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10 Questions with ... Mycah Rae
March 19, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started as an intern in radio in 1998 in Dallas at 97.1 The Eagle (Rock format). I went on to become a board op and production assistant. A few years later I went to a sister station of ours (KHKS Kiss FM/Dallas) ... and did production and programming. Eventually all six stations merged under one roof, and I included some imaging, board op work, production, promotions, traffic announcing, and later, on-air work, assisting the afternoon talent! I left radio in 2007, and now I am getting back into radio, and hoping to do on-air and voiceover work!
1) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.
I have been out for awhile now, and I'm pretty anxious to get back in! I can say that the voicetracking has got to STOP! The fact that someone in Kansas in talking in a Dallas market when they aren't here is a bit ridiculous, especially when they have never been here! Another observation is the fact that radio is not as tight is it used to be, and has lost its fun! It's the best job in the world!
2) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I want to jump back in the studio ON-AIR, preferably as part of a morning show, or with my own time slot. I would also love to do voiceover work for movies, and also produce beats, and write music for artists, and sing as well.
3) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, emails, rejection letters, etc.)
You have to have very tough skin in this industry and not get hurt so easily! I have actually had encouragement. I guess I have been lucky, even if I wasn't the right fit for a particular job. The PD encouraged me to work on this or that, so it wasn't bad per se. I have had a few places interested, but the circumstances, or timing just might not have been right at that moment in my life
4) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?
They have been low actually! I just dropped out of college as a pre-med student. I look at what I would make after graduation, and look at radio salaries, and say "WOW" what a difference! But I know I will be happier doing radio, because it's what's closest to my heart!
5) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
I look at my experience from starting in a large market, surviving a lot of years! Not many people can do that! They get burned out, or they are here today, gone or fired tomorrow. I also look at my skills and knowledge I obtained within those years, and with that I am SUPER-confident!
6) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
I have learned that I am just the type of person that needs to always be busy, and be on the go 24/7, and in radio you do that! I love to work, which is an odd thing to say, but it's true! Others around me notice that I am happiest doing just that. Radio was my life! And in down time, I'm bored out of my mind. Sitting in a classroom at school was just not the route for me! I wanted to go-go-go and work all of the time!!
7) Is there anything specific that you regret doing while you were still working?
I wouldn't say I regret anything at all. What I can say, though, is if I had to go back and redo anything, I would definitely approach situations differently.
8) 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?
That actually depends ... Geographically speaking! More than likely I would take it though! I have to start somewhere in getting myself back through that door!
9) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?
I advise that you have extremely tough skin! It's almost about being in the right place at the right time, and the right people, and having a talent, love, appreciation, and an absolute knowledge of music. You have to know what you are talking about, and I can't emphasize that enough to the people who have asked me about this business.
10) Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
Hopefully in a studio writing music, and producing for big-name artists! Voiceovers in movies, or television is something I hope to accomplish one day!
Bonus Questions
Uh oh ... now you're on your own for getting new music. If applicable, name your three most recent purchases since leaving the biz.
Bruno Mars, Swedish House Mafia and Miguel.
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