10 Questions with ... Karoline Kramer Gould

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Relatively new to radio, I got my start when I worked for my husband's successful Internet radio station, where I was a DJ. After graduating with a Masters in Computer Technology from Kent State University in 2005, I took over as MD for our Internet station. This led to my current position with WJCU.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I was always interested in radio, but decided to focus on other careers (I was even a professional actress for a time). When I had the chance to work in this field I was delighted and hope to never look back.

2. Give us the history of The Heights.

When Mark Krieger (GM of WJCU) came to my husband and me to discuss flipping to a Triple A format during dayparts on WJCU, we were excited to take the brand we had created (under LegatoCafe.net and City Internet Radio) to terrestrial radio. I took over as MD for WJCU, building our library based on City Internet Radio's database of over 3,000 songs.

3. What would surprise people most about the station?

With the exception of Mark Krieger and me, all of the staff is some of the best volunteer college students out there at John Carroll University.

4. What has been the station's biggest accomplishment so far?

Cleveland's Scene Magazine listed WJCU as the best college station two years in a row.

5. What do you like best about your job?

Hearing new music and meeting the artists we play on The Heights.

6. How would you describe the station's sound?

We have a true eclectic mix on The Heights. I tend to go for music that is very noncomm but we also LOVE the blues in Cleveland, so you will always hear that on our station.

7. What stations do you like to keep track of?

WXPN/Philadelphia, WXRT/Chicago, WFPK/Louisville and WRLT/Nashville

8. What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?

Best: Don't focus so much on the charts; go with what you know works best for your station. The worst: Don't draw attention to yourself; follow the pack.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

Snuggle-time with my five-year-old son.

10. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I'd like to focus more on artist interviews -- hearing about their lives and not only the music they make but the music they love.

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

I belong to a non-profit organization that recreates the Middle Ages and Renaissance (the Society for Creative Anachronism.) In that group, I portray a Hungarian woman from the early 1000s. My focus in the group is theater (from pre-1500s) and I also am a storyteller and performer. I also know how to weave, sew and play the harp.

Last non-industry job:

Code monkey/Web designer

First record ever purchased:

U2 "War" (I may have purchased a Sean Cassidy album before that, but will deny if asked for more information)

First concert:

U2 (War tour)

Favorite band of all-time:

U2 (see a trend?)