Kris McNeil Weekends EMAIL

I grew up in Brooklyn, right near the ocean in Sea Gate. I knew I wanted to be on the radio when I was eight, listening to WABC when they were a "top 40 music" station & keeping track of the weekly surveys. DJs like Dan Ingram, Gary Stevens & George Michael were the people I tried to model myself after on the radio (until I developed my own style). Country WHN was also a favorite station, with jocks like Lee Arnold & Del Demontroux.

I've worked off and on in New Jersey radio since 1986 (not counting one month in 1980 in northwest Jersey), finally moving here in 1994. I've been with my beautiful wife since 1992 (I made an honest woman out of her in '97), & we have an absolutely adorable 4-year old son, who's the light of my life! Nothing's better than just hangin' with him on a Sunday.
 
First job?
Working in the linen dept. at A&S Department Store at 16. Not a good place for me, I know zilch about bedspreads & pillows!  
 
Favorite childhood memory?
Being able to walk to the beach. Spending every day all summer, every summer there.
 
Favorite smell?
A tie: the ocean, & salami & eggs frying in my house as a kid.
 
Least favorite smell?
You're kidding, right? I got a 4 year old! You figure it out.
 
Favorite foods?
Tough one, so many. Crab cakes, good mac & cheese, potatoes (any kind), pasta (rigatoni & broccoli, spaghetti bolognese), cheese (pepperjack, muenster, feta), rice (try Rice-A-Roni Express), big salads (I use garlic powder instead of salt), cooked veggies of any kind. I am not a big dessert person. Give me more of the main course. Wait, I do like lime ice pops!
 
Least favorite food?
Rare meat.
 
Thing I'm best at?
Telling you the date any hit song of the past was popular. Drives my wife crazy: That I can remember, but the names of some of her family members (or half my co-workers), I draw a blank on, even after 14 years together.
 
Thing I'm worst at?
Fixing anything. Can barely change a light bulb. Not proud of this.
 
Person I'd love to trade places with?
Any WABC or WMCA DJ of the 60's & 70's. Too bad there are no time machines.
 
Other job I could do if I weren't in radio?
Teach. Of course, a degree would be helpful (I got kicked out of college for spending all my time at the school station, & not enough time actually attending classes). Also, telephone interviewing (yep, it might have been me calling for the Newsweek poll).
 
Woman's feature I notice first?
Her smile. OK, her legs, too!
 
Thing I'd like to change about myself?
My premature grey hair (I started going grey around 20). Great for a scientist or professor, not so much for someone in show biz. I won't dye it, though.
 
Favorite country artist?
A tie: Dwight Yoakam & Shania Twain.
 
All-time favorite country song?
"Rose Garden", by Lynn Anderson.
 
Favorite sound?
My son's laughter.  
 
Favorite part of my job?
You kiddin'? I'm playing music & getting paid for it! Also, meeting listeners. I'm looking forward to meeting you!