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10 Questions with ... Monique Jordan
February 24, 2015
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1) How did you get into radio?
In 1994 for my son's birthday; I decided to call the local radio station where I was stationed to wish my son a Happy Birthday. The PD, Mycial McGurie, was on the air, he asked if I ever thought about doing radio, I said no. He asked me to come to the station so he could record my voice, I did. He liked it and told me I should think about doing radio. He had his night jock, Kenny Smoov, train me and I've been doing it since.
2) Could you tell me about your journey?
It wasn't easy because I was a single parent and it was difficult to find childcare, so the station turned into daycare. Fortunately, I had understanding PDs along the way.
3) Between being in the military and radio, you've had to move around, what has that been like?
It wasn't easy being a single parent; my kids basically grew up in the studio. Luckily, I've had pretty understanding PDs ... for the most part.
4) What was the biggest misconception about radio did you have before getting into the business?
When I first got into radio, I really didn't know what to expect, though I did expect for a person to keep their word. I learned quickly that wasn't true. If it's not in writing, don't hold your breath.
5) Who are some of the people who have influenced and mentored your career?
I was fortunate to work for a list of amazing people including James Alexander, Al Irvin, Terri Avery, Michael Tee (R.I.P), Terry Base, and Phillip David March.
6) Could you share with us the upside about being in this business?
I love being a voice in the community. My main goal is mentoring young woman; being in radio gives me a chance to help mold our future.
7) Have you ever thought about getting out of radio?
Yes, back in 2000 I accepted a job, packed up, took my kids out of school, drove the U-Haul 10 hours to find out they changed their mind. It was a nightmare and I had nowhere to go. I ended up at my Mom's house, not ever wanting to do radio again. One day I turned on the radio and heard this voice that sounded a lot like mine. Each day I would tune in to hear this girl and finally called to talk to her, she really lifted my spirits and talked me into not giving up and trying again. I don't think I'd be back in radio today if it wasn't for Delyte when she was at WEUP in Huntsville.
8) What advice do you have for those just starting out in broadcasting?
Learn production! I mean not just reading a script and putting music under it. Being able to sell whatever it is you're talking about in 30 or 60 seconds. Production is the most important element in a station. When working at WBLX/Mobile, AL, I was asked to teach a Broadcasting class at Springhill College for their Upward Bound program. My main focus was production. At the end of the summer, each child was proficient in Cool Edit Pro.
9) What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you in radio?
When I was at a station in Jackson, MS, I kept using Kwasi Kwa's music beds, he asked me to stop, but I didn't. One day I got to do a break, as I started talking I pressed his music bed, as I always did. Well, Kwasi decided to record over the music bed with him moaning, I was soooo embarrassed and all I could hear when I took my headphones off was everybody laughing. Everybody knew he recorded over the music bed but me!
10) What profession would you have chosen had you not gone into radio?
I guess if radio didn't find me, I'd still be getting grease under my nails fixing generators!
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