What musical experience most set you on the path to a career in radio?
Honestly it was probably at the age of 11 or so when I used to go down the street to my friend Mark’s house and we would play pretend DJs . We had an old portable record player and a little cassette recorder and we used to sit there and tape 2 hour radio shows in real time. We would mainly play 45’s 7 inch records because that’s what we spend our pocket money on. It was all the big pop hits of the day in the UK, so ELO, Blondie, Abba, Donna Summer etc. One of us would talk while the other one quickly changed the record on the old clanky record player.
What’s your favorite Austin music experience so far?
First time at Stubb’s. For Band of Horses, but it could have been anyone really. Its just such an amazing venue for live music, and it is just perfectly Austin. Its easy to take it for granted when you go all the time, but its the very essence of Austin and so unlike anywhere else..a mixture of indoors and out, a little quirky, with an amazing skyline behind it and always the promise of a great night just baked into the bones of the place. And it always seems to bring out the very best in whoever is up on stage.
Why public rather than commercial radio?
Having spent many years in Commercial radio in the 90’s and early 2000’s, public radio is just completely liberating as a music lover. Which is the reason we are all doing this. Because we love music. Commercial radio offers less and less for a music lover. Thank goodness public radio exists. We need it more than ever.
How do you spend your time when you’re not spinning records on the air?
I’ve been incredibly lucky to be able to follow two passions professionally on the air. So when I’m not playing or listening to music, I’m likely to be either watching or broadcasting the sport of soccer. I continue to work for ESPN broadcasting La Liga soccer..and I also watch a huge amount of soccer from around the world. I also play golf and poker, in both cases just for fun and in both cases at a very mediocre level.
Finish the sentence: “Austin Music Is ….”
Austin music is a national treasure. Seriously, this city still has the spirit, the soul, the vibe and the history that makes it unique. And for me coming from the music desert of Connecticut , it has been life changing.