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10 Questions with ... Bill Harman
March 4, 2008
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NAME:Bill HarmanLAST WITH:Saga Communications / Smooth Jazz WJZA-WJZK / Columbus, OhioPHONE:(H) 614-899-0489 (C) 614-975-7431
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
I got my radio jones back in high school and thought that I could do that until I found a real job. Still looking, but that reality dose might be on the horizon. I've worked mainly in Ohio and Florida (the stop in Austin was wonderful) and was one of the early pioneers with Smooth Jazz music. I've also helped with the implementation of the Smooth Jazz format in Canada and Australia. My favorite format is AAA. The music coming from that is vibrant and unlike anything else being played. My wife says I couldn't do a "normal" format if my life depended on it, and that's okay with me. I don't have to go where the path leads. I'm fine heading out where there is no path and leaving a trail. I'm also working on a musical concept called "The Harmonic Lounge" (www.harmoniclounge.com). It's got possibilities as a weekend show or daypart. It could also work well as a format. I'm also developing a series of podcasts on various subjects and topics.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
I look at this as an adventure and a new challenge. I have learned two things in my travels, and that is (1) everything changes, and (2) everything ends. My wife (Sherry), who is my best friend, keeps me motivated and focused. I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do if I stay in the "bidness" ... and that helps a lot. You really have to look at every day as the miracle it is. I'm a glass half-full kind of guy and I'm grateful for my friends, experiences and that I've made it this far.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I'm going to drop a couple of pounds by getting myself and the dog out the door on a regular basis to walk. We just bought a house back in June, so there's a huge list to tackle. I know Sherry expects me to clean her domain on a regular basis and If I'm a smart man (no one ever accused me of that), I will comply (if I know what's good for me). I've got my website and podcasts to work on and pitch. Got plenty of reading to catch up on. I also believe there will be some time for a nap every now or then. Looking for a job is a full-time job!
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.
My journey in this territory started some time ago. I believe that the industry has gotten away from what got us to the ballgame in the first place. At one time we were the most creative medium going, but now it's all about the bottom line and the heck with product. No matter what the technology or delivery source is, the whole thing is about content and choice. Terrestrial radio has some real big problems that should have been addressed years ago. I'm very excited about the possibilities on the web and that's why I have my thing. I believe that when you can get all those creative outlets through a simple box where you work, in your house and while you're on the road, then there will be new rules for the whole game and that game is changing every day.
4) Do you plan on sticking with the radio industry?
I don't know. I would love to because I've been very lucky and for the most part, happy with what I've been able to do for so long. I have also gone out and hired a couple of career coaches to redo the resume and help me look at my options. At this time it's probably a smart idea to re-brand myself, and a new coat of paint will not hurt. It does excite me to think that there could be something else out there that I could do besides schedule music logs, and I don't care if it's in another field or in a different area of what I have been doing. I probably could be very comfortable working a specialty show or weekends for someone; my ideas are giving me more creative satisfaction at the moment. The best thing would to be able to head downstairs to my office in my bunny slippers and make a go of it that way.
5) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?
Okay, campers, pay attention because it's all about networking. Things are so tight and weird at the moment that the more folks you know, the better the shot you have at getting noticed and being asked to join the party. You have to have a great attitude. You have to be persistent. You have to be positive. You have to be realistic. And most important, you have to try again and again and again. Do not give up if that's what you want to do. All Access has a couple of great features to help your journey. Make it a weekly habit to check in on "Life Lines" (Diana Laird is working with me) and "Success Tips." Also, bone up on your history with "All Them Big Dogs." If you don't know where we came from, you won't be able to live long and prosper at what you want to do.
6) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
Is this a trick question? Of course, it's All Access. Also see #5 above. I also look at a ton of blogs and websites to find out other ideas. Information is power and you might be surprised what you pick up that will give you an idea that will lead to something you really want to do. Remember that the status quo is the enemy of growth and if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got. Be able to think out of the box but also be ready to color outside the lines.
7) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I'll make this easy in that we are staying put in Columbus, so I have limited my chances somewhat, but to me that makes it easier to move in my universe. If it's terrestrial radio, then I'd LOVE to be the PD at a AAA here in central Ohio. There's a huge hole in this market for a AAA, and I have the expertise to make it work. I'm also very interested in working with an Internet company with either AAA or Smooth Jazz. I believe I can do that from here. If I go outside radio on a full-time basis, then I'll look for something part-time in the biz and give someone else a hard time.
8) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?
I arrived on the beach because of a so-called budget cut after 12 years at my position. The guy who took over my stuff is a fellow PD (and great friend) who was getting grief about getting compensated anything for the extra work. What's wrong with this picture? Aren't people the best assets you can have? Radio is not taking care of those who create the magic and content day in and day out. You would think that we would be smart enough to know that if we are going to load someone up with an almost impossible mission that at least we would make it worth their effort. I had not had a raise in almost two years and got one a couple of weeks before I was let go (the first time it showed up was on my severance) and that raise wasn't even 3%. Like, man, I do this because I love it (my wife calls it my mistress) and how lucky I am to do what I do, but don't hurt the ones who are helping you, and that includes programming, sales and all the support staff. It's to the point now that many feel lucky that they have their jobs and they should be grateful to their employers that they are still in the budget. No one should have to live like that in any business. I know times are tough but let's solve the problems by thinking smarter, working smarter and treating everyone so they want to do more, rather than having them do just what they have to do to get by and keep the gig.
9) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?
A GM asked me if I had a valid driver's license. Simple, but I thought it was really out of left field. I was thinking it was a trick question, but it taught me to never assume anything. Seems the guy hired before me had a huge vision problem (he was almost legally blind) and they did not find out about it until they wanted him to drive the van somewhere for a station function. You just don't know do you?
10) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?
The first thing is to make sure this is really what you want to do. That should go for anything you work for. Life is too short to drift around, and the economy has made it harder to sample different directions in trying to find what floats your boat. Learn everything you can about all facets of the industry. Learn to sell. Learn promotions and marketing. Learn on-air. Learn how to be a problem solver and, at the same time, be the most creative being you can. Network, network and if you haven't done enough, then network some more. Be honest with yourself. If you look into your mirror each morning and see the reflection of someone who is doing the best they can to make everyone around them better, it will all work out.
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 I hate the most. If it wasn't for the free music, T-shirts and food coupons, I would have left years ago! Seriously, I buy a lot of my music anyway, because I like to have the hard copy and I love to feed on the used CD stores. Whenever my wife and I travel I have to look for new places to explore. I'm a happy camper when I have an hour or two and Sherry's permission to graze the stacks. I've also turned into a huge shopper on the Internet. I got a humongous gift card to Amazon for Christmas. That's where you find the really juicy stuff. I've also turned to buying downloads. Just goes to show how the music business has changed when an old dog like me is doing that. The last three CDs I purchased (among others) include the best of the Mark-Almond Band (That will spot the over-50s in the audience), the best of David Gray and the new one from the Eagles.
Care to contribute a low-cost recipe to our "ON THE BEACH" cookbook?
My wife's Cherry Cheese Pie is good enough to...well, never mind!
1 9" graham cracker pie crust
1 8oz package of cream cheese
1 15oz can of sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup of lemon juice
1 tsp of vanilla extract
1 can of cherry pie fillingLet cream cheese stand at room temp until softened. Beat until fluffy (Love that line). Gradually add milk while stirring; stir until thoroughly mixed. Add lemon juice and vanilla extract; stir until well mixed. Pour into prepared crust. Chill 2-3 hours before putting pie filling on top. In my house it serves one but in yours, you can probably get it to seven or eight.
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