Microsoft, others tap music veterans

Seattle PI | at | by Mike

Like many Microsoft employees, Kyle Hopkins and his team bring years of experience to their jobs. Unlike many others, they won't be found debating the finer points of Windows coding or SQL Server database security.

But if the subject is the musical similarities between the Germs and the Blood Brothers, then this is the right group.

Hopkins -- also known as DJ "Kid Hops" on KEXP-FM -- leads a group of music experts, disc jockeys, producers, journalists and musicians responsible for editorial content and programming on Zune Marketplace. The online music service works with the Zune device, Microsoft's bid to take on Apple's dominant iTunes and iPod combination.