-
10 Questions with ... Brett Holcomb
April 1, 2014
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
The past 8 years I was the OM/PD for Z889 WBZC, which is a Dance/EDM station I flipped back in August 2006. Before WBZC, I worked for SportsRadio 610 WIP (now Sportsradio 94 WIP) for over 10 years as a producer and Exec. Producer for the station's Philadelphia Eagles pre-game show. I also served at the PD for WDBK in Blackwood, NJ and was a sports reporter for WRTI. I co-hosted a mixshow with Mr. Mig on Sirius The Beat
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
I've re-located to Florida, so I look at the weather in Southern New Jersey. I have to give that to my friends and family. I can't tell you how lucky I am to have them. Leaving WBZC was a difficult decision, but when I look at my daughter, her future was the most important.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
Right now I am spending my days with my 16-month-old daughter Kensie, my wife and my two dogs, in warm and sunny Gainesville, Fl.
3) Do you plan on sticking with radio?
Absolutely. Radio is a big part of my life ... besides my family and my Philly teams, there's nothing I am more passionate about. I am always sharing ideas with my friends in the business.
4) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
Since I announced that I was leaving WBZC, I have been overwhelmed with the support of my peers and the people I have networked with over the years. I told my students, if you want to make it in this business, or any business, you need to network. Of course using allaccess.com is a great resource (cheap plug).
5) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I'd like to get back into programming. I love molding and shaping how a station sounds. There's nothing better than meeting a listener and telling them how much your station is a part of their life.
6) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
I am probably listening to more radio now, besides my former station, than I have in a long time. Living in a new market, I catch myself analyzing the stations to see what changes I would make if I was in the PD chair at that particular station. I am also enjoying hearing new programming and promotion campaigns.
7) What do you miss most about music/radio? The least?
I watched the Grammys, and was proud to see how far EDM has gone. Seeing the reaction of Daft Punk performing with Stevie Wonder was amazing. I miss being a part of the movement at the present time. What I don't miss was some of the politics. Hearing some of the behind the scenes issues about what's really happening. Half the time it was just complete nonsense.
8) Is there anything specific that you regret doing while you were still working?
Not spending more time doing an air shift. I did my last air shift a couple weeks back. The entire time, I kept saying to myself, "Why didn't I do this more often?"
9) If you were offered a similar position to what you were doing for considerably less money, would you seriously consider taking the job just to stay in the biz?
That's a tough question. It would have to be the right fit. I have to put my family first and have to make sure that I can take care of them.
10) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?
It has reenergized my mind and spirit. I had a conversation with one of my record label reps this week and told him that I feel like I have adrenaline running through my veins and I need to get back in the PD chair soon, so that I can take a new station to the top.
Bonus Questions
Uh oh ... now you're on your own for getting new music. If applicable, name your three most recent purchases since leaving the biz.
This goes back to one of the previous questions: stay connected with everyone you have networked with, especially people in the music business and other PDs. Three good rules that have worked: 1. Make sure you save all your contacts from your e-mail and passwords to music download sites. 2. E-mail those contacts and ask them to keep you on their e-mail lists with your personal e-mail address. 3. Give them feedback. If you never did it before, remember they are doing you a favor now!
-
-