Phil Maass

Phil heads up the production crew for in-studio and on-the-road recordings and live broadcasts. He also occasionally hosts KUNI's weekend afternoon "Folk Music."

Email: Phil Maass.
Phone: 319-273-6487 or 1-800-772-2440, ext. 36487

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Take 5 Profile with Phil Maass:

A little about Phil:
I grew up outside of Philadelphia. I have a degree in Art from Oberlin College in Ohio. Aside from Pennsylvania and Ohio, I've lived in Montana, California and Wisconsin. I got into the music business in Wisconsin 26 years ago. I've stayed in the business in the Midwest because I find musicians and technicians are more likely to help each other out than try to compete. That's not always the case but, it's often true. Even so, I'm often grumpy and cynical. I worry too much.

What is your favorite NPR/PRI program?
Mountain Stage and e-town because of the variety of performers both shows offer and the really great mixes they do. Although since World Cafe moved into their new studios in Philadelphia, I've heard some fabulous work from them. So they're gaining ground quickly. I wish they'd all share their secrets with me.

Why/how did you get into radio?
I ask myself that question everyday. Could it be the fame and the adulation of Eastern Iowa? Seriously, back in 1995, after 15 years of live sound engineering, traveling from show to show, I needed to make a change. To me, there has always been some magic in hearing a great performer live on the radio. I'd always wanted to try mixing live acts for broadcast. After all, it's a much larger venue than the average bar or festival. KUNI has a long tradition of live performance broadcasting, whether it's Live from Studio One, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony or the recorded segments on the Folk Show and Down on the Corner. KUNI allows me to work with a variety of artists in a variety of genres under many different circumstances. Being able to present those artists to listeners across half of the state makes me quite proud.

What is your most memorable moment with KUNI/KHKE?
Probably, getting my first Mississippi Valley Blues Festival on the air back in 1995. I'd come up with the idea of being able to run audio from both stages to a central broadcast trailer and put either stage on the air at any time. My boss at the time let me run with the idea. A good idea but a logistical nightmare for a novice radio guy. We pulled it of but, I couldn't have done it with out tremendous help from KUNI's engineering staff. Even now, with 11 years of experience, shows like that are still quite challenging.

What do you do for fun?
My wife and I have a house that was built in 1880 so that's a full time job right there. I still go out and mix live bands when I get a chance. I run a small sound, recording and audio supply business which, most years, supports my personal equipment needs. I repair road cases and some electronics. And I try to build furniture badly when I have time. Otherwise, I like minor league baseball games and try not to be too disappointed with the Cubs.

What, in your opinion, is the best aspect of KUNI/KHKE?
KUNI's commitment to live and locally-produced programming. I like the fact that I hear a lot of music not being broadcast any where else locally.