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10 Questions with ... DJ Hot Sauce
January 29, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- Holladay Broadcasting (The Radio people) WKKV, WJXM, WDBT 1999-2004
- Clear Channel WBFA 2004-2006
- Beasley WIKS 2006
- Cumulus KMJJ 2007-2008
- Beasley WIKS 2008-2009
- Clear Channel WKKV 2009-2012
1) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
Traveling. Taking long road trips ease my mind. Plus there's something about the open road that gives me fresh ideas.
2) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
Right now. Ten months and counting....
3) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
Using connections that I've established over the years. So many jocks are on the beach right now that by the time you hear about an opening and apply, you're either a week late or not even being considered because the PD already had someone in mind before the job was advertised.
4) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?
When I interviewed for the night jock position at WIKS, I drove eight hours with my records, turntables and a Durango full of clothes. After the interview I told J-Dot (the PD) that I wasn't leaving. I was on the air the next night.
5) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
APD or MD would be great!
6) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)
Times have really changed over the past 5-10 years. When I first got into radio I'd get letters with business cards, phone calls, or at least an e-mail reply saying, "Thanks, got your aircheck, but we're going in a different direction," or something to that effect. These days you have no idea if PD's have even listened to your aircheck.
7) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?
Depends on the area and the format really. I jumped over 50 markets once just for an extra thousand dollars a year. I figured the exposure in a larger market would pay off. I found out later that I was making the same amount as the morning show board op in the next studio. And I was doing three jobs.
8) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
Experience! Being in the positions that I've been have definitely given me an advantage over the rest of the pack. I can do it all from programming to production. I can handle any day part on the air and do my own mixshow.
9) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
About the same as before. Only now I've had the time to find stations in other cities to check out.
10) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?
I'll definitely save more money.
Bonus Questions
Care to contribute a low-cost recipe to our "ON THE BEACH" cookbook?
Any Campbell's Chunky Soup over rice = great dinner!
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