An Interview with Sam Malone: The Most Loved Radio Personality in Houston, Texas

You can imagine how happy I was when Sam Malone, Houston's best known and loved radio personality, agreed to do an interview with me. I felt very fortunate that he would take time out of his amazingly busy schedule to answer a few questions for me. Currently Sam Malone hosts the morning show on KHMX at 96.5 on the FM dial from 6:00 am to 9:00 am and a radio talk radio show on KTRH AM740 from 10:00 am to 12:00pm. Before he started he joined KHMX, he hosted a morning show on KRBE 104 FM from March 31, 1995 to March 4, 2005. I have been a faithful listener and have followed Sam Malone where ever he goes.

Sam Malone was born in Philadelphia in January of 1963. His original plan was to become a stock broker and he earned his bachelor of business administration degree in finance from Temple University. He soon found he enjoyed being on the air much more than trading shares. His radio career took him to Sarasota, FL and Buffalo, NY before he found his way to Texas. Sam has been very active in the Houston community for over 12 years and he supports many charities. He is a frequent guest at Eagle Scout Court of Honors and Sam has also enjoyed working with the Humane Society, where Sammi the pig was named for him. From all of the charitable work Sam has done you can see that he loves helping out in the city that has been extra generous to him and his family. Sam and his wife, Denise, have been married 15 years and have an above-average 7-year-old named Jake. Sam is the true family man. I have enjoyed listening to him talk about his "Princess" Denise for many years. It is heart warming and wonderful to hear a radio personality talk about his family with so much love. His wit and humor will brighten anyone's day and get you off to a good start in the morning.

Kat: What is a day in the life of your job like?
Sam: Well, I wake up pretty darn early..around 0350 am..After work I try to get to the gym. Then it's the big NAP!!! Naps rule!!

Kat: Is your work schedule hard to balance with your family life?
Sam: No..it's not hard. I told the folks here that I'm a husband first, a dad second, and then a radio host. If you go by these rules, it's not difficult to balance these two.

Kat: Being one of the most loved radio personalities in the 4th largest city in the USA , is there anything more you wish to achieve career wise?
Sam: I'd like to include more television into the gig. We get great guests in -studio and I'd like for y'all to see what I see.

Kat: Is there one person/caller that stands out in your mind over the years?
Sam: Having Paul McCartney on the show was the all time home run in my book.

Kat: What is your least favorite thing, about the work that you do as a broadcaster on the radio?
Sam: Waking up in the darkness 5 days a week.

Kat: What would be your wish list of changes that you would like to see made in broadcasting in general?
Sam: Bigger , cozier chairs in the studio

Kat: Are you enjoying American Idol this season?
Sam: I'm a huge Idol "geek"

Kat: In this current television season, which shows are your favorites?
Sam: The Unit, and the Sopranos

Kat: Are there employment opportunities for aspiring air personalities? Do they come frequently, or is it tough to land a job like this?
Sam: It can be a very tough job to land. It's actually kind of the job you have to create.

Kat: What attracts people to this position, and what keeps them here?
Sam: It's a job that encourages fun.

Kat: What is the recommended education and training for now and for the future if someone wants to become a radio personality?
Sam: I tell college students that a degree in History, English, or the sciences is actually more beneficial that a Mass Communications degree.

Kat: What are the essential skills for your job?
Sam: The gift of gab..

Kat: What are the appropriate personalities for this job?
Sam: You can't be shy! You have to be outgoing, and have a bulletproof ego.

Kat: What would be some insider tips for landing a job like this?
Sam: Schmooze, schmooze schmooze!

Kat: What is the hiring process? What is the first thing employers look at?
Sam: They actually consider the sound of the person. Some people, like my self, have landed jobs w/o exp.

Kat: Do you enjoy talk radio or music radio more?
Sam: It's like which kid do you love more.. I love 'em both equally!

Kat: Outside of your job, what interests do you have?
Sam: Sleeping! After my family, it's my #1 interest.

Kat: What would you like for the readers/listeners to know about you?
Sam: I don't act like I'm 43 years old!