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10 Questions with ... Kim Carson
September 20, 2016
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
SOCIAL:
Facebook: facebook.com/KimCarson Twitter: twitter.com/KimCarson Instagram: Instagram.com/KimCarsonNOW LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/TheRealKimCarson YouTube: youtube.com/KimCarsonNOW Podomatic: kimcarson.podomatic.comDEMOS: ...are on YouTube (click NEXT icon for more clips):
I am underemployed right now and am looking for full-time employment with a bigger platform for me to utilize all the content I can provide. I have been in love with radio for as long as I can remember. I attended high school year-round for two years straight, so I could graduate a year early and move down to Knoxville, TN for my first radio job at the age of 16. I've had the pleasure of working with some of the best programmers in the business and have learned so much from each and every one of them. Radio is still magic ... just me and a listener at work, in the car, at home ... nothing quite compares to the bond and intimacy of radio. Working in my hometown of Detroit was a highlight in my career for sure! Working for Mike Wheeler and doing the Quiet Storm in Toledo was another highlight. I am currently doing some radio, TV, freelance voice work/freelance writing for a couple different publications as well as speaking engagements on getting healthy and feeling better. I am working on book #2 and am told quite often that I am a "brand," but what that is worth in this business I'm not quite sure.
1) Do you plan on sticking with radio?
I plan on sticking with the "art form" of radio, and with all of the additional media platforms out there, if done right, the "art form" of radio will not only be heard over the terrestrial air waves but other platforms as well. It could turn out to be a really good thing for the medium. I am a content provider and the content that I can provide crosses many boundaries. There will always be a need for good content providers.
2) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
Three months.
3) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
Looking into the future, the next adventure/job I would like to obtain is one where I can use my gifts and talents on TV, radio, print and the Internet to connect with an audience about topics of interest to them. I like to entertain, teach and bond with listeners/viewers. There are so many who I talk to who are also wanting that same kind of connection ... to learn more and be entertained to lighten their day and smile. People tell me when they listen to me on the radio or watch me on TV it's like I am a friend to them. That's what this business is all about for me ... CONNECTION.
4) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)
Virtually nonexistent. I'm not sure anyone even sees the applications since so many of the big companies just do it all online. It's done in very much in the same style as Walmart or Costco and that is sad. We're in the business of communicating and it's not being done on that very basic level.
5) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?
"I know I'm not supposed to ask you this, but are you single?"
6) What's the most unbelievable on-air bit you were allowed to do?
Theater of the mind ... Prince had a concert in Detroit and a regular listener who also happened to be the limo driver who was picking up Prince from the airport called me to tell me this. I asked him to let me know when Prince was in the limo and I opened up the phone lines saying that Prince was just picked up at the airport and was in the limo and I was betting that he was listening to the hottest station in Detroit WDRQ 93FM, so what do you wanna say to Prince? The phones lit up for a couple hours straight ... girls calling in saying "Prince I wanna have your baby," "I love you Prince," "Oooh, Prince you so fine!" It was so much fun! Fun phone calls in between Prince songs. Nothing beats live radio ... nothing.
7) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
I would hope my talent and my numbers separate me from the pack, but I'm not so sure that companies value that anymore. But as I have said previously there are so many new platforms opening up for the "art form" of radio to continue to thrive, be profitable and connect in a bigger and better way.
8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
In Radio & Records, I was named one of the Top 10 female programmers in AC radio and that was a proud moment. Also winning the Celebrity Grand Prix and having Bob Bondurant (Steve McQueen/Tom Cruise instructor) present me with my trophy. Bob told me my time was so good he thought I could have a career in racing if I was interested and come visit his racing school in California. I'm not cut out for that career....
9) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?
Be an original, never stop learning and growing, network with other people you admire, keep your eyes on the trends and do it now. Procrastination will be your biggest enemy. Just do it...
10) Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
I see myself still creating and being the artist that I was born to be. I imagine I will be working with a cutting edge company that has interests in all the things mentioned ... radio, TV, Internet, writing and speaking engagements. I really enjoy connecting with people and sharing their stories. There is so much inspiration and encouragement in that for me. I believe we all have a story to tell and we can learn so much from each other. I love sharing those stories...
Bonus Questions
Care to contribute a recipe for our "On The Beach" cookbook?
Fresh Avocado Mango Tomato Onion Salad
- 1 avocado
- 1 tomato
- 1 mango
- A couple slices of diced Vidalia onion
Peel mango and cut up in bite size pieces Cut tomato into bite size pieces Peel avocado and cut into bite size pieces Dice up a slice or two of onion
Squeeze the juice of a fresh lemon over all the items in the bowl Add a teaspoon or more of fresh cumin powder Add a teaspoon of chili powder Add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
Mix all together for a refreshing delicious salad.
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