Apparently, the Name Chris Hays is somewhat common in cyberspace, as I have found the occasional message asking “are you the same Chris Hays who …. “. So far none have hit the mark, but this inspired me to include a short bio as part of my slowly evolving home page, so here goes:
I started out as a child. Possibly the only really unusual thing about my birth was that I was born in the City of Los Angeles. To hear most people who live here talk, that is a rare occurrence.
Another thing that was unusual about me, according to my mother, is my fascination with things electrical (especially light switches when I was still crawling). Apparently this curious fascination ultimately evolved into my current status as a bit of a technology junkie, with a major in telecommunications.
But I digress. I grew up in the suburbs. Most of my young years were spent in the town of Manhattan Beach, which is about 18 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles. I graduated Grandview Elementary, Center Intermediate, and Mira Costa High school. My interest in Theatre started in high school. It also became my major, which in certain ironic ways was a bit of a diversion along my path, but one that proved valuable nonetheless. My father worked as a video man for CBS television in Hollywood, my mother taught school in Redondo Beach. My father is probably most to blame for my fascination with radio and electronics. At age 11 with his assistance (and that of another local Ham operator) I obtained my Novice class amateur license. This hobby was enjoyed through high school, got dropped for a time when I went to college, and was picked up again after I settled down and married. But I was always a tinkerer and learner, and became quite proficient with technology during my younger years.
I began college at El Camino jr. college in the Gardena area, and began majoring in theatre. I transferred to California State University, Northridge, and continued with theatre. But a curious thing happened. I discovered the campus FM station (currently KCSN 88.5) and began doing extracurricular things there, which included not just technical stuff, but programming classical music, and hosting my own blues-oriented music program once a week. I also became the contract engineer there for a time. Ultimately, I did complete a BA and MA in technical theatre (specializing in lighting and sound), joining the growing ranks of boomers who aren’t doing what their degree says they should be doing. What with Reagan in power and arts funding taking a beating, it was probably just as well. It did instill in me an appreciation for what performance is all about, that has helped me immensely in the broadcasting world.
While I was still at CSUN, I got my first job in commercial broadcasting as a part time vacation relief ‘engineer’ (nowadays they call them ‘board operators’) at KRLA in Pasadena. I also worked three summers at the once mighty KHJ and the FM side, KRTH (now far mightier than the AM sister). Ultimately I accepted a full-time position at KRLA, as the chief engineer was surprised one day to find out that I knew what to do with a soldering iron, my fate was sealed
During the 70’s and 80’s I did some growth work (EST, Earthplay(now defunct), got Rolfed). In some ways this was a most interesting and fun period. And it was a real contrast to the Vietnam era on campus. My fondest memory is turning a corner and finding myself walking into a battalion of LA’s finest in full riot attire. Apparently they had just finished pushing back a demonstration at the Bank of America across the street. As a kind of sad epilogue, the ‘free speech’ area on that campus is now occupied by a Carl’s Junior.
KRLA became co-owned with KLSX. Greater Media traded them to CBS. I hung in there until Disney acquired KRLA. Somewhere in there, I married Vicki from whom I acquired a stepdaughter Sheila, who is now a college graduate herself. And she’s married and has a daughter and son of her own. That apparently makes me a grandfather.
On December 1, 2000, I left the CBS organization and followed the 1110 facility over to ABC/Disney radio. There I’m involved with KABC-AM, KLOS-FM, KSPN-AM, and KDIS-AM. In 2007, Citadel acquired KABC and KLOS and the ABC radio network from Disney for too much money. They didn’t survive the economic downturn and went into bankruptcy. The interest on the debt service is what killed them. The stations were acquired by Cumulus (in my opinion for still too much money, but less than what Citadel paid). My role these days is more toward Information Technology than radio hardware. I had begun to play with computers at CSUN back when they were behind a locked door and you accessed them via teletype terminals or punch cards. I guess I was hooked. I got an Apple II in 79 or 80 and grew from there.
I’m now retired, enjoying some travel, and of course I continue to tinker, including with web sites.
Well there is more than you ever wanted to know about me. I hope you found this time at least as wasteful as the other time you waste on the Web!
Peace!
Chris Hays (the one in Los Angeles, at least I think there’s only one here). By the way, I’m no relation to the Chris Hayes on MSNBC, but I do share his political views!