10 Questions with ... Armand 'DJ Q' Flowers

1. What people have influenced your career?

My mother and father encouraged my music interest early on by purchasing my first boom-box in the fourth grade. My friend Greg Martin would send dub-tapes from Brooklyn, NY, and that was my school of learning about Mix shows, imaging, drops and engagement from 98.7 KISS-FM and 107.5 WBLS. I've been influenced early on by DJ Red Alert, Chuck Chillout, Kid Capri and DJ Marley Marl, because I was exposed to their Mix shows and they pioneered well rounded radio shows that set the tone for hip-hop culture.

My introduction started in high school with DJ John Martin and DJ Murda One mentoring me while they attended Indiana State University. After college, I relocated to Louisville, KY. DJ B Real, Mark Gunn, Phillip David March, "Brown" and Ben Davis were instrumental in my journey from Mixshow DJ to becoming Program Director.

2. How has becoming PD affected your life so far?

Being a PD isn't about just programming but leading your team to new heights and levels in their careers. It's more about team, connection, and being a teacher. Not being threatened by talent, but welcoming talent as part of your legacy.

3. What's the best advice you've ever been given?

"Don't let radio use you, use radio!" I understood that to mean, use your platform to reach as many people and leave as big of an impression as possible because radio is the best way to brand yourself daily, and reach the most people at any given time!

4. How important is it to listen?

Listening is the key to learning.

5. At what point in your life did you decide to go into radio as a career?

I transitioned to not just being a mixtape, club, tour or Mix show DJ when I realized I was missing the personality side by not having a full-time on-air shift and really building an organic following.

6. What's the coolest promotion you've ever been involved with?

Creating a Christmas promotion with Mar Brown (R.I.P.) and giving kids in my community one of the best Christmas promotions over the last decade with the best giveaway

7. If you weren't in radio, what other profession would you be in?

Music production! I still make beats on my MPC 2000XL or MPC Studio Models.

8. What's the one truth that has held constant throughout your career and life?

Everybody is not your friend. Real relationships are hard to come by. Be yourself and be a "straight shooter.

9. How do you balance your time between programming and being on the air?

If you love what you do, coming in early, and staying late pays off. Daily team huddles, show prep, scheduling, sales, programming meetings etc. make a full day.

10. What are you most proud of?

Giving my co-workers and community the vision that they can have a career in radio and being successful in helping grow the culture and community.

How do you see the future for radio?

Radio is the best local tool for information. The only thing that will change is people's listening habits and how they're exposed to new and charted music.