Reno Dudley

How did you first hear about Austin Community Radio (KAZI)? How long have you been involved there and when did you become Station Manager?

Being from Austin, I grew up listening to the station. As an artist manager, the first radio play I ever got for a client came through KAZI, so being here is a full circle moment for me. I took over as station manager on 9/4 of this year, so I’m still fairly fresh to the role.

Tell us about the duties of your job as Station Manager as well as how the music programming at the station works. What part of your job do you love the most and what part do you find the most challenging?

Honestly, my role is whatever is needed that day, of course the focus is on the business and operations (underwriting sales, staffing, partnerships etc), but I have hopped in to engineer shows or even put music in when needed. Our programming process is pretty straightforward, we filter submissions to our music director who then has a panel to review and decide what to do with the music and where it fits in our programming. Our amazing team of Robyn Wright (Music Director), Cedric Turner (Program Director), and Marion Nickerson (Tech/Production Lead) along with our staff do amazing work.

SXSW is this month. What sort of activities does KAZI do in conjunction with or just generally in support of the festival?

SXSW is a huge opportunity for those interested in the music industry in general, we have an official music showcase on 3/13 at Rozcos, and we are the media sponsor for a poetry night, and will be involved in a few more ways such as partnering with the Downtown Austin Alliance, doing interviews, and supporting/amplifying our local artists wherever possible!

How did you first get involved in ‘the music industry’? Were you a student MD or have any music-related jobs along the way on your road to Austin Community Radio?

I come from the music management/business side of things. I started out doing promotions and marketing, having the opportunity to work on projects involving Jon B, LMFAO, and Future, after which I went into artist management with my business partner/client/close friend Jonathan Deas (who won a GRAMMY for his work on Gary Clark Jr.’s “This Land” Album), we had the opportunity to work with some amazing artists to help grow their careers, which lead to me accepting a position as an adjunct professor at Austin Community College teaching artist management and assisting with teaching the next generation of music business professionals. So yea…it’s been a ride!

Who is an artist or band that you’ve discovered in the past year or so that has become one of your favorites? What is it about their music you love?

This may be the hardest question just based on how eclectic my tastes are, I’m going to say The Philharmonik, his Tiny Desk performance made me a complete fan of his and the retro sound he brings is refreshing.

Do you have an all-time favorite artist or album you never get tired of listening to?

J. Cole is definitely my favorite artist, as far as albums…man…”2014 Forest Hills Drive” by J. Cole, “Confessions” by Usher, “College Dropout” by Kanye, and “The Misedukation of Lauryn Hill.”

Who is an artist or band totally outside the realm of the music you play on KAZI that people might be surprised to know you love?

Alanis Morissette….Jagged Little Pill is a MASTERPIECE.

If you had the power to instantly change one thing going on in the world at the moment, what would it be?

Man…I would say ending the violence, there’s a lot of conflict in the world currently and many innocent people are suffering, it’s causing health, food, and familial challenges in the world.

What event in your life would you say has shaped you the most as a person?

I would say when I obtained my MBA from Lamar University. I come from a place where we didn’t see academic excellence on the regular, so achieving that degree was a big moment for me.

If you could choose, what time period in the past would you most want to travel back to visit and why?

Early 1300’s, I would love to see the Kingdom of Mali under the rule of Mansa Musa.

Do you have a favorite Austin restaurant that you recommend people try? Aside from a restaurant, what is a hidden gem or special activity in town that you would recommend anyone attending SXSW go check out that perhaps mainly only locals would know about?

I’ma give y’all a few:

1. TaterQue (see if the have the oxtails going)
2. Whip My Soul (Soul food…all the soul food)
3. Cajjun Eats (Garlic Parmesan Lamb Chop…you’re welcome)
4. Krab Kingz (I shouldn’t have to explain this…)
5. Ramen Tatsuya (Best ramen…period)

What in your life brings you the most joy?

Seeing people I care about excel, it’s amazing to witness journeys, see the peaks, the valleys, and how they lead to triumphs.

Lightning Round:

Dog or Cat? Dog
Morning Person or Night Owl? Night Owl
City or Country? City
Beach or Mountains? Beach
Watch TV or Read A Book? TV
Sunny or Rainy? Sunny
Restaurant or Home Cooking? Home Cooking
Pants or Shorts? Shorts
Warm or Cold drinks? Cold

Do you have any current favorite shows you’re enjoying/binging? How about a movie (new or old) that you’ve watched recently that you loved?

Severance, Invincible, and Solo Leveling have a chokehold on my life currently. As far as movies…gotta say “The Five Heartbeats.”

Finally, If you could have a lifetime supply of anything, what would it be?

Gummy Bears.