10 Questions with ... David "Showtime" Ollenbittle

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Please begin by giving us a brief career history...

I have five years of experience in radio. I have done just about every job in radio broadcasting, all the way from interning with the #1 afternoon drive program in St. Louis to being part of the #1 morning show.

I love being on a live mic and I love producing. I have also done my fair share of voice work for many clients.

And, at last head count I have five children (none of whom, however, are talented enough to finance my unemployment ... yet).

Bottom line: I love this stuff. I mean honestly ... how could you not?

1) Do you plan on sticking with radio?

Yes ... I need it and it needs me.

2) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?

I'd love to be part of a morning show. I am a true team player and love having fun on the air.

3) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)

Nonexistent. I've found more often than not that unless you get an interview, you simply never hear back from them.

4) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?

Maybe a little lower salary than I expected, but that isn't saying much since I would say that it's the equivalent of removing two or three peanuts from the bag.

5) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?

By making sure I keep it real, fresh and FUN. My favorite thing about listening to radio is enjoying it and if the jock is having fun ... then so are you. It seems like I hear so many personalities just "going through the motions."

6) What do you miss most about music/radio? The least?

I miss THE MOST the listener interaction. That's what it's all about.

I miss THE LEAST the listener interaction. Sometimes people are just idiots.

7) 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?

The idea that I was ever in this for the money went out the door about my second semester of college (which, BTW, I have considered going back there just to stay on the mic.)

8) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?

Plain and simple, if you don't have a break-neck drive, passion and desire to do this, you will never make it and it will never be worth the effort to you.

9) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?

More than anything, I think that it will have changed my kid's view of what's important in life. I'll mop a floor or flip a hamburger if that's what it takes to keep them healthy and happy. But, they definitely now see how going after something you love and something you're passionate about is both pain staking ... and worth it in the end.

10) Where do you see yourself in five years? 10 years?

In five years, I believe I will be about to celebrate my 5th anniversary hosting a drive-time show with a great company.

Care to contribute a low-cost recipe to our "ON THE BEACH" cookbook?

• 4 parts Ramen Noodles
• 2 parts Vodka
• 1 part Tears