What musical experience most set you on the path to a career in radio?
In 1978 when I was 7 years old, my family moved to Austin from South Florida. I was immediately inundated and fascinated by Austin’s music culture and concerts. My parents loved music too, so we attended countless concerts together. Possibly my first Austin concert, was Peter Frampton at Municipal Auditorium (now the Long Center), Friday, August 17, 1979. We had seats in the back. And I remember the audience looked pretty wild, unlike anyone we’d seen or knew in South Florida. But apparently my mom trusted the ‘70s rockers at the show, cause as I walked the aisles trying to get a better view, the sea of people picked me up, and just handed me forward until I was sitting on some random person’s shoulders on the front row. Frampton and band, and the communal experience, made a HUGE impression, happening 2 days after my 9th birthday.
Between the countless concerts at the Erwin Center, Aqua Fest, Austin Opera House, Liberty Lunch, etc. influencing me and my desires … and being hypnotized and inspired by the music on KUT 90.5, K 98, and KLBJ 93.7 (featuring some of the best DJ’s in the USA, like Jody Denberg and Loris Lowe) … I got bit by the music bug pretty early.
What’s your favorite Austin music experience so far?
Too many to count to have a favorite, so here’s a few: Run DMC playing a 2-3 hour set in the Texas Ballroom in the Texas Union, watching Bowie give a performance masterclass from the 4th row at the Erwin Center on his Sound + Vision tour, and enjoying bands at Liberty Lunch like The Reivers and Bad Mutha Goose in the late ‘80s. I’m eternally grateful for Tim Kerr (Big Boys, Bad Mutha Goose) for encouraging me and so many others to “go start your own band!”
Why public rather than commercial radio?
Ironically, when I was a kid and my mom and dad listened to KUT 90.5, I would squirm in the back of the car when the station wasn’t playing music. My dad *loved* talk radio and news, so I was raised on radio (public and commercial). I love making people happy by turning them on to music they’ve never heard before. Commercial radio station’s often have 500 songs (or less) you hear over and over. Public radio is the last bastion of free form radio and music discovery on radio.
How do you spend your time when you’re not spinning records on the air?
I enjoy DJing vinyl (‘60s soul, bubblegum, garage rock, ‘70s junkshop glam, power pop, hip hop, and shoegaze/dream pop) around Austin and at venues and vinyl bars in Japan. I also play bass guitar in Schatzi, Moving Panoramas, and occasionally sit-in with other friend’s bands. And of course … dogs! I love being a dog dad to rescue dogs. #adoptdontshop
Finish the sentence: “Austin Music Is ….”
… the incomparable soundtrack to good times, not just in Austin, but good times enjoyed by people around the world.