10 Questions with ... J.J. Stone

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

My career began back in 1996 while going to college at Wayne State College in Sioux City, IA, and doing my first year at their college radio and TV stations at the same time - KWSC-FM & TV. After the first few months I interned at KGLI (KG-95) at Radio Works, Inc., and also interned at Fox TV at the same time to figure out which I would love more. After the dual internship, I was asked if I wanted to start working as a weekender for KGLI and the sister Rock KSEZ (Z-98); and Board Op for the other sister stations KSFT and KMNS 620. So I left the TV world and focused on radio. While working at Radio Works, I started learning Imaging and production and was named Production/Imaging Director for my college station by my professor Doctor Dave Ogden (who is now at Omaha University), since he liked my production/imaging skills. I left Radio Works for one year to finish my college degree in 2000, and to work in TV a bit more at both KCAU 9 (ABC) and KTIV 4 (NBC), but I wanted to come back to radio. iHeart (Clear Channel) purchased the Radio Works stations, and when I did come back, I got the chance to be a weekender again, working mainly for KSEZ, but also for KSFT (KISS-FM) a couple times for fill-in. Now, I have been working more in the area of Imaging; with single shows like The DJ Bob Show, as well as small businesses like AudioVision Broadcasting, and online radio Midwest Mix Radio.

1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?

The fact that I still get compliments and good notices from people and colleagues for the voluntary work that I do for two online stations that I am helping with imaging and production. And I'm doing a lot of social media event reports for the community.

2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

Doing social media, online radio with www.MidwestMixRadio.com imaging, and being an advocate for people of #disABILITY and LGBT - a part of what I am.

3) 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.

While on the outside I actually did more things in the world of advocacy for people of #disABILITY and LGBT because that's part of why I lost my jobs at TV news and in radio. I ended up using my anger of being discriminated against, to fight back in a way - to help others who I realized were being treated just as badly. Doing so, I ended up getting nominated by my state governor to be a member of his Advisory Council on Brain Injury.

4) Do you plan on sticking with radio?

Yes ... radio is my first love, my major and main degree. Being a traumatic brain injury survivor, and after all that has happened to me, music and radio/communications is #1 for me. Even after being on the beach, and doing all my voluntary work, I recently got introduced as a Certified Personal Trainer, but I still love radio! After exercising so much and losing 150 lbs. while on the beach - and listening to so much music - I miss it - and want it back!

5) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?

Multiple things ... the many colleagues I've kept in touch with over the years, All Access, and now social media group pages and LinkedIn.

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

Getting back to being the "weekender" like I use to be ... IF THEY STILL EXIST! Since I only work part-time due to my traumatic brain injury - or fill-in ... even being the imaging assistant - or maybe even be a co-host in a situation where people won't look at me wrong for being open and honest.

7) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, emails, rejection letters, etc.)

I haven't seen a rejection letter in my years in the biz. I appreciate that I haven't ... LOL ... that's the weird thing. Even if I apply, or send the "Check-Back" e-mails. I never knew how to look at that; but I'm glad for that!

8) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Winning a few state awards while in college radio - and having one of my original radio station owners compliment me on my air time, and other colleagues tell me later that if he did that he really liked your work because of his years of experience.

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

Just being able to work in radio, period, and to be working with music. The part I least like about radio these days is some colleagues who build too much of a large egotistical structure. Period. Everyone in the field is a brother or sister.

10) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?

That I am #disABLED. That, and knowing so many others now working in this field who are PROUD to be openly gay. Part-time positions are still desirable for some of us. When stations do post positions for part-time and only say they only want local people ... some of us might want to relocate even for a small position ... just to start a new life doing what we love.

Seen any great movies?

The last great movie that I saw was Rogue One! I'm so much a Star Wars freak that I almost did a Facebook Live the entire time I was in the theatre because I was that excited to see the movie! I can't wait for the next one! YES!