10 Questions with ... Don Carpenter

E-MAIL: dwc151@gmail.com
WEBSITE: http://www.youtube.com/DonCarpenterRadio

Please give us a brief career bio...

After working in the family trucking business for years, I decided to try my hand at the one thing I’d always wanted to do: Talk radio. I started co-hosting, producing, and filling in on weekends at WGMD in Rehoboth Beach, DE and until recently did mornings on KIML in Gillette, WY.

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

Having worked outside of radio for many years, I know what the outside world is like. Those of us who are fortunate enough to make a living working in radio are among the luckiest people on Earth. It really is a dream job, despite the setbacks we all face from time to time.

2) 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 love what I do outside of radio, but having achieved a measure of success within the radio business, I’m looking forward to taking on the next challenge.

3) Do you plan on sticking with radio?

Absolutely! When the right opportunity comes around, I’m ready to jump back in. I want the next stop to be the one I retire from 30 years from now.

4) What’s the best way to get your foot in the door?

Networking is key in this business. It’s not necessarily “who you know,” but “who knows you.” Having a reputation as a host that can deliver is important.

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

I’ve always used All Access. There are other websites, but they always seem to have the same listings, but a few days later (after the job has already been filled, usually!)

6) What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to get a job?

I moved from Delaware to Wyoming, without knowing a soul in my new home. I guess that’s normal for this business, though, isn’t it?

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

I’d like to do mornings on a small-market station (preferably somewhere warm). As much as we all would like to be the big-market or syndicated talents, I find being in the middle of everything in a small city is my best fit. I like being the guy who the local non-profits come to when they need to raise money.

8) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?

I still listen to radio every day. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed. Every time I’m in a new city, I try to find a local host and listen for a while to see if he or she is doing something from which I can learn.

9) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Being able to be a big part of turning around a station that previously was struggling is very rewarding. Knowing that I was part of a team that could do that is better than any award.

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

I miss being able to help that local non profit, or being able to talk to my listeners about the things they find important. I don’t miss having to wake up at 3a!

Your favorite new diversion is ...

It’s hardly a new diversion, but I have enjoyed being able to travel in my time off. I’ve flown more this year than I have in the previous twenty. It’s not such a bad life!