Christopher Douridas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Christopher Douridas (born September 16, 1962) is a popular DJ at Santa Monica, California, radio station KCRW, where he hosts New Ground, a three-hour program on new music. He is also an actor, a television presenter and a Grammy-nominated soundtrack consultant.
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[edit] Biography
[edit] KERA
Douridas was born in Columbus, Ohio. After attending North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) where he was involved in campus radio station KNTU-FM, Douridas went on in the 1980s to work in Dallas, Texas at public radio station KERA where he produced an innovative show called Sound Sessions with Abby Goldstein which featured many local bands. This show gave a platform, recording resources and eventually compilation CD exposure to bands such as the Dixie Chicks. At the time the only other broadcasts that featured local bands were on KDGE.
[edit] KCRW
In the 1990s Chris Douridas became known as the host of KCRW's daily three-hour new music program, Morning Becomes Eclectic, bringing a personal character to the show. He was also the station's music director at the time. When he went independent of KCRW in 1998, he maintained a link to the station by presenting a two-hour program called "Ground Zero", which was renamed "New Ground" after the 9/11 attacks. Later, the show was extended to three hours.
[edit] Soundtrack work
Douridas worked on the soundtrack of such films as "American Beauty", "Shrek 2", "As Good As It Gets" and the Austin Powers trilogy. His work on 1999's "American Beauty" brought him a Grammy nomination.
[edit] Actor & iTunes
Douridas' acting credits extend back to the 1984 Television movie The Jesse Owens Story. In 1986, he played the trigger happy gunner known as "Rick The Prick" in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2. He then portrayed a jealous Christian in 1994's Sexual Intent and guested on an episode of "Ellen" that same year. He had a role in Waterworld with Kevin Costner. Douridas hosted Sessions at West 54th on PBS.
Douridas has worked with iTunes, launching the iTunes Originals series and serving as curator of iTunes Essentials.
[edit] Drugging and kidnap arrest
On January 6, 2006, Douridas and an alleged accomplice were arrested on suspicion of placing an unknown substance in a 14-year-old girl's drink and carrying her out of a bar. Witnesses reportedly saw this and flagged down police. The girl became ill and was taken to a local hospital and released. Douridas posted a $1 million bail and was released as police awaited toxicology reports and decided whether to file charges.[1]
In a press release ten days later, Santa Monica police indicated he had been booked for poisoning, kidnapping, and additional charges.[2]
KCRW, the Santa Monica-based NPR affiliate that airs Douridas's Saturday afternoon radio show, New Ground, pledged their support for Chris in a statement: "Chris has been with us for 15 years, during which he has interacted with thousands of people, men and women of all ages, and has been entirely appropriate at all times. We believe in Chris as a person, and we think he has strong character. And we also think people are innocent until proven guilty".[3] "I am completely confident that I am going to be vindicated and that I am going to clear my name," Douridas said in a release. "I am beside myself with gratitude that KCRW stood behind me on this. Along with my family and friends, they know me better than anybody".[4]
Douridas released the following statement to KCRW volunteers during the station's biannual pledge drive: "This is Chris Douridas, host of New Ground. Ordinarily I'd be raising money for KCRW right now -- but I'm in the midst of a fight to clear my name from serious allegations that (have) been leveled against me. I believe that I will be exonerated". Six months after being charged with these allegations, Douridas was eventually only charged with felony possession of cocaine. The other more serious charges were dropped for insufficient evidence. "Police and prosecutors did an exhaustive investigation, and after a complete review we determined the appropriate count was filed," said Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the district attorney's office.
Douridas eventually pleaded no contest to the drug charge and is on three years probation, as per California law.[5]
