Make Your Weekends Count ...

Weekends are a time to unplug from the day-to-day and recharge for the week ahead. It's sleeping in, chores, going to the bank, work around the house or apartment, or going to the store. Weekends are time for activities, watching or playing sports, shopping, exercising, writing, painting, the second job, going over bills, and entertainment. That's where radio comes in ... it can play its part as a micro-adventure

Weekend Listening ...

Radio is a part of the increasing audio media world of escapism; everyone wants to get away and just be. People live for the weekend; whether it's one or two days off, it's downtime. It's the reason most stations require full-time salaried air talent to work six days on the air; it's hard to find great sounding part-timers.

A Special Time ...

Every weekend slot is like a specialty show for the listener who tunes in. Audiences listen more intently and are not as distracted as during the weekdays. I know programmers recognize the importance of weekend listening, but I'm not sure air personalities see the relevance.

Nielsen Has Said ...

"Radio's ability to reach consumers in large numbers isn't confined to the Monday-Friday workweek. Across several of the major buying demographics that advertisers covet, radio's reach on the weekends often rivals the reach seen Monday-Friday."

I Loved It ...

My favorite time to work was Saturday midday during the summer. At one station I used to work at, the air conditioning was on full blast in the studio and I knew what I was playing and saying was center stage for listeners. I don't want to mislead you into thinking every one of my career weekend on-air experiences was magical.

My First Weekend Show ...

The first part-time weekend shift I worked was for a commercial station while I was in college. It was one of those Saturday/Sunday morning overnight shifts. My on-air time was a five-minute newscast five minutes prior to the hour. The rest of the time I aired pre-recorded shows. I was excited because of the extra hours, it gave me time to study, and I thought it was an easy time slot because I'm a night owl. However, I learned there is a big difference between staying up late and staying awake until 6a.

Wore Out ...

By the time my relief came in, I was mumbling, tired, and hungry. My first mistake was going to Denny's and eating a bowl of chili before heading home for some sleep. It was about 7a, still dark and I figured I would sleep until the NBA game came on at noon. I laid down for what I thought was only a moment. Something woke me up, I looked at the clock and noticed it was only 7:30. I was exhausted and afraid of oversleeping and missing the game, so thought I better force myself to stay awake.

What Time Is It ...

I turned on the TV and there was a movie playing, I thought it was strange; usually there was a newscast on that early. I called the local TV station and asked the guy who answered why there was a movie on? He said, "There is always a movie on at 7 on Sunday." I said, "I have never seen a movie on this channel this early in the morning. He replied, "Sir, it's Sunday night." I had slept the entire day.

A Good Laugh & A Teaching Moment ...

My first weekend experience formed a special bond I would always have with weekend radio. The first chance I got during the week, I dropped by the station and told my PD what happened. We both laughed until we almost cried. He then told me a couple of his weekend stories, but he ended on a serious note and explained the importance of weekends for audiences -- even overnights. He said something that has stuck with me to this day: "On weekends, music stations are the party; try and make every open mic your best moment."