10 Questions with ... Cort Johnson

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Started in promotions at Citadel's KENZ/Salt Lake City in 1999, before moving on-air to mornings and then eventually APD/MD. In 2011, I became full time stay-at-home dad, and picked up part time work for Alpha Media's KBFF and KXL in Portland, OR. In 2015, began co-hosting mornings/APD on KINK. In 2017, moved to KXL as an anchor/reporter for about seven months, before taking a Corporate Content Producer position with company's national digital team.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I really can't remember a time where I wasn't fascinated by radio and radio DJs. Outside of the Utah Jazz, radio personalities were the only celebrities we had in Utah. Somewhere I have a tape of me pretending to be a DJ on Salt Lake City's KBER when I was nine or 10 years old. I was also lucky enough to have a radio station within my high school (KPGR 88.1, go Vikings!) and did that my junior and senior years. I grew up listening to great music and DJs on KJQ and KXRK, and then eventually Triple A KENZ, where I landed my first full-time job in promotions while in college.

2. You must be very excited to be directly involved in the programming of KINK again. Tell us about that.

It's great to be back full-time on the KINK team -- and while I wasn't away for that long, it was enough for me to take a step back, see a broader picture, and identify some of the areas upon which we can improve.

3. How are you conducting the music meetings?

It's like being on the dream team! Our meetings are led by KINK PD and mad genius Ronnie Stanton, with input from me, our MD Jared Aman, and other KINK staff, including our Marketing Director Samantha Stidham. KINK easily has the best MD in in the format; Jared is a true music fan and fits the lifestyle of the station.

4. What new artists are you most excited about?

I'm mad crushing on Jacob Banks right now. He has the voice of an angel.

5. KINK has several decades of heritage; what is Alpha Media's approach to honor that heritage while being a contemporary Triple A station?

That's the big challenge, right? The PPM world doesn't reward heritage, but when a station has the kind of impact and staying power that KINK has, you have to recognize it. KINK turns 50 in December. We're taking a "recognize our past, look to the future" approach -- and we're fortunate to have a brilliant Market Manager, Lisa Decker, who has been involved with KINK for decades. She's a fan of the station and the format. The station's format has wandered over the years (Prog Rock in '70s, Smooth Jazz in the '90s). The Triple A format, while challenging, also allows for flexibility in how our Gold categories come together. At this point in the game, there's a lot of opportunity for KINK.

6. Tell us about the station's commitment to the environment and all the things you do to keep it top-of-mind within the staff as well your listenership.

Last year, KINK became the first carbon-neutral station in the country. It's something we, and the Portland community, take seriously. The biggest takeaway or lesson for us has been: It's the little things that make the difference. We eliminated plastic-coated drinking cups and stocked the break room with mugs from home (....also a great way to clean out your own cupboards). We have also been educating our entire cluster on recycling -- what can/can't go into the recycle bin.

7. Tell us about some of the other efforts KINK does for the Portland community.

Portland has a motto, "Community, not Competition." That's something we try to live by at KINK. We support local groups like the Cascade AIDS Project and the Human Access Project (helping locals gain better access to local waterways), as well local branches of national groups, like the American Cancer Society.

8. What is your biggest challenge at the station?

It's probably the same as it is in a lot places ... finding the room to play and showcase all the great music that's coming out.

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

No personality or promotion is bigger or better than the music. Ever! Also, if you think you might have taken the system out of automation, it never hurts to go check (that has saved me a few times).

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

A daily download from my daughters; how their day went, what's new, etc...

Last non-industry job:

Movie theater manager when I was 21.

First record ever purchased:

The first bought FOR me: MC Hammer, Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em (I have no regrets). The first bought BY me: U2's Achtung Baby. I can still remember taking the bus to the mall to buy it at Sam Goody and then reading the liner notes on the ride home. You can't do that with a digital download.

First concert:

Sawyer Brown (I do have regrets on this one, but hey, they were big in Utah)

Favorite band of all-time:

U2 (some, including my wife, have described it as "obsessive").

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

Away from work, I'm a full-time dance dad. I can do a pretty mean ballet bun, and my stage makeup isn't too bad either. It's the best part of my day.