10 Questions with ... John Farneda

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I've been at WXRT for over 25 years. Started as in intern during college and worked my way up to AMD, APD and now OM and MD.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

Born and raised in Chicago I was always interested in music as a child. My parents bought me my first record player at the age of 10. I would listen to Top 40 powerhouse WLS. While in high school in the late '70s, I got a car. A few of my buddies and I would often cut a class and go out to the parking lot and tune in to WXRT. At the time, it was the only way to hear the new music that was out there without buying it at the local record store. WXRT gave me what I needed. I was glued to radio ever since.

2. Who are your mentors?

Patty Martin was the Music Director at 'XRT for eight years. I was AMD at the time. She showed me a lot about the business. Although I was an assistant she never treated me as one. I learned a lot from her in those years and I still do. We are close friends.

Norm Winer has been the biggest influence in my career. I never cease to be amazed by what the man has accomplished and what he is still capable of doing. It truly is a privilege to still be working for him after all these years. When I think of radio, I think of Norm and WXRT. He's is a genius and is the reason I am still in this business. Without him, there would be no WXRT as we know it today. He really should be knighted!

Johnny Marr. I just love that man. If I ever get reincarnated as a rock star, I'd want to be just like him. One of the kindest, funniest and giving guitarists I've ever had the pleasure of being able to call a friend.

3. You have been at WXRT for 25 years! How would you describe the evolution of the music on the station over that time?

WXRT has evolved over the years and continues to do so. From playing the punk and new wave music of the '70s and '80s, the grunge of the '90s to the indie bands of today. What I love most about WXRT is how current we are with our music selection and the thought process that goes on behind the microphone. Never satisfied serving up the status quo, we always keep pushing the envelope. Time forces us to evolve and I think we keep getting better at choosing the right music to play that reflects the tastes and lifestyles of our audience.

4. Much of the staff has been at the station as long as you or even longer. It must seem like one big family! Tell us about that.

It IS one big family! The relationships I have with the programming staff is longer than any other relationship I have ever had. Together, we have been through marriages, divorces, births of children and deaths of parents. We really are one big family with a common goal. We're here to make great radio, but it's way more than just a job for all of us. We care very deeply for each other. That's the truth!

5. What has been your biggest career highlight?

Wow, I have so many! Getting Keith Richards a drink. Lighting David Bowie's cigarette. Having Lou Reed call me an asshole and then apologizing. But I have to say the biggest highlight was when Norm and the rest of the office staff threw me a surprise 25th anniversary party this past summer. It was at the old station on the northwest side of the city, were we spent most of our lives. It certainly was the pinnacle of my career to be recognized this way by my colleagues. I have never felt so much love in one room as I did that night. I am still talking about how magical that evening was for me.

6. What is your biggest challenge at the station?

To have a weekly music meeting. (joking!) The challenges change from day to day when you are programming a radio station - it's live radio! You never know what will happen in the world on any given day that makes you change focus and becomes a higher priority.

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

Not so much a constant though my career but in life as a whole: Be honest with people and do right by them.

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

Find another career. No, honestly I would say work as hard as you can and love it at the same time. I believe those two things are what make one successful at anything: Hard work and passion.

9. What do you think of the current state of the radio?

Radio has never been more relevant. We have an obligation to our community to keep them informed on all fronts, whether it is music or news. Radio needs to serve its listeners. Being "local" has never been more important in this era of instant gratification. I still think radio offers way more than what you can get on the Internet or an iPod. We have personality!

10. If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?

I'd be a gardener. I like to dig in the dirt, nurture plants and watch them grow.

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

Traveling as much and as far as I can.

Last non-industry job:

I was a print machine operator for International Harvester

First record ever purchased:

Meet the Chipmunks

First concert:

The Kinks at the Aragon Ballroom, 1977

Favorite band of all-time:

Hands down, The Rolling Stones