Steve Serrano spins some of today’s biggest hits on Mix 93.3. (Photo courtesy of Steve Serrano)
By: Jacob Elyachar
Steve Serrano is one of the busiest radio personalities in the Midwest!
His duties include hosting the Mix 93.3’s late shift (7 p.m. to 12 a.m.), co-hosting segments for KCWE-TV and emceeing Kansas City Comets games. In addition, he also deejays at local events as part of Mix 93.3’s mobile DJ and Production Company.
Steve took time away from his full schedule to participate in this latest edition of A Conversation.
Jacob Elyachar: When did you get interested in radio?
Steve Serrano: I started becoming interested in radio when I was a freshman in college at Northwestern Missouri State University. I was also really involved in the T.V. station and the school newspaper, but also at that time, I started jumping into the radio side of things. My mentors stated: “Hey! Give radio a shot. I think that you will enjoy it.” I was hesitant to the idea because you always hear these stereotypes of what radio people were all about. I got pushed into it my freshman year in college and I really enjoyed it. I was able to work with the college radio station and the NPR radio station. At the same time, I was able to intern here at Mix 93.3, and worked my up to become a full-time on-air personality.
JE: You mentioned that you worked at Northwestern Missouri State University’s radio station, KZLX 106.7 FM. What were the lessons that you learned there that helped shaped your career?
SS: I think for any broadcaster, no matter if you are working in either radio, T.V. or newspaper, the more you can do it, the better you can become. For me, especially in radio, the more I can be on the air every single day, the more I could make mistakes and become a better broadcaster from those mistakes. I was lucky enough to work at that college radio station and the NPR radio station and at the same time, be able to intern at Mix 93.3, to see what radio was about.
For me, what helped was being able to start so young and begin to grow my career plus, continue to make mistakes and still to this day, I am not the best broadcaster or the best radio personality in Kansas City, let alone the state of Missouri. But for me, it is about continuing to get better and to constantly improve.
JE: What attracted you to Mix 93.3?
SS: I grew up in Lee’s Summit and when I was with my family, we listened to Mix 93.3. I think Mix 93.3 is a heritage radio station in Kansas City. So for me, it is always having that connection with radio station. Currently, right now, we have such a great staff. Our morning show (Rocket, Teresa and Ponch) works very hard to be who they are as being a face of Kansas City. At the same time, our midday personality Jenny Matthews is phenomenal when it comes to going out in public and meeting lots of people. To round out, our afternoon host Dave-O, is another personality that really connects with Kansas City and I think that is what Mix 93.3 does well. We connect with numerous types of people and listeners in the Kansas City area.
JE: You host the late show for Mix 93.3. For those listeners who have not had the chance to listen to your show, could you please describe what you do during that programing block?
SS: I want to be interactive. I think radio has changed with iPods and satellite radio and for us, it is being able to connect with those listeners and get them on the radio and let them feel that they are a part of the experience. We let them chose the songs on the radio. I do the Top Seven at 7, a Mix It or Nix It (which is a segment where listeners get to choose whether they like the song or not) and then, we do another all request countdown. It is all about interaction and connecting with those listeners.
Throughout his tenure at Mix 93.3, Steve Serrano was able to interview a variety of different artists including Katy Perry. (Photo courtesy of Steve Serrano)
JE: What have been some of your personal highlights working at Mix 93.3?
SS: I think I have had numerous personal highlights. Obviously, to start in Kansas City, was a highlight from the start of my career and continuing to have the ability to get better. I am very lucky to have the opportunity to interview and speak with a lot of celebrities that have helped me develop as a broadcaster. I had the chance to interview Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas, and for me, it is not so much about having the opportunity to interview those celebrities, but it is to become better as a broadcaster and I want to continue to get better. For me, it is not only a learning experience but it is also supposed to be fun and that is what we do is that we have a lot of fun.
JE: You mentioned earlier the diverse group of personalities that you interviewed. Do you have any memorable interviews?
SS: I think that the most memorable interview that I have ever done was with Justin Bieber. He jumped on the radio and hosted Top Seven at 7, he hung out with myself and our afternoon host Dave-O for about an hour, and we hopped in the car and drove and went bowling. A week later, he performed at Red, White and Boom in Kansas City and a week after that, he was all over Oprah and is the biggest sensation that we know in pop music right now. That was something so cool to see an artist start out so small and become a massive superstar.
JE: You recently added television to your resume. What drew you to become a co-host for KCWE-TV?
SS: I have always had the passion for TV since I was in college. But it was a little bit harder for me to get into TV, than it was for me to get into radio. I always had that passion to be a sports broadcaster and to be an entertainment guy, when I saw that opportunity, I decided to audition for the job and I got it. I have been with KCWE-TV for five months and I have been enjoying it. I have worked really hard to create a good demo that will hopefully let me progress in the television industry.
JE: Are there any similarities or differences that you see between radio and TV?
SS: I see it a lot of each, especially when it comes to simple interviews. In radio, it may not take as long and we do not have to deal with a lot of the lights and the presentation. But, when I jump over into the TV side of things, it takes me longer to cut a 15-second promo to promote stuff. It would take me two hours to get all situated in front of the green screen and get the lighting and make-up right.
JE: In addition to all of your responsibilities, you are also the voice of the Kansas City Comets. How did you get involved with the Kansas City Comets?
SS: I got involved with the Kansas City Comets through Mix 93.3. They reached out to Mix 93.3 and we wanted to build a partnership with them and I think that is what we have done. I do the emceeing at a lot of the games and I also provide the entertainment for the Comets and that is a great way to connect with my listeners and my audience. They see me out there working with the Comets and it has brought great exposure for both Mix 93.3 and myself.
JE: If you had the chance to sit down with aspiring broadcasters and media personalities, what would your advice be for them?
SS: The best advice that I always give is to start early and continue to work at it. Expect not to be the best broadcaster or writer from the beginning, it is going to take time and you are going to make a lot of mistakes but you are going to continue to get better. As long as you see improvement, you are going to be on the right track. Early in my career, I made a lot of mistakes, but I saw those mistakes, learned from them and strived to get better. For future writers and broadcasters, it is important to get out there and get involved with your community. No matter if you are working at a T.V. or radio station or you have a blog, if you market yourself and doing those things for yourself, you are going to help yourself in the long run.
To connect with Steve Serrano on social media, check out his Facebook & Twitter.
Do not forget to check out Mix 93.3’s website: http://www.mix93.com/
