10 Questions with ... Ross Jackson

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I took the usual route, if there is such a thing. A small AM station in East Texas, made the rounds in my home area, then worked my way up the ranks to places like Kansas City, Nashville, Harrisburg, PA, Jacksonville, FL and the like. If it is or has been a format, I've probably done it at one time or another, and that includes News. I've been out of the business for about six years after a self-imposed retirement, but like most junkies, I miss it and want to come back.

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.

It's really sad that there don't seem to be any entertainers anymore. It's like a bunch of time/temp robots. Or the ones that you do hear that sound like they put some effort into their show, are a thousand miles away from your market. Local, live radio is pretty much dead in my opinion. I'd like to be the tool that helps some smart owner bring that back.

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

Allaccess.com of course, what few contacts I have left from my day, the Texas Assn. of Broadcasters site and I even tried a sign on the street corner that said "Will work for radio" but that didn't work out too well.

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

The few times I've gotten to that point so far, I've been shocked!! There are so few live jobs now, that it's a seller's market, so to speak. If you aren't willing to work for Green Stamps, there's someone who will. That is a generalization of course, I know there are great companies out there that pay a fair salary and will give an old man a second shot. I just haven't found them yet.

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

As cheesy as this may sound, I read the Bible a lot. I'm not a religious nut by any means, but I find comfort there. I have listened to more radio in the last six years than I have in my entire life, via online streaming, DXing, etc. trying to find that station that might be the next big local/live thing. And I've found some. I play a little golf, do some bowling, and mainly just try to keep my mind off how much I miss radio.

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

I hate to say it, but I'm not going to lie to you. With a couple of rare exceptions, "courtesy" is practically non-existent. I'd like to think after 28 years in the biz I've earned a little respect and courtesy, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I'd sure show it to someone else, but maybe that's just me.

6) What's the most unbelievable on air bit you were allowed to do?

That's a tie. I once rode a riding lawnmower for 22 hours and 36 minutes for a promotion. I paid dearly for that one for weeks!! Then, when I had the pleasure of working with Cornbread in Texas before he went to WIL/St. Louis, I sat on a toilet in front of one of the local TV stations and did a remote for National Read in The Bathroom Week. Oh, and I hitchhiked around the loop for his show wearing nothing but a psychedelic clown wig and shorts, holding up a sign with the station's calls on it. I got some really strange looks, but made it around the loop back to the station.

7) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Survival! I went from actual records, to carts, to CDs, to babysitting a computer. I LOATHED that, but you have to go with the flow. Other than that, I'd like to think the fact that I met and worked with some big guns, and I never compromised my principles or beliefs, and that I was always a dedicated team player.

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?

If it were the right situation and market, sure I would. But, I would hope there would be some perks to make up the difference, like discounted housing, or something like that. I have a lot to offer someone, but I understand that you gotta respect today's business and not dwell in the past.

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

I will never again, take for granted what an awesome job this is to have! It's all I've ever wanted to do since I was nine years old, and I left in a huff because I didn't want to be a board op. I won't make that mistake again. I'll be grateful for what I have. It's been a tough lesson to learn.

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

The camaraderie of a great air staff, and mixing with the listeners. The joy of pulling off a great bit, even if you were the only one that knew it. The least? Honestly, not much except for the voice tracking, the occasional egomaniac, and the Morning Show. I am NOT a Morning person!!

Care to contribute a recipe for our "On The Beach" cookbook?

Absolutely!! Being from Texas I LOVE to cook, and have managed an odd award here and there for barbecue and chili. I'll be happy to share one of my chili recipes, but it's not my award winner!!

UTENSILS NEEDED:
1 LARGE SKILLET, 1 STEW POT OR CHILI POT WITH LID, 1 LADLE

INGREDIENTS:
THIS RECIPE IS FOR A SINGLE BATCH...I USUALLY HAVE TO DOUBLE IT ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS.

IN A LARGE SKILLET:

3 LBS. GROUND BEEF

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet adding chopped onions, heavy garlic powder (approx. 1/4 cup), salt and pepper, all of course, are to taste. Drain. While preparing the ground beef... prepare the sauce in the chili pot which follows.

IN A CHILI POT, OR STEW POT (with flame on):

5 CANS DICED TOMATOS ( DEL MONTE MAKES SPECIAL DICED TOMATOS THAT HAVE VARIOUS SPICES INCLUDED...I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM...SOME HAVE MEXICAN AND ITALIAN SPICES AND SOME WITH GARIC AND MUSHROOM AND ONION.)

1/4 Cup Chili Powder

1/4 Cup Garlic Powder

3 T. Oregano

1 T. Cumin

2 T. A-1 Sauce

4 T. BBQ sauce with Brown Sugar or Honey

2 T. PICKAPEPPA Sauce (optional, but found in most supermarkets)

Salt & Pepper to taste

Cayenne powder to taste (optional)

½ beer added after chili has simmered for about 30 minutes (hint: Dark beer is awesome to drink but SUCKS in this chili)

Bring Chili Pot ingredients to a boil and add cooked ground beef. Cover and let simmer for up to one hour on low heat.

Suggested side toppings: Chopped onion, Grated cheddar cheese, Jalapeno peppers.