dashboard strategy and unlocking FM transmitters in smartphones.

8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

You can't win them all, so pick your battles. To get along, sometimes you've got to go along.

9. What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?

Have a dream and follow it. To prevail, you must persist.

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

... A few laughs.

Last non-industry job:

Driving a three-wheel popsicle cart around Kalispell in the summer of 1978.

First record ever purchased:

The Beatles 62-66

First concert:

Doobie Brothers, Missoula MT 1975

Favorite artist of all-time:

Bob Dylan

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

Hanging out with my wife, son and dog.