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10 Questions with ... A.J.Barrera 'J.R.Santiago'
June 11, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. For a while, I was concerned at how much radio was turning to voicetracking on the masses and jocks seemed to be becoming more obsolete. However, lately I see more and more ads for live and local personalities, which is very exciting. Being out and about interacting with listeners is my favorite part of the job and a must anywhere I consider heading to
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
PROMO DEMOI began my career in radio in 1999 at the Mighty 99.5, The Wolf in Dallas. I started in promotions, but within a month was producing and co-hosting afternoon drive for Cody Alan, now of CMT Radio. I was privileged to work alongside Cody for seven years, dominating PM drive in Dallas consistently during that time. After leaving Dallas for opportunities in Seattle, San Diego and Miami to name a few, I hosted successful dayparts doing Top 40 in Waco and Tyler, TX. I hosted a morning show at KLUB (Rock 106.9)/Victoria, TX briefly before they switched formats, but during that time I got to play the music I love and had a blast doing so. I am also a U.S. Army combat veteran and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Now out of the military, I'm back in radio with fresh and renewed motivation, energy and enthusiasm and I look forward to my next opportunity to learn grow and bring my experience to a winning team to have some fun and dominate the market once again. I understand there are some gaps in my resume. After returning from combat in Iraq, I developed PTSD from the combat I was involved in. I made a personal choice to take time off when necessary for treatment from the VA for PTSD in-patient on occasion. I understand the stigma associated with military PTSD, however I view myself as a survivor and soldier who faced that challenge as I had every other one in my military career. I'm now feeling better and ready to make my comeback as a stronger jock and experienced in overcoming this type of adversity ... and subsequently use my experience to benefit anyone else who may be faced with such challenges. I am, by choice, open and honest about my experiences. I'm on the hunt for my next home and ready to dominate the market and have a lot of fun! I can't wait to see where this career path takes next!
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and to stay motivated?
I'm a very positive and resilient person. The military has greatly strengthened this in myself. I love radio and have since I was five years old. The dream of getting back on the air and once again, doing what I love keeps me going and sending my stuff out as often as I can. I must say ... the awesome antidepressants the VA offers certainly help, too!
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I love keeping in shape and also playing sports as much as my body allows. Softball, Boxing and weight training are my favorites. I spend a majority of my time working with other combat veterans just returning from war zones at the VA as well. This greatly helped me out in my transition back to civilian life after serving as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division in The United States Army in the Iraq/Afghanistan Wars. I have 2 baby nieces who are my world also that keep me plenty occupied and are training me for fatherhood if that is in the cards someday!
3) 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.
For a while, I was concerned at how much radio was turning to voicetracking on the masses and jocks seemed to be becoming more obsolete. However, lately I see more and more ads for live and local personalities, which is very exciting. Being out and about interacting with listeners is my favorite part of the job and a must anywhere I consider heading to.
4) Do you plan on sticking with radio?
Most definitely! I couldn't imagine doing anything else in my life and time is starting to pass faster and faster, but I've been all over the world and have never been as happy as I am on the air. I did love the excitement of the military, don't get me wron,g and would still be in if I hadn't been injured by an IED explosion in Iraq, but radio is just as thrilling! Plus I don't get shot at as much, so that's nice, too.
5) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
Miami, babyyy! Three awesome years. By far my favorite place I've ever lived in. I had a tiny apartment on Miami Beach and lived off the dollar menu, but I lived in paradise and loved every minute. I was just hungry
6) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?
Networking and starting anywhere you can get in. To this day, I would still love joining a new team in a promotions position. I started in promotions at 99.5 The Wolf in Dallas in 1999 and to this day remember some of my best times in radio there.
7) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
Allaccess.com all the way!
8) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?
I packed up my single cab truck and drove from Dallas to Seattle because it was time for a change. I didn't have a place to live yet or a plan. But I had faith that an opening there with Entercom could work for me, so I packed up and headed out.
9) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I've worked all formats from Country to Rock to Top 40 ... love everything about all of them, but I will say Top 40 has been what I've had most fun in. Since I worked in Dallas doing afternoon drive with Cody Alan, that has been my favorite shift. My dream gig would be afternoons or nights on a Hot Top 40 station in any city that has a solid audience for a company that is aggressive and live and local! But I'd be more than happy to grab anyone's coffee or run some errands if needed
10) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?
So far what I've come across is what I would expect for someone in my position. I never had any aspirations of being mega-rich working in radio and like I said, I love the dollar menu. I'm fortunate to have some military compensation that allows me some flexibility when job searching and taking locations into account. I have seen a few pleasant surprises along the way also from some programmers who are trying some new things lately and that is super exciting!
Bonus Questions
Care to contribute a recipe for our "On The Beach" cookbook?
I wish I could but I'm kind of a microwave Masterchef...
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