10 Questions with ... Ian McCain

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started at the pirate radio station KRCK-FM in Omaha in 1989, and have worked at Alternative stations in Chicago, Salt Lake City, Kansas City, Tulsa, Omaha and Lincoln. Beyond Alternative, I have been the Music Programming Manager for AOL Music Now where I created and maintained various formats and projects, and also did some brief but important stints as a production director for a cluster and programming some format flips to CHR, Hot AC, Urban AC and Jack-FM along the way.

1. You started at WLUM 12 years ago. What stands out the most from your early days at the station?

 Less Gotye now, what's up with that? 

2. How much has the station changed?

Obviously, a lot has changed over the decade -- music, imaging, staffers come and go occasionally -- but the passion for creating a great Milwaukee radio station, super-serving our listeners/users to create one of the most unique and fun Alternative stations in the country is one thing that has stayed consistent. 

3. Give us the 411 on the music and imaging on FM102/1. 

Michelle Rutkowski is the OM/PD and makes the decisions on the music. We all seem to mine and search for new music here at FM 102/1, and Michelle has always got an open mind to hearing uncharted, new artists and releases we drag into her office. It's always a matter of how it fits into the overall brand of the station, not just always what's charting. With the imaging, it's a subtle approach with the production, which is still high quality, it's more about the writing. The team here is really funny, and it's usually a little insane when we get together to write imaging and promos, but the stuff that sticks and makes it to air is right on point with our brand in Milwaukee. 

4. Tell us about your role as APD/Digital Director.

It's an interesting position, and we (that is the collective "we" ... everyone at all stations) are doing a lot with a lot little nowadays. It's a position that takes on both — expertise in brand management and web development and analysis of the digital platforms to creating content on the platforms and the websites. As APD, I'm there as a right hand to a lot of day-to-day things. 

5. You also host PM Drive from 2-7p. How would you describe your show?

As I'm sure 98.7% of the people who participate in your 10 Questions answer, "I try to be as relevant and local as possible with a huge emphasis on the music." (This is the presenter's version of, "We're taking this one game at a time, I just want to give it my best shot, and the good lord willing, things will work out.) It's the same here. 

6.  What is your favorite part of your job?

Being able to come to work every day and laugh.

7.  What's it like working with the effervescent Michelle Rutkowski?

She's amazing to work with; she's got a real passion for the music, Milwaukee (she's even got a Milwaukee tatt), the format and her dogs. It's just a great feeling to show up every day and know you've got someone in the building whose got that same drive as you do (or more) running the stations. 

8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

The Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under The Bridge has been on the station since damn near the beginning, still tests well and will never... ever... EVER go away. In truth, it's that the one constant is change (except "Under The Bridge"), and if you aren't learning something every day, checking out your research, moving forward, keeping an open mind, reading the tea leaves a little, and challenging yourself, you could very well be left behind. 

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

Free breadsticks from Olive Garden. You know I'm right.   

10.  What would surprise people most about you?

 I don't like Star Wars. 

What are your favorite places to eat in the area?

The Milwaukee food scene will surprise people who have never been here; there are so many great places to eat. It's a Friday fish fry, encased meats, custard and burger town. Zaffiros Pizza is a dynamite thin crust tavern-style establishment that's reminiscent to Chicago thin crust (the real Chicago pizza). I can name six burger joints that I'd put up against most all others in the U.S. — don't get me wrong, I love a lot of other burger joints around the country, too, I'm just saying MKE burgers deliver. 

Favorite food?

Crab Rangoons, duh. 

Favorite drink?

Purple

How often do you get back home and what are your top priorities when you get back to Omaha?

Honestly, not much, I haven't been back for a while and when I do, it's just to see family and eat at the Tibetan dumpling pop-up that is unreal. 

Rank your sports teams in order of passion.

Arsenal, Cubs, Bucks 

Favorite new band over the past year?

Dehd, Khai Dreams, The Reytons, Wet Leg