RADIO Song Sounds the Same." I remember thinking, If he could make people laugh with these silly segments, then I could hopefully one day too. Oliver X: Who are your influences professionally? AJ: It's hard to say just one person, because I think every radio person I've met has offered me some sort of amazing advice. Mat Diablo is one; Ghostboy and Prince Albert would be another. They really helped me hone in on my weird humor, and taught me the style of imaging (the pew pews and laser noises in between songs) that I still use to this day. Rob "Blaze" Brooks is a big one for me and countless other DJs. He made me the man I am today and no amount of Super Burritos could ever repay him. Mel [Flores] my old PD, who taught me that age shouldn't stop you from doing something and gave me my first chance to be an intern. She really influenced me. That woman still inspires me to this day. Chris Payne, who has kept me on my toes in the radio game since I was 16. Dead Air Dave is another big one. He taught me a lot about finding myself and being truly happy with who I am. My old coworker Pepper, who showed me that taking chances can work in your favor. My current OM/PD Willobee; I just read his RTT article from a few months back and you'll get why he's influential. That man is a walking definition of "There's a method to my madness." Casey McCabe and Jayn – who both started at KRZQ back in the day – they went to different markets and really inspired the younger version of me to kick ass and give it all I've got. I feel like I just gave an acceptance speech. [Laughter] Oliver X: I met you at the old KRZQ when you were just a teen in 2008. Take us way back to your early days at KRZQ. How was it being so young working in radio? AJ: Woa, hold the hell up, I've known you for almost 8 YEARS?! WTF, you've never sent me a Christmas card? Rude! [Laughter]. As I mentioned earlier, I was home schooled the last few years of high school, so my high school experience was carried out at the radio station. Which sounds like it would make me a degenerate, but it really matured me, taught 74 Reno Tahoe Tonight
me responsibility and how to deal with people in the work force. I’m shocked I didn't get into more trouble, to be honest. I don't think I'm the only person to ever be on the air at 16 in Reno, but I remember doing my first shift on KRZQ (Sundays 6a-8a) and thinking it was the coolest thing ever. I still do! I'm super proud that I was 16 and had an air shift. Oliver X: Lol! Aw, were you waiting by the mail box all these years on your Christmas card from me dude? Ha! Be careful now, or I might make you tell me about this character “Phat Ralph” on KRZQ back in the day. Was that you? AJ: Ha, ha! Yes it was Oliver! Phat Ralph was me – is me, I guess. I'll occasionally still do fill-ins for KRZQ. Oliver X: As Phat Ralph? Was that your first on-air persona? AJ: Yep! Phat Ralph was my first and really only persona. What you hear on POP now is the true me. Not that Phat Ralph wasn't, I just am more myself now. Oliver X: No doubt. Did you struggle to find your voice, as many jocks must do I suppose, before you felt you were truly communicating with your authentic personality? AJ: Totally! Both metaphorically and figuratively. I was a shy kid. I still am in some aspects, but when I was younger I was really bad. Makes you wonder