If you like your country with your coffee, then Stitch Mitchell is your man.
Mitchell, 56, is morning show host at KKXA 1520 AM, which goes by Classic Country KXA on air. (And soon will be simulcasting at 101.1 FM.)
Mitchell will co-emcee KXA’s Fifth Birthday Bash, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave. The “Down Home Country Round-Up” stars Marlin James and Friends including Christina Fowler, Dakota Neuman, Wes Jones, John-Mo Hargrove, The Sweet Iron Band and Aaron Crawford, plus comedy and birthday cake. Tickets are $15. More at www.1520kxa.com.
Talk about yourself.
After working for a few stations back in Iowa, I was hired in 1985 at KUBE-Seattle. I also worked at Magic 108 and KPLZ, all in Seattle. After that, I was hired to do “Morning Drive” in Las Vegas and had a very nice run there. Then off to Star 95.5 in Portland, Oregon, and then back to Seattle at KBSG. And finally, hired here seven years ago and helped “flip the switch” when KXA signed on five years ago.
If you remember “WKRP in Cincinnati,” that’s been my life. And I wouldn’t change one thing.
I’m also the sixth of seven children. And six moved out to the Pacific Northwest years ago. I’m blessed that we all to this day live within minutes of each other. Our love can never be broken, and we owe it all to our mom. She’s a spry 91.
Talk about your show.
The day starts early: Up at 4 a.m., at the studio be 4:45, prep until 6 and live till 9 weekday mornings.
It’s amazing how time flies doing a live show. The music is the true star, and why wouldn’t it be? We play some of the greatest songs ever recorded, from true legends in the industry. Most you’ll recognize from just one name — Willie, Waylon, Johnny, Hank, Dolly, Kenny, Reba … you get the idea?
I do some features, like “Twin Tuesday” with one great song, two great versions of the song. Like, “The Race Is On” by George “The Possum” Jones, and by the band Sawyer Brown. Listeners vote for their favorite song, but unlike “reality TV,” we don’t kick the loser off the island, or the playlist as it were.
I also love “Fun Facts” and “Points to Ponder.” With respect to topics, it is very Snohomish County-centric. Seattle gets all the talk on the other 50-plus radio stations in the market. I’d rather talk about Machias — that’s a fun town to pronounce. We like to think of ourselves as “community cheerleaders” here in the North Sound.
Have you ever climbed a radio tower?
My mom doesn’t like me to swear, so I’ll say “heck no!” I’m not a big fan of heights. I sometimes don’t even like being 6-foot-3.
How did you get into radio?
I went to a small school in Iowa for radio and TV, but it is radio that I love most. Living your life on the air, I can’t imagine not being able to do that.
What’s your best screw up on live radio?
Honestly, I can’t even repeat the story in a family newspaper. Remember when I said my mom doesn’t like me to swear? Well, a very, very, very bad word left my mouth when the mic was hot. Can we move on now from this question?
What’s the future of radio?
I’m not liking the direction actually. Most are corporate run and by bean counters, not radio operators. I’m just thrilled, and thankful, that we are locally owned and are committed to the ever-growing Everett area and surrounding communities. That’s the way radio began — “serving the community.”
If you could have a drink with anyone alive or in history, who would it be and why?
Two fingers whiskey with Merle Haggard.
People would be shocked to know …
I am afraid of any pet, pest, insect or animal that doesn’t come called by name. I’m 6-foot-3 and check in at 215. So, I’m not a small guy, but critters and I don’t get along. I love dogs something fierce, but I’m still on edge if I don’t know the dog that is approaching. I was once attacked as a kid by a German shepherd, took some “stitches” and broke a collar bone and missed an entire baseball season. That still bums me out. It’s kinda like the elephant being afraid of a mouse type deal with me.
What’s your most proud moment?
I’ve worked with amazing people my entire career. But it’s been working with awesome organizations that really hit home with me. We recently worked with Habitat for Humanity Snohomish County on what they call a “build day.” I spent hours and hours on a tall ladder installing siding — and I have zero skills when it comes to that area. But every time I drive by that house just off 23rd and Broadway, I swell up with pride knowing I made a difference in some deserving family’s life.
What are you wearing?
Jeans and a white button-down shirt and a black sweater. And I never leave my house without my black Romeo Boots.
What are three things in your fridge?
Beer and mayo. Sorry, I couldn’t come up with a third.
What is your pet peeve?
Mean people. It’s perhaps from my Midwest upbringing but to me, opening doors for ladies, saying thanks to people in the service industries, waving at a neighbor and smiling at strangers seems like the common sense thing to do.
The Chat is a weekly casual conversation with ordinary questions put to local extraordinary people. Do you know someone we should get to know better? Send suggestions to abrown@heraldnet.com or call 425-339-3443.
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