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10 Questions with ... Hurricane Stevens
April 21, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
In 1990 I got my start as an intern working with the great Marc Chase, BJ Harris, Jeff Kapugi, Gabe Hobbs and Randy Michaels at the infamous "Power Pig" WFLZ in Tampa. At the time I was known as "Boner," but today you can call me Hurricane Stevens. Over my 22-year span at WFLZ, I held many different titles. I was the Assistant Promotions Director, weekend air personality, overnight air personality, morning show personality, Associate Producer, Executive Producer and Website & Social Media Content Manager. 1995-2012, I was the producer and cast member of the MJ& BJ Show and the syndicated MJ Morning Show. From 2012-2014, I worked as the Executive Producer for the Bubba Radio Network.
1) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
When I am not searching for my next great radio opportunity, I am keeping up with current events on social media. I also enjoy exercising, walking my dog and beating my wife at "Trivia Crack."
2) Do you plan on sticking with radio?
Of course! Once you've been bitten by the radio bug, it's in your blood for life. I will somewhat retire from radio when I win the lottery and buy a small cluster radio station and run them all from my remote private island in the Pacific.
3) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
Back in 2012, I sat "On The Beach" for nine months when the MJ Morning Show came to an end at WFLZ.
4) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I would like to be the next head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Oh, you meant in radio ... I would like to be a PD.
5) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)
The "Courtesy Level" is poor! It's no longer personal. First of all, I am a person of technology and progression, but receiving a computer-generated rejection e-mail sucks! I do understand that it is a cost-effective procedure for companies, but a lot of great talented people have been overlooked or eliminated because their resume didn't match the job description criteria. Unfortunately, when you apply for jobs online, you have no idea if the right people are looking at your material. Back in the day, when you applied for a job, you were always asked to send your resume package to a PD and/or the OM directly. Then you knew the right person was looking at your material and not some source named "DoNotReplyToThis@InvalidEmail.com."
6) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
I am always willing to re-invent or re-brand myself to adapt to my new job situation and at the same time incorporate my core work ethics. Also, I am a strong believer in taking on more job responsibilities, challenges, and learning and doing new things to stay in tune with my targeted audience.
7) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
Not much has really changed with my listening habits. If I am not listening to various local and national shows or jocks in my car, I am listening to streaming radio programs online. I am always looking for great radio content.
8) Are you able to slow down and enjoy free time doing things with your family and friends that you probably did not have time to do while you were working?
Sitting here "On the Beach" has given me time to do more things with my wife. We are preparing for our first child, who is coming in May. But I am not going to lie, I am very anxious to get back to work.
9) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?
Humble yourself! Radio broadcasting is a great career... but always remember this; it is a business and you can always be replaced by someone who is willing to work for less and deliver the same results. So, step up your game and go the extra mile!
10) Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
Hopefully working in California as a PD and living next door to the Kardashians ... so when my wife wants to "Keep Up," she can just go knock on their door.
Bonus Questions
What great movies have you recently seen?
I wouldn't say it was great, but the most recent movie I've seen was "The Interview" with James Franco and Seth Rogen ... the media hype was better than the movie.
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