Straight From the Mouth

102.7 KIIS FM's Dave Styles. He thought it was funny and it rhymed. He said, "That's what you are right? Your name is Geena and you are Latina." Jojo started calling me that on-air and it just kind of stuck.

Interesting move for you in SD. You were with AJ's Playhouse; very successful. Then mgt. comes to you and says they want you to be part of another morning show in the market. Any hesitation at first?

Any kind of change is initially scary. I had grown used to working with AJ and the rest of the team. They were my comfort zone and my family. But we all need change sometimes and with change comes excitement. So I was ready!

Did they let you meet and hang out before making it final? Do you recall each others first impressions?

Geena: Frankie and I were both originally hired in San Diego around the same time five years ago. Me with AJ's Playhouse and him with his night show. Being that we were both in a new city, not knowing anyone, we quickly became friends. So before our new morning show, we had actually been really good friends for almost five years. My first impression of Frankie was that he was extremely motivated, hard-working, and family-oriented.

Frankie: I agree with what Geena mentioned! We bonded well when I first moved here as we were both in the same boat. She more from LA right before I moved here from the East Coast. She quickly took me under her wing and showed me how to adjust to the new city! We have been good friends since!

Who else does the show with you?

Geena: Sean "Sonic" Leckie serves as our producer. He is also the station's night DJ. He actually was a co-host with me on AJ's Playhouse so we've worked together before which made the transition very easy. He's an extremely creative person and is one of the hardest working people I know.

How would you say this show is different than AJ's Playhouse or other shows in the market?

Geena: I think we are a young morning show who actually lives the "life" of local San Diegans. We are out all the time at all the local events,

of a young adult in San Diego we are able to relate to San Diegans more than others.

Name other morning shows that impress you?

Geena: AJ in the morning. Ryan Seacrest and Ellen K. Big Boy's neighborhood in LA. Mark and Kristin KOST 103.5 in LA. The Kidd Kraddick Show. The Bert show in Atlanta. Mojo in the Morning. Dave, Shelly, and Chainsaw. Jeff and Jer. The Kevin and Bean show. The list goes on and on and on. I look up to and respect a lot of shows. Especially those who have been doing what they have been doing successfully for a long time.

Frankie: I am a big fan of RAMIRO AND PEBBLES as well as MATTY IN THE MORNING in Boston. I grew up listening to them and love the "realness" they bring. I learn daily by streaming those shows each morning!

(Geena) Do you think it tougher or easier now being a female host compared to when you first got started?

When I was first hired, luckily, I was a bit naive. I don't think I really understood what I was getting myself into so I didn't really feel too much pressure. I just kind of did it. Plus, AJ was so good at teaching me and never putting any pressure on me that I never really felt any stress. But now that I've been doing this for a little longer I feel it is a bit tougher now. Maybe it's because I know more now. Maybe it's just because I was so naive when I first started. Sometimes being naive isn't a bad thing I guess.

(Frankie) Is this your first morning gig? Outside of getting up in the dark, what's been the most dramatic adjustment for you?

This is my first morning show gig! The most dramatic adjustment for me is learning to wake up at 3:30am each day! Haha! It's different doing a morning show than a night show in regards to the fact OUR LIFE becomes OUR CONTENT!

What's the daily routine for putting your show together? Who does what?

Geena: We all email each other ideas every afternoon. Then we meet every morning before the show and agree on what we think will be the best topics that day and in what time slots. I put together all the entertainment segments which isn't too difficult since I'm obsessed with all that stuff anyway. We have been taking things one day at a time, trying to learn what works and what doesn't.

Frankie: Geena said it all right there. We put our brains together to come up with ideas, content, and bits! Some stick better than others! That makes each day full of new excitement!

Geena, you came close in the Regis & Kelly Women for a Day competition; Top 10 in Pop Crunch' Sexiest Women in radio. Given your very camera-friendly looks and appeal, do you think TV is something you'll eventually do?

I would never leave radio for TV. I love radio. I love being able to express myself in my own way, through my own words. And I especially LOVE not having to dress up for work every day and not having to put on make-up. However, if there were TV opportunities that I could do in ADDITION to radio I would definitely be open to it. I love trying new things and TV is something that I do enjoy doing (besides the hair and make-up part).

I've never asked this question, but are relationships/marriages harder for a radio guy or lady?

Geena: I think they are harder for guys. Guys in radio sometimes feel like they have to put up some kind of "ladies man" front. Guys definitely have more female listener attention which could cause problems in their personal relationships also. The only problem I've ever had is dating guys who couldn't handle that I was more "successful" than them or so they thought.

Ever said something on the air that caused an explosion back home?

Geena: One time I talked about how I had kicked out my cousin at our Thanksgiving dinner because he was too drunk and I immediately received about 17 text messages from my aunt (his mom) who was extremely UPSET that I would "air our family's dirty laundry." Luckily, most of my friends and family live in LA so they don't hear all the things I say about them except when they are listening on IheartRadio.

And now that you've both worked together for several months, name one secret about your partner that listeners would be most surprised to know?

Geena: In relationships, Frankie is afraid of commitment. I don't think he will ever get married let alone admit to "having a girlfriend." Poor girls. He also doesn't like change. He only got rid of his 10 year old car after he crashed it and had no other choice and has been living in the same apartment by the beach since he's moved here. Growing up is ok Frankie ;) (Don't kill me Frankie for revealing these things).

Frankie: I've learned that Geena is like a mom, even though she has no current desire to have kids! She will put Sonic and I in our place when its needed. I learned fast when, during our first month, she texted me "Go to bed, quit trying to do everything!"