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10 Questions with ... Robert Henson
November 24, 2009
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started with WCOJ/Philadelphia, playing music from 7 to midnight, as well as running the console for local sports. In my third year I was moved to afternoons, playing music and hosting a one-hour local talk show. When the company was sold I was made News Dir./OM. I left the company for two years to return to school, then returned to WCOJ as News Director and Talk host.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
I am a pretty positive guy in general, but doing a split shift between morning news and a talk show in the afternoon kept me away from home a lot. Being on the beach has allowed me to spend much more time with my three children and enjoy quality time with my wife (oh yeah!) That always keeps me positive.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
If there was a "Honey Do" on the "Honey Do" list it has been completed. I am also a mechanical guy, so I rebuilt a couple of motorcycles and I play guitar in a band.
3) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
I would love (and I hope) to stay in radio, but there would have to be a time when I choose to do something else if an opportunity doesn't present itself.
4) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
I have been out of work for a little over a year, so this is my longest stretch. I guess I'm lucky because the first 15 years of my career were at the same station under five separate owners and this is the first time I've been out of work.
5) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
The best responses and offers I received have all come from companies I found on All Access. It sounds like an ad but it's true.
6) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?
To get the job at WCOJ, after my audition, I pestered the Station Manager/morning host five times a day, every day until he hired me.
7) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I want to host a News/Talk show again, but with so few openings available I would love to take the role of a producer. Gathering the information, guest(s), creating ideas and getting it all executed would be exciting.
8) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)
The "courtesy level" has been pretty bad. It seems that if the company I applied to is one of the larger radio companies, then it's just the courtesy response seconds after I applied. I guess I can't expect more, but it would be nice to know your status. If it's a smaller owner there is usually no response. I have to admit, it's nice, even with a rejection, to get a response from a company.
9) What do you miss most about radio?
I miss the work and the daily creative outlet, but I mostly miss some of the people I worked with. They made every day fun.
10) 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?
If by "considerably less," you mean not enough to pay the bills then the answer is no. In general, if I work with good people and can afford to live then that's all I ask. I didn't get into radio to get rich.
Bonus Questions
My favorite new diversion is ...
Baking. The kids and I have taken to making dough for apple dumplings, pies and cookies.
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