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10 Questions with ... David "DJ No Sleep" Wendt
July 2, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
My love for radio started as a kid in Detroit, back in the '90s. We all wanted to be just like Tik Tak at WDRQ. I had one of those Talkboy recorders from Home Alone, and we'd record the radio and then drop our own breaks in. If only we could find those lost tapes ... My first real taste of radio was in 2007 as a promotions intern for Federated Media in South Bend, IN while I was working on my Bachelor's degree at Indiana University. I then moved on to a weekend shift in the same cluster at Top 40/Rhythmic WYPW, and worked my way up to midday host and mixer. Most recently I had the opportunity to come back to the city that I love as the overnight host and a mixer for Top 40/Mainstream WDZH and Amp Radio/Detroit.
1) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I'm in the gym 5+ days a week. I never thought I'd be saying this at this point, but I'm in the best shape of my life! I've also been working on my music library, and I finally caught up on all the quality time I didn't spend with my PS3 over the past five years.
2) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.
I'm not going to lie ... the application process in radio is very discouraging. I feel that most jobs are filled with candidates from the inside, and even those still receive hundreds of replies. Then, when you don't get a gig, you don't really know why they chose someone else instead of you. Sometimes, it can be hard to read the industry news and see the moves that are being made. At the same time, the longer I'm out, the more pressing the need to get back behind the mic gets. I knew radio wasn't an easy field before I started, but pushed on. I'm in it to win it.
3) Do you plan on sticking with radio?
I can't say that everything has turned out exactly how I would have dreamed, but life would have to throw a LITTLE more than that at me to get me to give up that easily. Although, if a lucrative opportunity presented itself at some point further down the road, that wouldn't really be giving up would it?
4) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
Last time it was almost 18 months. Some of that had to do with other obligations I had. I can't see it being that long this time.
5) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
Well, the logical place to start is the postings on All Access, but it's a jungle out there. I'm finding that the best way to find openings that are up my alley, or that may not have been posted is by networking with the people I know who have been in the field a little bit longer than me.
6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I'm ready to be an afternoon/night superstar! It's less about what market than about what you can offer me. I want an opportunity to showcase my mixing skills, and the potential for growth into MD/APD duties would be nice.
7) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
I've hosted every daypart including mornings as well as hosted a weekly mix show in PPM-rated market 12. That looks pretty boss when you put it down on paper, huh?
8) What do you miss most about music/radio? The least?
The excitement. Radio is perfect for me because I'm the type of person who has to be involved in anything that I like. It's not enough to go to the club and have a good time... at that point I want the mic! If I never see another weekend off in life that's fine with me, as long as our club night is the hottest in the city. The thing I miss least are the lifers who are dissatisfied with the state of radio (and their lives) since 1990, and feel the need to inform you at EVERY opportunity. (Wait, so you DON'T want a Monday afternoon remote?)
9) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?
I've seen quite a few kids go to broadcast school, come out determined to be a jock, take their first part-time gig, and get discouraged and give up on radio within a year or two. That tells me that you're not putting the thought into it before you start. It's hard out here, and you'll have to work at it. If you're upset that you didn't land a major-market night gig directly out of a yearlong broadcast program, you're wasting your time and money. Be ready to put the time in, move, work outside of your desired format, etc., if you're serious.
10) Where do you see yourself in five years ... 10 years?
Well I've established a pretty clear plan for myself, and in five years I'd like to be established as an MD/APD and be working towards becoming the PD of a station. I'd also like to be purchasing my first liquor license then. In 10 years. I hope to be PD of my own station working towards ownership.
Bonus Questions
Care to contribute a low-cost recipe to our "ON THE BEACH" cookbook?
Sure. I'm a foodie at heart, and as such I want everything to taste GREAT. At the same time, I'm trying to make healthier choices. My new go-to food? Tuna! This is my new favorite snack/lunch
Zesty Tuna and Feta Spread
- 1 6 oz can of tuna packed in water
- 1/4 cup of feta cheese
- 5-6 grape or cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons of your favorite vinaigrette (I used Kraft olive oil and vinegar)
- Small amount of green onion to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Crackers (I'm a fan of the Sun Dried Tomato Triscuit)
Drain the tuna. Slice tomatoes in half, or bite size pieces depending on size. Finely chop green onions. Mix everything but the Feta cheese until dressing is thoroughly dispersed. Mix in Feta cheese. Enjoy. Supposedly makes two servings, but you're gonna wanna eat the whole thing. I eat this on crackers, but it would be a great lowfat alternative to a traditional mayonnaise based tuna salad on a sandwich. It's great because you can keep these ingredients on hand at work and then make on demand for a healthy snack or lunch that will keep you feeling full.
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