Radio Disney DJ ‘Ernie D’ Martinez Dishes On Up-and-Coming Artists
 Courtesy Radio Disney |
Radio Disney‘s DJ ‘Ernie D’ Martinez has interviewed Mariah Carey, Selena Gomez and the Jonas Brothers, to name a few.
But his favorite people to talk to? Your kids.
“I talk to more than 200 kids a day during the show,” the creative director and on-air personality tells PEOPLE Moms & Babies. “They like to talk about themselves, share their stories. It’s always entertaining.”
And while anecdotes about silly siblings and funny parents are amusing, Martinez particularly loves hearing what his listeners — whom he calls “own little focus group” — have to say about music.
Not surprisingly, the name on everyone’s lips right now is Willow Smith. “‘Whip My Hair‘ is still huge,” he shares. “But when I interviewed her, everything I got from her was just so genuine. It’s like talking to a friend. And she’s 100 percent kid.”
But Smith has a lot of young talent nipping at her heels, including the band Mindless Behavior and singers Greyson Chance, Bridgit Mendler (above right) and China McClain.
“You always know what the trends are going to be based on kids’ requests,” Martinez explains. “They’re all about immediacy. They hear something once, they like it and they want it right then.”
That doesn’t mean hot stars like Gomez, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Far East Movement or Taio Cruz are losing momentum, though. “You have to like Taylor Swift,” he says.
But what do you do when your kids are interested in not-so-wholesome stars, like the Lady Gagas and Eminems of the world? “As a parent, I don’t try to influence my kids’ sounds,” says the father of three.
“Kids right now, they’re going to follow what’s hot and what’s cool, but if they’re listening to something you don’t really approve of,” it’s OK to steer them toward more PG-rated choices, he shares.
Just be sure not to overwhelm them with music they may later grow to hate. “My parents tried to cram Spanish music down my throat,” he says, laughing. “But not all parents are as pushy as mine.”
Catch Martinez daily on Radio Disney. Just go to Radio.Disney.Go.com to find your local station!
— Kate Hogan
