Former state assemblyman Stan Statham is the president of the California Broadcasters Association. Before participating in a panel in Fresno that asked whether California is too big-and should be split up into multiple states-he talked Bakersfield, his career as a DJ, and why he wishes there were more days in the week.
Q. If you could be anyone in history, who would you be?
A. Well, not Tom Cruise. Maybe Denzel Washington, or is that too superficial? Abraham Lincoln.
Q. Who gave you your most memorable interview?
A. Alex Trebek from Jeopardy! He wanted to ask me if I was serious about dividing California. And as a result, he actually put the question of dividing California on the show.
Q. What’s your favorite thing about the Central Valley?
A. I’ve always been in love with Bakersfield, probably because I have a very close friend down there who got me involved in politics-and for that I’ll never forgive him.
Q. What’s the last secret you couldn’t keep?
A. A little something about my previous personal life that I had to relate to my present, beautiful and loving wife.
Q. How do you take your coffee?
A. With cream and sugar.
Q. What kind of music do you like to dance to?
A. I love Motown. I used to be a DJ in the ’50s and ’60s. The Supremes, Diana Ross, The Miracles, Marvin Gaye-it doesn’t get better.
Q. Where have you found inspiration?
A. In the ’50s I wanted to become America’s most famous DJ and play rock ’n’ roll on the radio. That didn’t work out. I was very inspired by trying to get into semi-show business, but I had to get into politics instead.
Q. How do you procrastinate?
A. I’m actually not a procrastinator. When you procrastinate, you can’t do things.
Q. How would you describe your style?
A. I like my style to be non-confrontational, relaxed, but hopefully intelligent. You have to sell yourself in order to get something done.
Q. What do you wake up to?
A. I’m in my early 70s, and tragically I wake up now to almost instantly getting on my laptop to find out what’s going on in the world. There has to be a better direction to take.
Q. What’s the best day of the week and why?
A. I don’t have a best day of the week. My job, representing all the radio and television stations in California, allows me to me come and go. I love every day of the week. I want more!
*Photo by Sarah Rivera.