I, Novell of RadioJingles.co.nr, had a chat with Ricky Roo, Creative Services, KDWB. Ricky does song writing, producing, remixing, and voice imaging. And had worked with some of the biggest names in the industry including Chris Stevens of TM Studios.
I find Ricky to be one among the most talented, witty and funny persons I’ve met. Let’s get to know him more here.
Novell: What is your complete name, position or main task, and which station do your work for?
Ricky: Rickyroo. Creative services. KDWB.
Novell: In relation to being a Creative Director, can you give a backronym for KDWB (like for you K stands for … D for …. etc)
Ricky: Killing Dwarves With Batons!
Novell: Did you really dream of being in radio when you were still small?
Ricky: As far back as I can remember.
Novell: I understand you did some band class in middle school and joined band in high school? Who inspired you to be interested in music? Is your family really musically inclined?
Ricky: My family has the rhythym of a drunk epileptic penguin. I’ve always had a thing for music, I guess. That, and a lot of people told me that I looked like the mailman. I’m not exactly sure what prompted me to join the middle school band. I only remember my father threatening my life because the trumpet cost $200. I actually wanted to play the slide trombone, but my arms were too short. Damn my Italian/Irish genes! We like to keep our beer and spaghetti very close.
“My musical abilities made me a great club DJ, and my skills as a club DJ make me a better producer” |
Novell: According to your website profile, I noticed that you transitioned from doing traditional music to being a club DJ which eventually landed you on a radio gig. Tells us how DJing opened the doors for you in radio?
Ricky: I had a good friend who got a job doing overnights at the local CHR station. I would hang out with him pretty much every shift he did. He picked up a few appearances at a nightclub so naturally I went along. (I snuck in; I was underage of course!) I quickly became hooked on the club DJ’s job: working the crowd, the light show, the beat mixing… I then started making DJ friends around town and eventually landed my own gig in a bar. Radio took a back seat. (For the better, I might add.) My musical abilities made me a great club DJ, and my skills as a club DJ make me a better producer.
Novell: How long and what did it take you to realize that you’re more into production than receiving song requests
Ricky: A man can only take so many requests for “Sixpence None the Richer”.
Novell: You picked up some production skills, who was your mentor in producing? What were the most important lessons you learned in production?
Ricky: As far as the production aspect, I idolized (caution: cliche’ alert!) Eric Chase. He was the best that I had heard so I emulated his sound as best I could. Once I had gotten close, I started to form my own sound and style. As for writing, I owe everything to my former PD Mike Kaplan at WJLK Monmouth Ocean (currently at The End in Seattle)
Novell: Fast forward to present, you seem to be doing a lot of things now, song writing, producing, remixing, and voiceover? Which one of these is closest to your heart?
Ricky: Song writing and making tracks/beats. Hands down.
Novell: You are also with KTLK which is Newstalk, which is more demanding (or which one requires more focus on copy, creative, production skills) when it comes to production, KDWB (which is CHR) or KTLK (Newstalk)?
Ricky: Both are equally demanding.
“Working with Chris Stevens at TM Studios is great for the creative juices.” |
Novell: Tell me about Roomixx Productions and your freelancing with TM Studios.
Ricky: Roomixx productions is basically a halo for my production, song writing and voiceover work. It was also an excuse to make a really cool logo. If you need beats, help with lyrics, image or spot production, or voice work hit me up. Working with Chris Stevens at TM Studios is great for the creative juices. I’ve helped with the Jack Pack service as well as contributions to a few jingle packages. Such a great team of people.
Novell: Who do you look up to as inspiration in voice imaging and in production as well.
Ricky: That’s a tough one to answer as I will certainly leave people out. I’m inspired by anyone who does not always reach for the low hanging fruit. It may surprise you but I look outside of the broadcast industry for a great deal of inspiration. I’ve learned many signature tricks from listening to music producers. BT, Tiesto, Timbaland, Tricky Stewart, Pharell, and Dr. Luke to name a few. Listen to one BT record and you’ll get 4 to 5 ideas for a promo. I guarantee it. As for voice imaging, I’m incredibly fond of voice guys who’s name begin with an S. Steve Stone, Scott Matthews, and Sean Caldwell.
Novell: Given the chance to travel in a parallel world, how would Ricky Roo be living his life now.
Ricky: As a famous chef
Novell: Favorite gadget.
Ricky: TiVo-HD.
Novell: Worst movie seen.
Ricky: Howard The Duck. Happens to my favorite movie as well. LOL.
Novell: If you were a comic book superhero, what would be your super powers?
Ricky: My super power would be my ability to never gain weight. I would be called the Krispy Kreme Avenger. Apparently “The Spleen” was already taken. (Damn you, Paul Ruebens!)
Novell: What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
Ricky: An exorbitant amount of lettuce, celery, beef, chicken, cous cous, jello pudding and cat medicine. I’m on the South Beach diet, my girlfriend loves pudding, and my cat is sick.
Novell: Why are manhole covers round?
Ricky: How dare you ask me an old Microsoft job interview question! I’m a Mac. Next question, please.
Novell: (giggles)
Novell: If aliens landed in front of you and, in exchange for anything you desire, offered you any position on their planet, what would you want?
Ricky: Chief male prostitute. Preferably in the upscale section of town.
Novell: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?
Ricky: A Jerry Ferrara, John Cusack, George Clooney hybrid. P. S. I’d like Morgan Freeman to read my eulogy.
Novell: If you were to write one song for a Britney Spears and Kanye West collaboration, what title would you give it?
Ricky: “Coitus Interuptus”
Well, there you have it, my interview with Ricky Roo, Creative Services on KDWB. You can catch Ricky on his website, www.rickyroo.com. There, you can listen to some of the stuff he did. Such a great talent indeed. You can also check out our previous feature for Ricky, here. Read the rest of this entry »
Dom Nero is the Creative Services Director of Hot 97 WQHT New York. Spotlight is on Dom as he joins Ryan Drean in the latest episode of the The Producers Podcast on RyanOnTheRadio.com. The new episode is a two-parter, with the first part focusing on imaging and the second on technical aspects.
Looking for a great package that fits your needs, get Stewart Priest Production and avail its famous Presenter Pack. Presenter Pack is meant for presenters, but it’s not your cookie-cutter package. What you get is 10 liners, with multiple mixouts and versions, and you also get talk up beds, sweepers, and ramps. 
Jake Kaplan is a Los Angeles based voice-over talent and producer. As Production Director at the world famous KROQ, Jake’s voice and production is heard by over 2 million people weekly.
We’ve seen and heard Dave Foxx, Creative Services Director of Z100 New York being interviewed a handful of times. But there has never been an interview that’s upclose and personal as this one. Nick Parker of NickParkerLive.com chatted with the Prod God himself inside his studio.
Clients always want value for their money. And more often than not producers/VO guys face tremendous challenges from radio stations who want to fit in as much information on a 30-second radio commercial,promo or a 10-second sweeper.
After doing a fill in work at Los Angeles’s Talk Radio 
