Rick Crandall interview

Jeremy Levy back with you to write about another one of my interviews about Colorado radio.Rick Crandall is the program director of KEZW 1430 radio. The station is now called Cruisin 1430. Rick also hosts the 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. shift on the station. As I have talked about in some of my other blogs Cruisin 1430 plays 60’s and 70’s music during the week and on the weekends they have different talk shows.I first started listening to Crusin 1430 in 1997. Back then the station played 50’s music. Frank Sinatra was one of the singers that they played a lot of. My parents and I were at a friend’s house helping him move to another house and I was listening to a boom box that I had brought to the house with me. I didn’t know that there were other radio stations besides 630 KHOW. I started flicking around the dial and came across 1430. The show that was on was the Warren Byrne restaurant show. I thought that the only restaurant show out there was Mike Boyle and the Mike Boyle Restaurant Show.The first time I heard Rick Crandall was him doing commercials for the Warren Byrne Restaurant Show. I found out later he did the morning show at the station and I found out that he did the Health show called the St. Joseph’s health Show on Thursday evenings from 6-7. This show had guests that were doctors for the St. Joseph’s Hospital to come on and talk about different topics. I learned a lot of things from listening to this show and I am sure the other listeners did as well. In the fall of 1997 I heard the station grow and have more talk shows including The cooking show with Nancy Merrill, The Mr. fix-it show, and Ask the Garden Pros. Another show I remember was the Cherry Creek Travel show. There also was another talk shows about pets plus retirement investing shows. During the week Rick has brought on such talent as Pat Mcnolte, Murphy Huston, the legendary Hal Moore, and Wayne Yafee. These DJ’s have brought great things to the station and I really appreciate Rick bringing these wonderful talented people to the station. Rick has also brought on some great producers to the station such as Rick Keading, and Janine and Mark Archer. Now they have more talk shows on Sundays as well. My favorite show on Sundays is the Real estate new show hosted by Lane Lion. I would describe the station as being around friends and great conversation.Here is my interview from Rick.Jeremy Levy: Rick, how did you get started in Colorado radio and how did you start with Cruisin 1430?Rick Crandall: My first shift in Colorado radio was on Christmas Day in 1987 on Kosi 101 FM. I put up the real to real tapes. Later in 1988 I was hired as program director of KOSI radio. I was doing mid-days back then.JL: When did you start being the program director of Cruisin 1430?RC: That started back in 1991. In June of 1991 I took over mornings on what was then KEZW 1430. This was the adult’s standards station. I have been the program director ever since.JL: Do you have any memorable broadcasts that you have done or any memorable events that you have been a part of?RC: Yes On Memorial day of 2000 I did my show from Normandy Beach in Normandy France. Then a year and a half later I did my show from Pearl Harbor. The point of this was to pay tribute to all of the Colorado’s World War 2 veterans that have served in the war. These 2 broadcasts really had a big impact on the people living in Colorado. A lot of the veterans got to share their story which was a big thing. Those 2 broadcasts were fun and emotional at the same time.JL: I bet they were. The reason why I started listening to Cruisin 1430 is because of the Saturday morning programming. My favorite show is the Mr. fix-it show. How has that show been doing in the ratings?RC: It’s been doing okay. Saturday morning shows like the Mr. fix-it show get all grouped up together. The station gets a ton of phone calls and the Restaurant Show does as well. Both Paul and Warren have been doing it for so long people trust them to give them the answers to their questions. They offer great advice. Since they have been around for so long it really speaks to their ability to connect with the listener.JL: What would be your advice for someone wanting to get into Colorado radio?RC:Radio has changed so much you need to be up to date on facebook and all of the newest technology. All of the new technology is very important in social media. The other would be find out what is unique about you. What can you do that no one else can do What can you offer that no one else can offer and be that person. Just be yourself.JL: What are one or two strengths and what are 1 or 2 weaknesses in Colorado radio today?RC: That there are people here that have been doing radio for a long long time like Peter Boyles and Hal Moore. Denver is one of the big radio markets People can get pretty protective of their space and that would be a weakness.We don’t do as good of a job working on more community events as a radio stations.I really appreciate Rick Crandall doing the interview with me. This interview is coming at a perfect time because this upcoming week is Rick’s anniversary at the station.Happy anniversary to you Rick Crandall! I always enjoy listening to you and Crusin 1430.Thanks for tuning in.Jeremy Levy