10 Questions with ... Brad Dolbeer

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Mainly in Portland -- KGON, KQFM, KMJK, then KMTT in Seattle for many years before coming back to KINK

1. How did you become interested in radio?

Always have been a music fan from as far back as I can remember. My dad had a fairly good record collection and I used to play "DJ" without really knowing what I was doing on the family Hi-Fi.

2. Who were/are your mentors?

Les Sarnoff encouraged me to get into radio when I was pondering it. Bob Ancheta took me under his wing when I was interning at KQFM. Tom O'Hair was an interesting influence when I was an intern, too. Dennis Constantine continues to be an influence and great teacher, as he's been for the last 16 years or so.

3. What do you like best about working at a Triple A station?

Triple A is the ultimate "Music Fan" format. The listeners, the artists and the people who work Triple A are passionate about music; otherwise they would probably be in another format.

4. What has been your biggest career highlight?

Besides getting this gig at KINK? Probably helping with the development of KMTT/Seattle when it was first getting off the ground.

5. Who would be your dream guest on the show?

Dylan or Springsteen, for sure. I'm not sure -- sometimes it's better to keep your heroes at arm's length.

6. Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?

I continue to work on my interview skills. Being a fan of Charlie Rose, it's an ongoing process. I think I'm getting pretty good at it ... certainly I've come a long way...

7. The station/cluster recently unveiled the new Bing Lounge. Tell us about that.

The Bing Lounge is an amazing facility. Everyone who comes by, from the listeners to the artists, has the same "jaw-dropping" expression on their face. I recently got to interview Les McCann and asked him if he'd seen anything like this. He paused and said "Germany ... I've seen one place in Germany, but nothing like this in the States." It's hard to fathom in this day and age, any major radio group having the vision to spend money on this kind of facility. Hats off to Alpha Broadcasting.

8. What is your typical day like?

I've got a pretty organized approach to my job. Certain days have music scheduling and music calls; others I have ongoing projects that are on a checklist. Then there's the air shift from 7p to midnight each night. The Bing Lounge keeps me from getting into too much of a routine. Sometimes we have two or three artists coming in the same day. I get quite a few of the "up and coming" artists to interview for the 10p-to-midnight segment of my show, "The Lounge After Hours."

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

The PPM has turned everything upside down. We have to figure out creative ways to make sure we're getting the "hits" on the PPM while maintaining our true identity as Triple A stations. Stations have to sell the product and not the numbers until the meters get to our audience's hands. There is a qualitative aspect to our audience that other formats just can't deliver. We have the most passionate, educated and loyal listeners of any format.

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

...laughing?

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

Living in the Northwest, I spend a lot of time outdoors - especially at the Oregon Coast. I love to camp and spend time with my network of friends. Portland has grown a lot in the 15 years I was up in Seattle; I'm re-discovering my hometown. The restaurants, movie houses and local music scene are among the best anywhere. Powell's books ... do I have to say anything more?

Last non-industry job:

Logistics Coordinator for Context Associated (herding 50 people for five days in a retreat seminar setting)

First record ever purchased:

Beatles "Revolver"

First concert:

Chicago ('71 tour)

Favorite band of all-time:

Little Feat