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10 Questions with ... Dred Scott
November 29, 2016
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
DEMO:
KCSC/Chico State, 91X/San Diego, KFOG (round one), Star FM/San Francisco, Live 105/San Francisco, Senior Editor for Morning Prep - Westwood One/Los Angeles, KLSX/Los Angeles, KMXN/Anaheim, 100.3 The Sound/Los Angeles, KFOG (round two). I've been fortunate to work at some great stations.
Then there was my surf punk band, On the Beach.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
Well, I find denial comes in very handy. It's tricky dealing with rejection's impact on the fragile creative ego. But you've got to believe in yourself. I also maintain a regular yoga practice and do a lot of hiking around my home in Pacifica (on the coast just south of SF). Also helps to stay in touch with friends who can provide some perspective. Failing that, I just look at my bank statement.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I've created a second Facebook page devoted to sharing music discoveries.
It's a great way to be creative and not make money (at the moment).
As many hundreds can attest, I spend way too much time on Facebook. But it allows me to indulge my penchant for posting wry observations, such as: "Music is just like porn: nobody wants to pay for it anymore, and everyone is getting screwed."
And "Trump says Native Americans protesting Dakota Access Pipeline may be in this country illegally."
3) Do you plan on sticking with radio?
Yes, if radio sticks with me, though you've got to be flexible. I'm witty, knowledgeable and unique, not to mention very humble. I have an old-fashioned belief in radio's power to connect, even if it's wireless. I'm not the norm, but that's not a bad thing.
Programmers always talk about the need for compelling personalities, so can a brother get a little vision?
I'm also open to a marketing/promotional/talent management-type position. I've been told I'd be good at it by the kind of people who would tell me that.
4) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
Depends how you define it. I spent 10 years at Westwood One in L.A., during which my only 'on-air' work was a couple different weekend gigs. But the WW1 gig was still writing and producing things for radio.
5) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?
Steel-toed boots, a court order and a lot of attitude.
6) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
For strictly radio gigs, it's hard to beat (product placement) All Access. LinkedIn is also good, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has a thorough job site.
Networking remains the most direct route. I attended both the NonCommvention in Philadelphia and the Triple-A conference in Boulder. Made some great contacts, had some great conversations and if there hadn't been an open bar, I'd probably remember them.
7) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I'd love to transition to the public/non-comm world because it's very down-to-earth, presentation-wise, yet more adventurous musically and a more appealing business model. A lot of exciting things are happening in non-comm, and it's in sync with my mindset these days. But that doesn't mean I'm not interested in another commercial job, because I have a lot offer creatively. It's all situational. Also, at this point, market size is not nearly as important as a good fit.
Unless a position opens up as St. Vincent's manservant, then all bets are off.
8) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)
To quote B.B. King, "Nobody loves me but my mother, and she could be jivin' too..." Most people I've contacted to let them know I'm looking, etc. have been good about responding on some level. A few haven't but you try not to take it personally. As for specific jobs I've applied for, when I see an item about the eventual hire in the trades and my name's not mentioned, I know I probably didn't get it. Or I ask my mother (but, you know...)
9) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
I spend a lot of quality time with my Spotify Discover feed. Also enjoying the online streams of some great non-comms in other markets (The Current, KXT, KCSN, The Summit, KEXP, KCRW, etc).
10) What do you miss most about music/radio?
The feeling of doing a break and thinking, "Yes, that sounded almost exactly how I wanted it to sound." Being a perfectionist, it doesn't always happen, but when it does it's a great feeling of satisfaction and connection. And my fellow DJs and the promotional staff are almost always top-notch people.
Bonus Questions
Seen any great movies?
"The Big Short." (I thought it was about calling your PD to get a couple of fill tracks, but no...)
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