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10 Questions with ... Randi Rhodes
July 21, 2009
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NAME:Randi RhodesTITLE:Nationally Syndicated Radio Talk Show HostNETWORK:Premiere Radio NetworksMARKET:NationalCOMPANY:Premiere Radio NetworksBORN:Brooklyn, NYRAISED:Queens, NY
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Country/Rock DJ, Local Radio Talk Show Host, Nationally Syndicated Radio Talk Show Host
1. How did you get your start in radio?
I was looking in the newspaper for a job in Odessa, Texas. I thought I'd try for a bookkeeping job, because it paid more than secretarial work. I saw an ad that read "Announcer Wanted," so I called. The station was 62 miles north of Odessa, where I was living, in Seminole, Texas. The station manager said it paid $3.35/hour, so it didn't even pay for my gas, but I went anyway. I did a rip and read news audition for him; he called me and hired me for weekends. It was a Classic Country station in a store front on Main Street, but I knew instantly that this was what I wanted to do.A few weeks later, the Station Manager, Steve Harrell, wrote me a "memo" that stated: "Due to your enthusiasm and good work ethic, I am proud to raise your salary to $4.00/hour."
2. What are you passionate about?
My family and "The Howard," my boyfriend. I feel incredibly lucky to have the family I do and to have found love again! Jessica is now 24 years old and living in New York trying to find her way in Film and Television Production, and I'm in D.C. with The Howard. I'm just amazed at how well things worked out for everyone. I'm in love, so I'm passionate about building our life together and making sure I don't blow it!
3. You're an example of someone who's found success in talk radio from the left- why have you been successful while some others have failed?
I'm pretty sure none of us failed. Most of the people I started with at Air America didn't want to succeed at radio. They had a view that radio was a good stepping stone to their dream jobs. My dream job is national radio syndication, but theirs wasn't. Rachel (Maddow) has a TV show, Al (Franken) is a U.S. Senator, and Janeane (Garofalo) is on the TV show "24." I think they're doing exactly what they want to be doing, and so am I. So, failed? No, I don't think so.For me, being on a decent signal has a lot to do with success. If people can't hear you, they can't listen to you, so that's my new frontier - the BIG sticks.
4. Why do you think it took as long as it did for you to get syndicated? Did politics get in the way, or was it something else?
I decided to wait until Jessica was off to college before I went national. I wanted her to be the number one thing in my life and I wanted to be there for her when she got home. It worked out really well for all of us because Jessica is by far the best thing I've ever done.
5. Does having Obama in the White House affect how you do your show? Is there a difference between doing a talk show from the opposition side versus having someone in office with whom you may agree more often than not?
It's nice to be FOR your President instead of dead-set against his policies. Obama has a very positive agenda for America. It's great to be an advocate for job creation, health care for all, and little things like clean air and being able to take a deep breath in 10 years.For eight years, I had to be against torture, rendition, imperialism, warrantless wiretapping and invading unarmed nations. Bush spent money on two things and two things only, tax cuts for the top 10% and war. It's time to invest in America and Americans; I love the idea of finally being for positive investment, instead of against negative spending.
6. You've evolved into a highly political talker from being less so earlier on- was there a conscious decision on your part to increase the political content, or did it just happen?
I think I evolved over time. I love entertaining people, so that's job one. But being curious and an avid reader help me to be sharper and more opinionated about a variety of things. I don't feel limited because I have a lot of information in my head, so I love that the show has depth and some fluff. The smarter the host, the smarter the show.
I like tying things together that others wouldn't think to, or be able to - like Michael Jackson and single-payer healthcare. If we all had a private doctor, maybe we would all be 50 years old and 112 pounds. Ok, half of my dream has come true.
7. What other talk radio do you listen to? Are there any conservative hosts you respect? Any liberals you WISH had a show?
I listen to everything -- Rush, Michael Savage, Ron Reagan, the news, Mark Levin, etc. I will listen to anything that's on the radio for a little while. If I get addicted, then I listen every day. Right now I am addicted to the "world heavyweight champion liars" on the radio. I listen to them on my way into work and wonder how they can live with themselves, but I also know that I get my shot once I get to work. It's great to have three hours on the air every day to debunk that crap. Otherwise, I don't think I could take it. On the way home, I listen to Ron Reagan and then I'm cool.
8. What do you do for fun?
Right now, I go to everything in D.C. Events, museums, parks, bike paths, dog runs - everything. This city is incredible. Howard has lived here for 37 years, so he knows every great restaurant, place to be and thing to do.Sometimes I go up to The Hill and walk through the offices to see what everyone's doing, and occasionally, I will stick my head in someone's office. Usually, there are long lines of lobbyists trying to see the Congress members. Sometimes I have asked my listeners to call their representatives, and when that happens, the members tell me about it. It freaks them out that Talk Radio can make their phones ring. Some members have asked why I have to kick the crap out of them so hard. Ha! They are making decisions that are affecting every one of us, and they think I'm tough on them!
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ______________.
...coffee and cigarettes (sorry).
10. What's the best advice you ever got? The worst?
Dream Big.Dream Big.
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