10 Questions with ... Chris Meadows

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I grew up in radio. Recorded my first commercial at 4 years old, got paid in donuts (Will still record your commercial for a donut). My first on-air shift I was 12. By my late teens I was fixing things that broke around the station. I took time away to go to college and then got back into radio after. I was the market engineer and on-air at NNB in Anchorage for 5 years. Then spent a few years in Hawaii as the Director of Engineering for H. Hawaii Media. For the past 7 years I have been here with Last Frontier Mediactive in Fairbanks and now Anchorage.

1. How did you first become interested in radio?

I grew up in a radio family. My dad Bob has been in radio his whole career. He started on-air, then programming, then owning a station, and running a few clusters. Now he sells traffic software. Both my brothers are in radio as well. We've tried real jobs from time to time, but this is way more fun.

2. You wear a lot of hats at Last Frontier Mediactive. Tell us about your position and what a typical day is like for you?

The main portion is engineering and IT duties. I also program our two Anchorage stations, 94/7 Alternative Anchorage and Movin 105.7, and am on air weekdays on 96-9 The River. My day always starts with emails and phone calls, then music programming, imaging, promos. It usually ends with the air shift. I always have one project or another planned or ongoing.

3. What's it like working with Michael Dukes?

It's a blast. We laugh way more than you should at "work." Michael is creative and passionate about this business. Our company culture is way more collaborative than most any other I've been at. I chalk that up to our CEO Perry Walley. All other managers I've ever worked for say "let me know when it's done". Perry says, "let me know how I can help." Michael is cut from the same cloth. I've seen both of them take on anything from cleaning the office, running a board, to helping me pull wire, to closing big sales. When the guys at the top are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure we are successful, it makes you want to step up your game.

4 Let's focus on the Alternative brand for a moment. Give us the 411 on 94/7 Alternative Anchorage's music and imaging.

Alternative Anchorage doesn't take itself too seriously. The imaging is funny, snarky, self-depreciating and fun. The station is always music focused. I think of it like that friend you hang with that you know is cooler than you.

5. What does New Music Discovery mean to on 94/7 Alternative Anchorage?

Like any station we want to play songs you know and love. At the same time, we want to be the place you listen when you want to hear the next song you'll love. For New Music Discovery we want to share the best of the new songs and artists with our listeners.

6. How has the station grown since switching from Active Rock back to Alternative almost 4 years ago?

We've gotten tons more positive feedback than negative from the switch. Our listenership has increased dramatically. With the Alternative change it seems like the station found its voice. It fits in with Anchorage's vibe perfectly.

7. What may surprise people most about 94/7 Alternative Anchorage?

In today's radio world, that we are local. We are family owned, and all the folks you hear on-air are actually right here in Anchorage. It comes across in their work that they can relate to the listeners. They are having the same experience as the listener that day, be that a blizzard or sunshine.

8. What is your favorite part of your job?

Every day is a surprise. Yesterday I had to jump on a plane and go rebuild an automation computer. Taking something from broken to working is rewarding.

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

Coffee.

10. What would surprise people most about you?

I think I might be the only person that graduated from Texas State with a dual major of Theatre and Economics. I like to think it's because I use both sides of my brain, it's probably just means I'm indecisive.

What are weekends like for you?

I like to spend every minute of them with my wife, Stacey. We still play tourist around Alaska. Depending on the season, which may be taking a train ride to Talkeetna or fishing in Homer.

What are your favorite places to eat in the area?

Moose's Tooth Pizzeria, Double Musky, Kincaid Grill

Favorite food?

Mexican

Favorite drink?

Dark Beer

Rank your sports teams in order of passion.

1. San Antonio Spurs
2. All the rest.

First record ever purchased?

The soundtrack to Good Morning Vietnam. Still a great record, awesome tunes and Robin Williams was a legend.

First concert?

The Beach Boys, with John Stamos on drums.

Favorite band of all-time?

The Beatles