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10 Questions with ... Dan LaBuda
May 7, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I miss it; very few if any occupations outside the business have any clue what broadcasters do besides "spin records and announce them." That requires a lot of re-tooling of my skillset, not to mention thinking of ways to transfer my skills and educate the interviewer. For me, nothing is as fast, changing day to day, or as challenging either, especially locally. And you wouldn't believe the amount of people who love to hear me talk about my time in radio. It's a huge conversation starter
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
DEMO:
Columbia College Chicago BA - Radio, worked at the college station. WXLC/WKRS Producer/Promotions, WRLR - DJ/MD, Acoustic Alternative Radio - MD while with WRLR (my longest stint); I won three awards, helped get the station recognition in the community since they just started a year prior to my joining. I won three awards for my work there, and was featured on the ABC Chicago's "Someone You Should Know" segment with Harry Porterfield. I used a lot of social media and had listeners in eight states and 15 countries for my show.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and to stay motivated?
I've been working on demos, mostly, I have contacted local and national DJs and they have been helping me with pointers to improve. Also I created a Halloween themed "radio station" that I played for the trick or treaters on Halloween. Granted it's an iTunes playlist, but I make it sound like a station with made-up themed commercials, liners, a legal ID, a few parodies and I play Halloween-inspired music, and accurately time it for the event in my area. I've heard great things from the kids. And it's fun!
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
Working full-time at a job outside the business. Getting new music, taking up acting. Surprisingly, there's a ton of similarities in the skillsets. Helps with interview skills, creating characters, doing voiceover work. Also I skateboard, work out, play basketball, play with my dog, catch up on TV shows, GOT fan here, and watching movies.
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.
I miss it; very few if any occupations outside the business have any clue what broadcasters do besides "spin records and announce them." That requires a lot of re-tooling of my skillset, not to mention thinking of ways to transfer my skills and educate the interviewer. For me, nothing is as fast, changing day to day, or as challenging either, especially locally. And you wouldn't believe the amount of people who love to hear me talk about my time in radio. It's a huge conversation starter.
4) Do you plan on sticking with radio?
If possible.
5) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
I'm currently in it. Grab a Blue Hawaiian and enjoy the sun. I've been here a while.
6) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?
Talk to people currently in the business via social media ... oh, and actually show up and talk to the people. Preferably with an appointment, as barging in unannounced like Kramer, usually annoys people. From personal experience.
7) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
Networking and All Access.
8) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?
Unsuccessfully, mind you ... I sat outside the building of my favorite local station and kept calling in the on-air show trying to get inside to talk to someone. I did talk to whom I wanted ... but not in a positive way. The PD hasn't talked to me since, sadly. If he's reading this, I apologize.
9) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
On-air and MD duties for an Alternative Rock/Active Rock station, preferably, I'd certainly also love to work in Top 40, but I really shine in middays or afternoon drive. My current job has me working early mornings, and I've discovered, outside of maybe fill-ins once in a while, you don't want me on-air that early unless sleeping gets you great ratings. For me, mornings are great if they start later in the day, ha ha.
10) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?
People get paid, why am I just finding this out? Ha! Seriously, though, it depends on the station most of the time. I have come across a lot of part-time positions, especially when I was looking for FT. Which locally I have no problem with, but moving out of state for only a part-time position, I'm trying to avoid.
Bonus Questions
Care to contribute a recipe for our "On The Beach" cookbook
"Aloha Burger"
Marinade the burger before cooking for 30 minutes or more in pineapple juice mixed with a little teriyaki sauce, grill to desired doneness and place on a bun, add lettuce under the burger. I prefer pretzel rolls, but it's just my taste.
Return to grill and place a pineapple slice (you can buy a can of these pre-cut, which also by the way, provides the right amount of juice for the marinade) grill for one minute each side and place on burger. Top your burger with cooked bacon and serve.
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