10 Questions with ... Chris Mays

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

College radio; KZEL/Eugene OR -- Progressive Rock Program Director/on-Air; KZAM/Seattle -- Marketing Director/Program Director; KLSY/Seattle -- Program Director; KMTT/Seattle -- created station, Station Manager; KLLC/San Francisco -- Program Director; Marty Riemer Show Podcast -- Music Concierge; KINK/Portland -- Programming Guru.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I grew up in Ohio in the late '60s and listened to the very first FM AOR stations. I read about KSAN in Rolling Stone and developed a passion for radio as a listener. In college, I majored in Communications and was hooked during my first radio class.

2. Who are your mentors?

In general, my mother. She was a strong feminist and politically passionate. She brought me up to believe in myself and was a strong supporter from an early age. In broadcasting/music: Tom Donahue, Thom O'Hare, Ben Fong-Torres, Norm Winer, Melissa Forrest and Greg Nemitz because of their passion and inspiration. Scott Arbough at KBCO is my hero, as he's managed to maintain a top position at KBCO despite the odds the format faces in today's environment.

3. You and Brad Dolbeer have worked together before. Do you think you two will make a good team again?

Yes -- we already are! Brad and I have a special chemistry. And he's great at details and lets me do the final magic. We make a powerful team.

4. KINK has a very long history in the market, what adjustments are you planning to make at the station?

Balance the music slightly differently with a tad more bluesy rock than we have been playing in past years. Continue with the tremendous community service and outreach KINK is known for. KINK has a tremendous history and a great staff. If I can increase the amount of time our current listeners spend with us, it will be a home run.

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

The passion of the people -- staff, listeners, musicians, labels and clients -- and getting to meet the musicians, up close and personal. Our brand-new Bing Lounge is an incredible bonus at KINK. It's truly a state-of-the-art performance space.

6. How do you feel about the current climate of music?

It's wonderful... very fertile. Great new releases from so many bands! And there's a powerful local music scene in Portland. There is truly more wonderful new music available than there is space.

7. As the newly named PD there, what is your biggest challenge at the station?

Getting to know everyone. Asking "why" and unpeeling the layers of a 40-year-old onion.

8. Biggest challenge facing radio today?

Remaining relevant in the face of so many options for listeners' time and continuing the legacy of being an important "social networking" tool.

9. What has been your biggest career highlight?

I have so many. I am humbled by the excellent adventure radio has been in my life. Starting KMTT and building it into a formidable station? Living and working in San Francisco with the most excellent Greg Nemitz as boss? Being given the chance of a lifetime to program KINK? Developing and nurturing relationships that have stood the test of time? Staying up until 3:30 in the morning with Van Morrison? Where do I begin? Believe it or not -- Lars Larson (who works in the same building as me at Alpha) was my News Director at age 18 at KZEL in Eugene! Anyone who knows me well knows how ironic that is. Thom O'Hare once told me "We work with the same 100 people all our lives" ... and that has been blessedly true for me.

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

Well, I tried starting a flower shop ... and that was a blast, but I lost a lot of money. My game plan there was to create beautiful flower arrangements and visual beauty -- and shop wholesale around the world for gift items! If I could be successful at it, that's probably what I would still wish for as an alternative.

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

Gardening, reading, travelling, my dog, interior design, music and time with my daughter.

Last non-industry job:

Census taker

First record ever purchased:

Simon and Garfunkel "Sounds of Silence"

First concert:

Tommy James and the Shondells

Favorite band of all-time:

The All-Mighty: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band