Justin Katz

Born and raised in Battle Creek, I graduated from Pennfield High School and Western Michigan University. At WMU, I majored in broadcasting and minored in business.

I’ve done basically every radio job in the business, mostly in the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek market; and have been on-air overnights, afternoons and mornings. I’ve also been a program director, music director and promotions director in addition to dabbling in sales.

Before rockin’ on 97.9 WGRD, I worked at 107.7 WRKR, 96.5 WFAT, 92.5 WZUU and 104.9 WRCC.

I stepped away from radio, though, and am now a financial consultant for a bank in the Grand Rapids area in addition to this weekend radio gig on ‘GRD rocks!

A Kentwood resident with a wife, baby girl and two dogs, I also operate a DJ business and do wedding receptions, private parties and corporate events. I certainly stay busy, but I’m very proud and honored to be back in radio on WGRD, where you can listen to me 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday and 7 to 10 a.m. Sunday. Thanks and cheers!

Favorite bands: Tool, Deftones, Parabelle, Breaking Benjamin and Chevelle
Favorite drinks: water, bourbon/whiskey, lighter craft beer, Bud Light and any free drink
Favorite TV shows: “Seinfeld,” “Jeopardy,” “Triple D,” “Real Time with Bill Maher” and “The Daily Show”
Favorite movies: “Casino,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Shawshank Redemption,” “Caddyshack” and “Dazed and Confused”
Favorite teams: University of Notre Dame, Detroit Lions, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Tigers

Typical Question: So what do you listen to?

Typical Answer: A little bit of everything. Now, there’s nothing wrong with diversity and enjoying different genres of music, but people need to talk about bands, artists, songs, lyrics, etc., plus it helps me get an idea of what a person truly likes and may even clarify who they are as an individual. I was frustrated with that typical answer, so I came up with my own question years ago that’s a great conversation piece, so please feel free to use it.

Question for you: If you were on an island by yourself and you got to choose five artists and/or bands you could listen to and you had access to their full catalog and also to any other bands’ or artists’ discography associated with them, who would you choose?

(Example: If you chose Nirvana, you get the entire Nirvana catalog, plus Foo Fighters, because of Dave Grohl, and Fecal Matter, because of Kurt Cobain.) Give it a try and see where the conversation goes …