-
10 Questions with ... Justin Barclay
September 10, 2013
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WKDQ/Evansville; Puddin' on WSTO/Evansville, WXYK and WCPR/Biloxi, WKFS (Kiss 107)/Cincinnati, WXTB (98 Rock)/Tampa-St. Petersburg, WEBN/Cincinnati, WSNX/Grand Rapids, WDZH (98.7 Amp Radio)/Detroit, WBFX (101.3 The Brew)/Grand Rapids; talk at WOOD/Grand Rapids
1. How did you get into radio? Why radio?
I was always fascinated ever since I was a kid. I remember calling WSTO's morning host Brian Jackson (Beej and The Breakfast Bunch) and attempting to give him funny bits, even as a kid, to get on the air. I couldn't believe it, but I actually made it on.
In 7th grade I was assigned to do a report on "What I'd like to be when I grow up." It was a no brainier. I picked radio dj. I called the station and got an interview for a Monday morning (Labor Day), when we were out of school, with Brian. My good friend Brett Winters and his family had a camcorder (one of the old ones that weighed a ton and sat on your shoulder). He made the trip with us and filmed the whole thing. My dad drove us about 30 minutes to where the studios were located. When we got there we started rolling tape and I started asking questions about everything! "What's this button do? What's a cart? Do you get to play whatever you want?" Brian was very accommodating and very patient. I'll never forget it.
Flash forward to senior year in high school. A school in our district actually had a fully operational radio station, WPSR, on campus. The program only took a few students and was very selective. Somehow I managed to get in. It changed my life. We learned everything about how to run a radio station that year. And during that class I got my first real job at a real radio station, "24 Carrot Country" 99.5 WKDQ. (Yes, spelled that way.) They had a rabbit as a mascot. I was floored when I got my first break to run the music overnight on Christmas Eve. Back then there were no computers, no automation, and they needed a warm body to keep the station live. It was the best Christmas present.
Since then, I've been very fortunate. I've gotten several breaks and worked very hard. But I've met some great people along the way who were willing to give me a shot and teach me.
Why radio? I can't imagine what else I would do.
I ultimately enjoy the connection with the audience. Its a relationship. The privilege to be able to make a difference and be a part of lives. I guess it's purpose.
2. Let's move forward now to your new show- after all these years hosting shows on music station, how and why did the talk gig come about?
A little over a year ago I parted ways with my previous employer at CBS Detroit (WDZH) 98-7 AMP Radio. I honestly had no idea what I would do next. But I never worried. I had an overwhelming feeling that everything would "be ok." I was talking over the future with a friend who just happened to be the guy who hired me at AMP (Dom Theodore). We had both moved on. But we stayed in contact because he's literally like a brother to me. He's not blood, but I consider him family. He casually asked one day, "Have you ever considered doing talk?" I laughed it off and said, "That's what I've been trying to do while you guys were telling me to play 10 songs an hour!" We had a good laugh, but it was really a great idea. I asked him what I should do, and he suggested recording some practice monologues at home. They weren't pretty but he said they showed promise. I recorded several a week at up to 15-20 minutes, just to get used to talking and telling a story. Finally, he suggested getting some actual experience in order to build a tape and that it should include callers.
I reached out to a guy I have tremendous respect for in the industry. Phil Tower and I worked with each other in Grand Rapids before I left for Detroit. He was very encouraging and gave me a big break doing some talk last summer on WOOD during Saturday afternoons. It was the baptism by fire I needed.
Since then, I've had the pleasure to fill in several times on WOOD and Glenn Beck's "Blaze" radio network for legendary talker Jay Severin. It's really helped me get in some much needed reps along the way.
3. What do you, as someone whose background isn't in talk radio, bring to the table that a traditional host can't? What makes you different, and how does that show on the air?
I don't consider myself much different actually. When I did mornings I talked a lot. Maybe even too much at times! But if I had to put a finger on what makes me different it might be my youth and perspective. I'm not Rush, Beck, or any of the greats. I have much respect for them all. But I'm just me. I don't pretend to be someone I'm not. I share. I'm vulnerable. I'm honest. And my amazing wife patiently endures.
4. How do you prepare your talk show- what's the process? How is it different from, or the same as, prepping, say, a morning show on a music station?
Much of it is very close to prepping for my previous morning shows. It's based on personal experiences, observations, and what might be in the news. I've learned to prepare like I won't be getting calls. That's taught me to bring more than enough to the table.
5. What role does social media play in what you do these days? How do you use Twitter and Facebook- show prep, maintaining close contact with fans, adjunct to your show, all of the above, some, or none? How valuable are they to what you do on the radio?
Radio is the original social media. It goes back even further in my opinion. Remember neighbors talking on their front porches? Remember your uncle or grandpa telling stories around a camp fire? That's what I'm trying to do. Just tell stories. And listen.
Everyone has a voice now. Everyone counts. And social media makes that more relevant than ever. I float ideas, get an idea for what the pulse is in the community, and interact and exchange ideas on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It keeps the conversation going. The show may only be a short while in actual time on-air but social media keeps me relevant 24/7.
6. Of what are you most proud?
I'm proud I'm able to be a part of an industry that gives back. I'm proud that we're able to reach out and make a difference in our communities. It's a gift.
7. Who have been your mentors and inspirations in the business?
There are far too many to name. I will most certainly leave some out. Brian Jackson (who I mentioned earlier). Another good friend, Jim Fishback who helped me get my foot in the door eventually at WSTO. Kenny Vest and Scotty Valentine from BIloxi. BJ Harris fired me and hired me in the same 5 minutes at a Bob Evans in Cincinnati. He gave me a big chance to work on a large stage. I learned a great deal from him. Scott Reinhart at WEBN was one of the most laid back and brilliant. The countless amazing talk talents I got the chance to share the hallways with at WLW. Darryl Parks made that station my hands down favorite of all time. Randy Michaels gave us the culture to win and Bill Cunningham (The Great American) always made me feel welcomed as he would drag me into the studio to ask me questions about the rock and roll down the hallway at EBN. Most recently, Phil Tower has taught me a great deal and I look forward to learning even more, thanks to Phil, Tim Feagan and Doug Montgomery giving me the much needed support to try something different. And above all, Dom Theodore, who has constantly pushed me, encouraged me, and helped me sharpen the saw. He's a true talent and even truer friend.
I know I must have left some people out. Every single person along the way has taught me something valuable. I'm so honored to have the privilege to pick something up here and there from some of the absolute greatest.
8. Say you hadn't gone into radio. What do you think you'd have ended up doing for a living? What would Plan B have been?
I always said if I couldn't work in radio or got fired that I'd probably end up delivering pizzas. But while I'm not quite sure exactly what I'd be doing, the one thing I'm absolutely certain of is this: I'd be serving. Connecting, making a difference, and hoping to help somehow some way.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ______________.
...friends and family. Over the last year I've been given the gift to understand what truly is important in life. These two are at the top and near to my heart.
10. What was the best advice you ever got? The worst?
Both the best and worst came from Brian Jackson while addressing our radio class senior year. During a visit when he came to speak he said, "Don't do it!" He told us to stay out of radio. He said unless we absolutely couldn't imagine doing anything else that we should find another path to follow. He was right. Radio has been the best and worst. And that's why I love it.
-
-