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10 Questions with ... Jessie Sabella
March 3, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
It all started by just constantly going to shows, every weekend, and sometimes on weeknights. Concerts, concerts, concerts. And then I thought WHOAH...I COULD DO THIS FOREVER! Ha so as I got older, my love for music grew deeper and deeper. My radio life pretty much started at Radio1045. I came into the station when it was only 2 years old, I was one of the first interns we ever had and I've learned everything I know from the people I started working here with. Starting from intern, then working on the street team, and then moving up as a board op, to overnights, to taking over The New Music Discovery Show on Sunday nights, to basically covering on-air shifts and finally getting a full-time spot!
1. How did you become interested in radio?
WOW! I have no idea how I ended up here (haha)! I was required to get an internship by my college in order to graduate, and since music was always my number one love, there was a radio station in my area that had a great show that I always listened to growing up - so I figured, why not apply for an internship there since it seemed fun? So I applied, got the internship, realized how much fun radio was and applied for another one at this new alt rock station in Philly called Radio1045 that basically replaced my beloved Y100 back in the day. I scored the internship and that's when my Radio1045 life started.
2. Why do you feel you were able to grow from intern to part of the full-time on-air staff at Radio 104.5 Philadelphia?
I started as an intern, so once I was done with that internship, I was on my own. I graduated college and ended up with a job in marketing at a small company and I pretty much lost my sanity working that type of job so I moved away to the beach, still not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. So I lived Ocean City, MD and waited tables. That summer of 2010, I came back to Philly to go to a 30 Seconds To Mars concert with a friend at the time, I ended up on stage with the band, and Wendy Rollins, my APD saw me from the balcony and texted me while I was next to Shannon Leto on stage. She said "Are you on stage right now? Look up." I looked at my phone, and then looked up, and she waved to me from up above and the next thing I know she told me to apply for a job at Radio1045, and I ended up on the street time! She's my musical guardian!
3. How did it feel to be called a "rock star" by your PD (John Allers) when you were promoted last month from weekends to full-time on-air evening host?
It felt like that moment when you finally grow up in life and your family is super proud of you....that's how I felt. I felt like I finally made dad proud! I really didn't know where I was going for a while, and it was little things that John would suggest to me, or little things he would say here and there during aircheck meetings. Those things stuck with my forever. Between John and Wendy, I had two of the best of the best teaching me, guiding me, constantly encouraging me and looking out for my best interest.
4. How would you describe yourself as an on-air personality?
I'm just me! I'm the exact same person on and off the mic. I sometimes move too fast because there's so much I want to say, so I just say it. I think listeners have become accustomed to the spastic random music related stuff that I talk with them about. I am very connected and emotionally moved by music so I just try my best to paint a picture of my feelings and thoughts towards the music so that a listener knows they are having a conversation with someone who they can relate to.
5. What makes your show unique?
It's always about the music, no matter what! We usually have a discussion each night whether based on something cool that's been going on throughout the music world, or something cool that's going on throughout the radio station. It's really fun to be able to incorporate listener's thoughts and comments into the broadcast!
6. What do you love most about your job?
Connecting with absolute strangers. The love and passion for music connects you with people you've never met before who feel the same way. Music literally brings us together. Also having paint parties with listeners during our station shows. We usually get pretty wild! I'll send a tweet out that I'm coming out to the crowd with body paint and it usually starts with like 10 people and then it's a mob of 60-75 people just painting each other and throwing glitter everywhere. It's a blast!
7. Tell us about your other duties at Radio 104.5?
Gathering production elements for promos. Coming up with fun and engaging contests for our listeners, hosting studio sessions for bands that stop by, and also hosting The New Music Discovery Show every Sunday night. That show is so near and dear to my heart. Booking winners to come in for a segment called "Your Finest Hour" where they get to host the radio for an hour each Monday night at 11pm. They send in the playlist, I go through the songs, and I contact them and invite them to come in and host!
8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
My dogs...come on!!
9. What are you most passionate about?
I'm most passionate about human beings following their intuition and inner calling. If you feel it don't fight it! If it's in you, don't ignore it. I feel passionate about encouraging people to live freely w/ an open mind and open heart.
10. What may surprise people most about you?
I initially went to college to study Special Education but changed my major last minute.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Nature, music festivals, my dog, camping, writing, sleeping. I love sleeping.
Last non-industry job?
Nanny
First record ever purchased?
Record or CD? I've never bought a record BUT my first CD was T.L.C. 'Crazy Sexy Cool' <--the best.
First concert?
Boyz II Men at a car dealership in Philly
Favorite band of all-time?
Led Zeppelin
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