KXO Radio AM1230 and FM 107.5

College years came along all too quickly and Pat found himself attending Grossmont College in El Cajon California, a suburb East of San Diego.  Like many students, he was not found of general education classes such as history and math. Classes that held his interest and charged him with a passion would be anything to do with radio and television broadcasting.  Pat found he could write and he could sell.  He was also more than a fair photographer by this time. For the younger generation reading this, Pat's early photography years were before the cameras did all the work for you. While going to school, Pat was fortunate and continued to develop his skills learned from his father as a photographer with the Chargers team. After graduation, with a degree in telecommunications, the young Pat's first job came in 1974 from KBLU-TV & Radio in Yuma, Arizona.  He acquired first hand experience from the ground up in a broadcast sales position.

A sales position in a small town like Yuma, Arizona may not have been what the young Pat Maestro believed or hoped would be his first big break in the broadcast business.  After all, he already had a who's who contact list and a college telecommunications degree when few young people could boast the same.  This opportunity turned out to be yet another star for Pat, precisely because it was a small market and a small town.  Pat was able to further his skills in areas other than sales.  He had opportunities to work behind the scenes as well as the "on air" jobs at the station. Pat was cross training before businesses had a term for it.   In a small market sometimes there is no choice.  When hired, you work at whatever needs doing even if you sometimes sweep the floor.  Pat's willingness to work and continued efforts to develop his craft were rewarded.

Lew Platt, a semi-retired broadcast personality at the time, took notice of Pat while working for KBLU in Yuma.  Lew had an extensive background in broadcasting management and promotions.  Lew was also Alen Freed's manager in 1954 and responsible for getting Freed a job playing Rhythm N Blues at Wins, in New York City.  If you are not up on your music and radio from that time, Alen Freed is known as the man who coined the phrase "Rock n Roll" and helped shape the future of popular music. The man who molded the career of Alen Freed was taking an interest in working with Pat Maestro. What a break.  Lew became yet another celebrity and very special personal influence in Pat's life and career path.  Lew arranged for Pat to start his own Oldie's Radio Show, which lasted 28 years.   

The early career plans of Pat Maestro were to gain more experience in the small market of Yuma and move to the larger Los Angeles or other large metropolitan broadcast stations.  He quickly discovered the pace in small market broadcasting at KBLU-TV & Radio and the small town of Yuma Arizona was much "easier going" to use his words.  The relaxed pace allowed him opportunities as a sales person that the larger markets would not have had time for. Along the way he also had frustrations and doubts about his career path.  Pat describes his major frustration in sales as being one of too much interference from management.  Sometimes he felt he had lost sales due to the perceived interference.

Pat Maestro currently works as an account representative in sales for KXO Radio in El Centro, California.  Those around him are likely to describe Pat as a person who is knowledgeable about the recording artists of the 1950's and 60's.  Pat's office walls are a who's who museum of friends and celebrities he has interacted with over the years.

Today Pat made a choice to stay in small market radio representing KXO radio sales. He has worked with KXO now for nearly five years.  "Working in sales is always challenging and rewarding." Pat comments.  Pat states, "I can basically be my own boss and my ability for a good income is up to me."  He is able to make a good living with much less stress than a metropolitan market and the costs of living are much less in a small community comparatively speaking.  In the small market radio sales, staff can be more involved in representing the clients after the sale.  Pat is often involved in the writing and the production of the on air commercials, ensuring the clients are well represented and achieving the goals set for the advertising campaigns. KXO is a place he looks forward to coming to work in the mornings. The atmosphere is positive and rewarding as well as challenging.

Pat also continues to do a radio show and can be heard on KXO featuring rare recordings of the 1950's and 60's from his personal record collection.  Just like the good 'ol days, interviews with recording artists are still a part of what Pat adds to his very branded and personalized radio show.  "There is a sense of close community and genuine friendship in small market radio sales." Pat professes.  Comments about his radio show are frequent and kind as he encounters people in the community who listen to his rare recordings radio show.  Pat's hobbies and personal interests have retained a close connection to his career interests in his collections of recordings and memorabilia from past radio and television stations.  On occasion, he can also be found making video recordings of weddings and special events or working as a D.J. playing oldies. 

When asked what Pat felt the qualities necessary to be a professional in this business? Pat replied, "To have the ability to accept disappointments along with success."