|
Work Space: Radio DJ digs his gig |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Erin Frustaci
|
|
Wednesday, 30 August 2006 |
|
|
|
|
 You probably would recognize his voice before his face. Hans Brody is one of the many voices behind the face of Clear Channel Radio of northern Colorado.
“I actually fell into radio by accident,” he said.
Brody, 25, got his first earful in high school while working on the yearbook video.
 “I was voicing the stuff when my teacher said I had a good voice and should be on radio,” Brody said.
And sure enough, that’s where he ended up.
He got his first job in the biz by walking into a radio station for an informal interview. As luck would have it, he was hired on the spot.
Deep and steady, his voice is transmitted on airwaves from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays on 96.1 KISS-FM. Sometimes his voice is disguised as a Samuari guy for a phone commercial or some other alter ego, but his personality still shines through.
“I really don’t see myself doing anything else, except maybe trying out the record business,” he said.
In addition to being on air, Brody is also the continuity director and traffic and  creative assistant.
“I don’t think there is one person in this building who does one job from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.,” he said. “There are so many people doing so many different things.”
 While he hasn’t exactly achieved star status yet, he said it was a little weird at first to share his life with so many people on the radio. He has learned to watch what he says a little more because he lives with two co-workers.
 “Anything we do on the weekends, I can expect will be on the morning show,” he said.
Still, he absolutely digs his job. His favorite thing is interacting with listeners and giving away free stuff. Plus, the music is a big draw.
——
VITAL STATS
Name: Hans Brody
Age: 25
Company: 96.1 KISS-FM and Clear Channel Radio of northern Colorado
Title: Continuity Director / Traffic & Creative Assistant & On-Air DJ
How long have you worked there? Four years in northern Colorado and seven years with the company
——
IN HIS WORDS
What is it about this job that makes it challenging?
Nothing is EVER the same as the day before. There’s always revisions that need to be done to commercials. We always have to work a couple days ahead. There’s always something that needs a little retouching.
Makes you get out of bed in the morning?
As like most 20-somethings, Coffee. Nuff said.
Things that impress you?
People who go the extra mile, or when you notice someone doing something nice for someone else.
Things that don’t.
When people boast about anything. Egos bug me. Nobody’s that cool, except Bob Costas.
How do young/new employees get ahead?
By making things happen. Sometimes people stand around or wait to get a call to do something. You have to make things happen yourself and create your own opportunities. Ask “what can I help you with?” instead of “is there anything to do?”
Did you ever think in a million years you’d work here?
In this brand new state-of-the-art facility, no. I knew I’d wanted to do something in media though.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you do?
I’d probably be in college still to get my bachelor’s, then go off and teach English in Japan.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done while at work?
I was setting up a remote at the Greeley Stampede a couple years ago, and I had all my equipment plugged in and rolling when I noticed a tingling feeling in my arms. I was getting shocked because the sprinklers turned on and were soaking my equipment. Not my fault, but still kinda stupid.
Smartest?
I went to Los Angeles for a creative workshop in December 2004. It was hosted by radio legend Dick Orkin. He asked me on-stage to read a script in front of company big wigs and about 300 folks from across the country. I even pointed out to him that there were some misspelled words in the script. I got a couple laughs and then Dick told me “Just read it...”
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever done to make money?
I was one of the Slapshot mascots during the inaugural Eagles season, lots of older women pinching my butt, that was weird. Brewfest one summer was the worst, 97 degrees outside and about 120 in the suit. In a word, ug.
Any interesting anecdotes?
I was producing “Rodeo on the Radio” at Cheyenne Frontier Days my second summer in radio. I had to get all “cowboy’d up” and did the play by play of the Wild Horse Race right in the middle of it all. They’d throw it to me down in the arena and all I could say was “Some guy just got stomped in the face! Back to you...”
What’s the one thing you wish you could do on the job that you can’t right now?
Be outside more; I’m chained to my desk almost all day or tied up in the studio.
What do you do during your breaks?
REHYDRATE; I talk for a living so I’m always within arms reach of a Nalgene bottle full of ice water, or a Red Bull or coffee. And I usually get on the phone, page my friends and then head outside for a bit.
What’s one thing about your job you would do, even if you weren’t paid to do it?
Any of our big promotions when the whole staff turns out to help, like when we do KISS-mas Wishes. We’re at the mall for about a week straight collecting holiday presents for all the charities. The outpouring of donations from complete strangers is really incredible.
Name one thing in your life that really prepared you for your job.
My mom says that I’ve been “doing voices” since I was a little kid. That explains why I’m always a pirate, dog, or a Samurai voice guy on commercials.
What’s the biggest payoff in your job?
Giving away free stuff. I remember one time I gave away a pair of Snoop Dogg tickets to a guy over the phone. It was the best phone call ever, he was screaming so loud, and you could hear his girlfriend in the background yelling “Wooo! Drop it like it’s hot, baby!”
Are you the boss? Do you think you should be?
Not the boss. He does have a really cool office chair, but I’m definitely not ready for that much responsibility, but maybe someday.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
Usually I’m with the same people from work, just in a different setting. Throwing darts at the bar, camping, watching/playing hockey, poker.
Pets? Family?
One of my roommates has a Black lab named Brew. My parents live nearby, so I get to see my two dogs a lot.
Favorite TV shows.
“The Simpsons” is my #1, “Entourage”, “Amazing Race”, “Daily Show” and “No Reservations” on the Travel Channel.
Movies.
“Shaun of the Dead”, “Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels” and “Back to the Future”; I’ve seen them a million times and still watch them every time they’re on.
Books.
Currently: “Kitchen Confidential” by Anthony Bourdain — lots of behind the scenes stuff about restaurants... Why you should never order a steak well done, which day of the week is the best to buy fish, etc...
What Web sites do you have bookmarked?
Myspace.com — 100 million people can’t be wrong, but it’s a damn good chance 94 percent of them are under age 18; orbitz.com — I’m always researching my next big trip, just gotta get the time off work; and iTunes— it’s not a Web site, but it’s always open and running all day long.
Where do you play?
Wherever there is enough dartboards and barstools to gather all the friends around and occasionally Black Hawk.
Go out to eat?
When I can afford it, PF Changs and Bent Fork at Centerra are awesome. More my price range: Chipotle.
Favorite spot?
Rock Cut in Rocky Mountain National Park and this really cool lake in Mt. Zirkel Wilderness... Backcountry camping is the ONLY way to go. | Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. |
|
|  | "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth." | |
|  | We're not that bright, even though in our own little world, we're geniuses. We like 80s hair bands and one-hit wonders, but among us we have respectable tastes, too. Metallica, Iron Maiden, U2. Pursuit of all things trivial is a lifestyle, not just a game. We like some sports, love other sports, and can find something to say about anything. We watch TV and movies and we've read a book or two, even a few classics (Yes, Classic Comics count!)
We call it insight, you call it what you will. | |
|  | Felix Wong is an outdoor enthusiast living in Fort Collins. A mechanical engineer by day, he is especially passionate about bicycling, running, and backpacking. | |
|  | Hola Amigos! I'm Sandra. I like to believe that people are 70 percent good and 30 percent dumb. I'm stickin to that story. Reading this blog might make you want to be good, but probably just dumb. | |
|  | Donovan Henderson is editor of NEXTnc. | |
|  | Here at Nextnc we have some characters. Get a sneak peak behind the curtain and find out what amusing antics our staffers get themselves into on a weekly basis. | |
|  | What is up FoCo?
I am a recent college graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After recieving my B.A. in English and Mass Communications this past August I moved down to Colorado.
I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and heavy metal. My hobbies include reading and writing, music, movies, and getting drunk. Some of my favorite contemporary authors include Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Kurt Vonnegut. My top movies are anything directed by Kubrick. I enjoy listening to anything that rocks.
Right now I am just trying to get to know Colorado and FoCo better. Mostly in order to find the best drink specials on each day that ends in Y. So if you know where I can get a cheap drunk on, let me know!
--Drew | |
|  | Life's little morsels of inspiration, observation and encouragement seen through the eyes of the Nextnc reporter.
| |
|  | Ms. Giles currently lives in Colorado where she stars in her own private reality show. She writes aphoristic accounts of her life, taken completely out of context, and embellished with characters and situations disguised to resemble something close to interesting. | |
|  | over and out | |
| |
