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10 Questions with ... On The Beach
December 10, 2019
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This week, we look back at 2019 with the best answers to some of our best questions.
Dylan Hunter
Last With: Radio People, Meridian, MS (1/29/19)
What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and to stay motivated?
You have to be a "glass half-full" person at all times. Being on the beach can be extremely discouraging. Perseverance and a positive mental attitude are tantamount in this endeavor."Partyboy Bueller" Forrest Letson
Last With: Energy 92.7/San Francisco (2/12/19)
How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
At the moment I am serving my community as a substitute teacher. I believe educating youth is extremely important. I'm not just my student's teacher; I have the honor of being their role model. I support them at local events and constantly cheer for our future.Kimberly Owens
Last With: WKTI/Milwaukee (2/26/19)
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'd be lying if I told you I never got discouraged by following my Country music radio career dreams. The business itself is based a lot on who you know and how big your network is. It can get discouraging applying for a job and getting overlooked because someone else has that one or two skill sets that are higher than yours. Yeah sure, it's discouraging but then you continue to work on your skill sets in between jobs. I've applied for maybe 30-ish jobs over the course of a few months to a year; some you hear back from and you land an interview with one or two but you still don't get hired. Yeah, sure it's discouraging to not get hired, but you know what's even more discouraging? Not continuing to chase your dream just because you weren't picked for a job. You cannot live with the regret of not continuing to chase your dream, so here I am still chasing my dreams with an incredible determination and passion that I know deep within my heart will help me land a job. I was once told by a former PD and it stuck with me and still inspires me to this day, "We can train someone on how to use the equipment, but we can't train someone to have the kind of passion you have for Country music." It's important to not lose that passion, and what he said will always stick with me and when I win your radio station an award; maybe I'll say it on the awards show. I've been listening to not only my regular radio stations, but lots of SiriusXM to find inspiration on how I can grow in my career. The success of others in radio has really enlightened me and broadened my perspective on how to work my butt off to get further in my career. I'm also in the process of doing a little bit of Internet radio to gain a little more perspective and insight on radio as a whole, the fan base, the listener base, etc. I'm always trying to continuously learn something new about radio and I'm eager to learn!JD Hayworth
Last With: Newsmax TV (3/12/19)
You've done television and radio and authored a book and have been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. What makes you want to get back behind the mic?
It's important to note that I'm a broadcaster who got into politics, instead of a politician who wants to get into broadcasting. I used to tell voters that when my tenure in office came to an end, I would return to broadcasting, and that's exactly what happened. There is nothing that can compare with being behind a mic, offering opinions, sharing stories, and talking to listeners. I want to get back behind the mic because I've always got something to say!Cal Barner
Last With: Adams Radio Service (4/9/19)
Do you plan on sticking with radio?
I plan on sticking with broadcasting (radio included), so yes. I had no desire to work in radio until I got in college and needed an internship and my advisor recommended radio because they actually paid interns. So, after an impressive internship, the PD asked my advisor if I could come back for another internship because he really loved my attention to detail and thought I could have a great career in radio (not on-air but behind the scenes).J.R. Gonzales
Last With: KLJT-KMPA/Tyler-Longview (4/30/19)
What's the best way to get your foot in the door?
I believe being persistent and professional about it, and these days it seems like it's not how much you know but who you know. Network as much as you can with those in the seat to make decisions via social media, LinkedIn and e-mail. Stay in tune with what's going on in the industry.Tomm Looney
Last With: KLAC-A/Los Angeles, Fox Sports Radio (5/21/19)
What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
I've been on the radio beach all of 2019. I did tape a pilot for a game show. I'm writing a book, I'm doing some imaging for a radio station in Aruba, and I currently have an Ally Bank commercial running where I play a 2 Star Dentist.
Radio wise: Between KLSX, KFWB, XTRA Sports 1150, KFI, The Best Damn Sports Show, AM 570/Los Angeles and FOX Sports Radio, I had a 20-year run! So now is my turn to be on the radio beach, and that's okay. I'm not spending all my time in a Speedo on the beach.
(And FYI, that's not a bad visual. I'm a radio guy who can actually pull off wearing a Speedo. My physical fitness philosophy has always been to "be Speedo ready at all times.")Krystina Ramy
Last With: KRBE/Houston (7/23/19)
What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?
Most definitely it was when I spent a week cold-calling every radio-type employer I could find in the city of Los Angeles in order to set up meetings ... flying across the country to a city I'd never even been to ... and doing my best to impress potential employers with nothing more than an intern's portfolio in hand and less than a year of experience under my belt (not even a degree in communications!). But it worked!Rob Acampora
Last With: WWZY/Monmouth-Ocean (8/27/19)
What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
Open to ideas. I would do mornings again, but afternoons plus programming would be great as well. I just want to work and hopefully make a great salary.John Moug
Last With: XTRA/San Diego (9/24/19)
Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?
I've actually seen some pleasant surprises, especially out of the smaller markets or cities that have lower cost of living. -
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